- 1). Warn family members not to flush toilets or run water into a drain while you are working. Water entering the clean-out you are working on will be an unpleasant surprise. The repair should only take 15 minutes or less. Wear safety goggles -- not glasses -- for this repair.
- 2). Remove the clean-out plug with the adjustable wrench or the cap with the channel lock pliers, turning it in a counterclockwise direction. Have a bucket ready to catch any spilled water or waste. Clean the threads of the plug or cap and the threads on the clean-out with a damp rag. On iron or cast iron pipe, use a wire brush to clean the threads.
- 3). Apply a generous coating of pipe joint compound to the threads on both the clean-out and on the plug or cap. Cover all the threads. Pipe joint compound will fully fill the threads and create a seal within the threads so water can't leak past.
- 4). Place the plug or cap back on the clean-out and hand tighten it as far as you can. Use the wrench or channel locks to tighten it fully. Run water through the pipe to test for leaks.