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Framing wall around sewer stack cleanout.

T

TechBoyJK

Lifer
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We're going to run a wall (with pocket door) along the black line and in front of the sewer stack. I want the wall straight and flush and plan to build an access door to the cleanout. I'm struggling to figure out how to keep the wall as close to the stairs as possible without compromising the ability to access the cleanout quickly.

1) I don't want to give up much space, so I want to build the wall around the sewer stack and not just in front of it. If we built out in front of it, even with an access door, the actual cleanout would be 6" inches or so behind the wall because it'd have to be behind the wall enough to be able to get a wrench in there.

2) Obviously we need room to get a wrench of some sort on the cleanout to open it. So we need room for that. If the cleanout is right up to the drywall but behind it, how could we wrench it?

3) I'm wondering if there's not any adapters I can use to make this an easier job. Can I replace the cleanout cap with something flush that needs an adapter to plugin to wrench it? Can I get an extension for the cap to bring it out a few inches so we can wrench it from in front of the wall? Like it could sit behind the access door, almost flush behind it.. but if we want to wrench it we put on the adapter which makes it stick out enough passed the drywall to get a wrench on it?

Thoughts?
 
We just paid over $2,000 to have the entire stack moved (price included concrete work).

Problem is the 'under stairs' area is going to be built out for storage, so having it face the other way isn't an option.

How do you turn the first cover (white one)? is there a special adapter you use?
 
You dont always need a full blown plumbers wrench to open a sewer cleanout. With cast iron, you may need the extra torque of a wrench to overcome a leaded seal on the threads or years of rust. But on a PVC stack like you have, I have used a "basin wrench" to reach into a pipe chase like you are talking about building and opening the cleanout that way. Id get an opinion from a plumber before building a wall around the pipe.
 
NetWareHead said:
Id like to know what the code authority has to say about using that sort of plug in a cleanout. Thats a test plug for sealing the stack during a pressure test and Id venture to say not meant for a permanent install.
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I've seen those used before but not in a finished basement.
 
TechBoyJK said:
Problem is the 'under stairs' area is going to be built out for storage, so having it face the other way isn't an option.
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That's insane.

You'll probably never need to use the clean out. And so what If you have to move some boxes of crap 10 years from now to get to the pipe?

Don't compound a bad decision with yet another bad decision.
 
The sewer stack is already moved. I'm not going to cut the stack and move the cleanout. The cleanout is placed at a height that meets code, and if you look at the pic, there's stairs directly behind it. It'd be insane to face the cleanout into the stairs where it would be impossible to access directly.

We needed to use a cleanout within the first 2 weeks of being there and not being able to quickly access them (locked tight) caused a backup that put feces all over the floor as it bubbled up out of the washer's drain. Cost us about $300 to have someone come out and clean out our sewage lines.

The plan is to actually build shelves into below the stairs, not just stack stuff. We're shy on storage space and are actually looking forward to having the shelves put in place.
 
Humpy said:
That's insane.

You'll probably never need to use the clean out. And so what If you have to move some boxes of crap 10 years from now to get to the pipe?

Don't compound a bad decision with yet another bad decision.
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As someone who has had to pay for professional sewer pipe snaking, water jetting and putting a camera into the line, always have a good amount of space in front of the cleanout for the sewer guy to work. Stack stuff in front of it but never locate a cleanout in an inaccessible area or where it will be a pain in the ass to unclog a sewer line from.
 
TechBoyJK said:
The cleanout is placed at a height that meets code, and if you look at the pic, there's stairs directly behind it.
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Nearly any height meets code.

It's placed far too high to easily use a drain machine, the snake usually exits the machine around 12" from the floor.
 
NetWareHead said:
As someone who has had to pay for professional sewer pipe snaking, water jetting and putting a camera into the line, always have a good amount of space in front of the cleanout for the sewer guy to work. Stack stuff in front of it but never locate a cleanout in an inaccessible area or where it will be a pain in the ass to unclog a sewer line from.
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You need some space (18" to the side, 36" in front?) but not an entire room.

Clean outs are almost always located in cramped areas, crawlspaces, cabinets, behind appliances, or in closets. It's location is of little concern as long as it's accessible.
 
Humpy said:
You need some space (18"?) but not an entire room.

Clean outs are almost always located in cramped areas, crawlspaces, cabinets, behind appliances, or in closets. It's location is of little concern as long as it's accessible.
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I can see your point. I've had the experience of my cleanouts being located in an open basement where the sewer guy has plenty of room to put his snaking machine and all other tools. Its not pleasant work to snake a clogged sewer line or clean the equipment after it emerges from the sewer. The guy who came to do mine had the toilet flushed on him by one of my forgetful tenants; sprayed out through the open cleanout all over him.

Something about wanting to make that guy's job easier if I can help it because he sure does work for his money! The idea behind my post was to recommend putting the cleanout in a better location than under stairs in a small storage room unless its totally unavoidable.
 
NetWareHead said:
The guy who came to do mine had the toilet flushed on him by one of my forgetful tenants; sprayed out through the open cleanout all over him.
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LOL. I'm pretty sure every plumber is a coprophiliac whether they realize it or not.

Reminds me of when my father and uncles decided to dig up my grandparents backyard with a backhoe to put an end to the annual Thanksgiving sewer backup once and for all. They were down in the trench putting in a new section of sewer and having beers while there were about 20 other people in the house who wouldn't stop flushing the toilets.
 
Humpy said:
LOL. I'm pretty sure every plumber is a coprophiliac whether they realize it or not.

Reminds me of when my father and uncles decided to dig up my grandparents backyard with a backhoe to put an end to the annual Thanksgiving sewer backup once and for all. They were down in the trench putting in a new section of sewer and having beers while there were about 20 other people in the house who wouldn't stop flushing the toilets.
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Really the wrong time & place to have a cold one dont you think lol?? Otherwise agree with your coprophilia comment. My plumber and I were eating lunch while installing at my house and he had something in his teeth. He grabbed the first thing he found in his tool box which happened to be the head of a plumber's snake and used it like a toothpick. So nasty I nearly lost my appetite. He joked about having an impenetrable immune system but Im sure there is a whole lot of truth to his comment.
 
Humpy said:
Nearly any height meets code.

It's placed far too high to easily use a drain machine, the snake usually exits the machine around 12" from the floor.
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Either way having it face the other direction would have made it far less accessible, and my experience tells me this is a legitimate concern. I've already swam in shit down in that basement.
 
NetWareHead said:
Really the wrong time & place to have a cold one dont you think lol??
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Fucking Italians.

Thanksgiving, on a cold day in Chicago, the men would like nothing more than to gather together in a sewage lined hole and drink beer while avoiding all the women and children in the house.
 
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