Need advice on Garage Sewer Cleanout - how to make it look better

Submitted by sc10990 t3_yrrn0p in DIY

Hi all-

We are finally redoing our garage and we have an ugly, sloppy sewer cleanout/vent/exit to the street in our garage, that we really want to make look better, especially since it is right in the main walkway in our garage. I have no idea even where to start with this - is this a job for a mason or a plumber? Any hints or ideas as to what I can do with this mess? Thanks in advance.

Edit - Thanks for all your replies - I'm going to take another look at it today after reading the suggestions here and come up with a plan.

https://preview.redd.it/fp4vsjwft6z91.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb93f939246f00f6bd38ca014541de39b644c594

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Comments

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yensid7 t1_ivv6ygl wrote

I'd put a cover over it. Maybe a platform with a hinged lid. Cheap, easy, functional.

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BecomeABenefit t1_ivv8lw7 wrote

Plywood, 2x4's, screws, sand, paint.

Build a box around it and paint it. If it fits the area properly, make it a bench or cabinet. But make sure there's easy access via a door or lifting the box off.

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sc10990 OP t1_ivy0nps wrote

Yeah great idea, and definitely need the space to be accessible.

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A_Plumber2020 t1_ivvnjik wrote

Is there a threaded plug on the other side of the wall? If so it is probably the end of the line clean out. Looks like it was moved at one point given the cut concrete. You could have a plumber tie onto it below the slab and run it outside and turn it up.

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sc10990 OP t1_ivy0ar8 wrote

There isn't a threaded plug outside, just a vent unfortunately. There are 2 cleanout caps in the hole - 1 that faces the house and 1 that faces the street. Would be great to eliminate this as it is really unsightly, but lots of good suggestions in this thread. Thanks for your reply.

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Scooter_127 t1_ivv7h90 wrote

I'd build a cabinet to fit around and over it. it's right in a corner, after all, and I have to assume you pretty much never have to get to it.

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sc10990 OP t1_ivy0loy wrote

Great idea.. but I am planning on using the space behind this mess, building shelves against the wall. Unfortunately we don't have an attic or basement so the garage is the only storage we have. Need to make the most of the space. Thanks for your reply.

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Scooter_127 t1_ivyahki wrote

>the garage is the only storage we have

Do they not store things in cabinets in your part of the world? that was my whole point.

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sc10990 OP t1_ivyswwz wrote

>but I am planning on using the space behind this mess, building shelves against the wall

A cabinet won't work for me, need shelves against the wall to the right of the drain.

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Graflex01867 t1_ivvw2f1 wrote

Put a plywood box over it. Paint it to match, and you’re done. You need access to it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for light storage.

You could get creative with it - a nice wood veneer, or get some vinyl sheet flooring to put on the sides (wood grain, or some funky pattern.)

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Only-Yellow730 t1_ivxexkh wrote

A mason works with concrete and a plumber with plumbing you may need both

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Atlantatwinguy t1_ivypbtu wrote

Where is the pipe coming in the wall coming from and where is it going when it enters the slab?

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sc10990 OP t1_iw0ujlg wrote

The big pipe is, what I perceive to be, the vent. It goes to a mesh vent on the outside of my house.

Oh you meant the other end, in the slab. Not sure, but it is right above the main sewer line and cleanouts, so I still suspect it to be the sewer vent.

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Atlantatwinguy t1_iw0v5qa wrote

What is on the other side of the wall?

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sc10990 OP t1_iw0vaqq wrote

That is an exterior wall. That pipe vents outside of my house, about 5 inches above ground level.

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ArtBaco t1_ivvrbds wrote

It must have been "dug out" before to replace the main line. If you have room, leave it exposed and build a bench seat to cover it. If you are sure the original problem was fixed, just fill it it with quikrete.

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sc10990 OP t1_ivy0gj6 wrote

I think this is how my house was originally set up, unfortunately. There are 2 cleanout caps at the bottom of the hole, 1 facing the house and 1 facing the street. I cannot bury the cleanouts unfortunately.

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krista t1_ivv8m1w wrote

post this on /r/plumbing

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