What We Pulled Out of a Sewer Cleanout Will Surprise You

When a homeowner calls about slow drains or a backup, the cause isn't always what you'd expect. Grease, hair, roots - sure. But toys? That's a whole different story. We've seen a lot come out of cleanouts over the years, but every now and then a job reminds you that drains don't discriminate.

Here's what we were working with - a sewer cleanout that had become a catch-all for small debris and children's toys. A squeeze toy, a plastic ring, small figurines, and more. All of it sitting in the line, doing exactly what you'd expect - blocking flow and causing problems upstream. The cleanout cap itself had clearly been off or loose long enough for things to find their way in.

This is actually more common than most people realize. Kids play in the yard. Caps get knocked loose. Small items disappear. Nobody connects the dots until the drains start backing up or running slow. By the time we get the call, the line is usually well on its way to a full blockage.

The fix itself is straightforward once we know what we're dealing with. We clear the line, pull the debris, and get everything flowing the way it should. No guessing, no unnecessary upsells - just a clean line and a drain that works again. That's the job.

If your drains have been sluggish or you've had any kind of backup, it's worth getting eyes on your cleanout. You might be surprised what's been sitting in there.