How to Remove a Cleanout Plug That’s Stuck

Can't get that cleanout plug to budge? Here's how to deal with that.

Next Project
Time

1 - 2 hours

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$20-50

Introduction

A seasoned pro shows you how to remove a stuck cleanout plug using pipe wrenches, heat and/or a hacksaw to gain access to a stubborn clog in a drain line.

Tools Required

  • Hammer (2)
  • Nut driver
  • Pipe wrench (2)
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Slip joint pliers
  • Soldering torch

Materials Required

  • Mission couplings
  • Replacement fittings and pipe and cleanout plug
  • Rust penetrant
  • Teflon tape

Remove a stuck cleanout plug

Snaking a clog in a drain line isn’t exactly neurosurgery. Just remove the cleanout plug and ram the snake down the line. But what if you can’t remove the plug?

“I see rusted-in cleanout plugs a lot in older homes with galvanized pipe,” says master plumber Les Zell. He recommends investing no more than 30 minutes trying to free one. After that, go to Plan B: Cut out a whole section of pipe and replace it with new plastic piping rather than beat yourself up and possibly break fittings.

“It’s much cheaper for my customers if I just hack out the old stuff rather than struggle with rusted connections for two hours,” Les says.

Project step-by-step (5)

Step 1

Heat the cleanout plug and fitting

Clean away any cobwebs and shield surrounding wood with a metal baking pan. Then grab a soldering torch and apply just enough heat to warm the cleanout plug and fitting. Don’t get it cherry red; the goal here is to simply soften the old pipe dope.

How To Remove A Cleanout Plug Thats Stuck Heat The Cleanout Plug And FittingTMB Studio

Step 2

Apply rust penetrant and vibration

If heating doesn’t loosen it, wait for the pipe to cool. Then soak the cleanout plug threads with rust penetrant.

Next, smack opposite sides of the tee or wye fitting at the same time using two hammers. Rotate the double blows around the entire fitting. Then try using a pipe wrench again. The vibrations from the shocks will break up the corrosion and allow the rust penetrant to do its work.

How To Remove A Cleanout Plug Thats Stuck Apply Rust Penetrant And VibrationTMB Studio

Step 3

Apply muscle and leverage

Slip one pipe wrench onto the fitting and the second one on the cleanout plug. Then give it all you’ve got.

If the plug breaks loose, you’re home free; go ahead and snake the line. But don’t reuse the metal plug. Buy a plastic plug and coat the threads with Teflon paste before installing. Then snug it up with a slip joint pliers (not the pipe wrench).

How To Remove A Cleanout Plug Thats Stuck Apply Muscle And LeverageTMB Studio

Step 4

Cut out the old section

If the stuck cleanout plug won’t budge, saw off the old section. Use a reciprocating saw and a metal-cutting blade to cut out the fittings and the pipe leading to and from the cleanout wye or tee. You can replace them with new plumbing parts.

How To Remove A Cleanout Plug Thats Stuck Cut Out The Old SectionTMB Studio

Step 5

Replace the cleanout plug and fitting

Once it’s free, use the old fitting as a cutting guide to glue up a replacement wye, stub pipes and a new cleanout adapter.

Don’t mess around with steel replacement parts. Go right to black ABS or white PVC plastic fittings and pipes and join them with rubber mission couplings.

Slide the mission couplings onto the old pipe and slip in the new plastic fitting and repair couplings. Tighten the worm-drive clamps to the proper torque.. Then wrap Teflon tape around the new plug and screw it into the adapter.

How To Remove A Cleanout Plug Thats Stuck Replace The Cleanout Plug And FittingTMB Studio