Cleanout Hole

Category: infrastructure

An opening formed at the base of a block wall to clear away fallen mortar debris before executing a grout pour.

As masons scrape joints, excess mortar inevitably falls down inside the hollow block cells. Before pumping fluid structural grout down from the top of the wall, crew members use base cleanout holes to pull out this debris, guaranteeing a clean concrete-to-foundation connection.

Common Examples

• The inspector used a mirror and flashlight to look through the base cleanout hole, verifying the block core was free of mortar debris.
• Once debris removal is cleared, the cleanout holes are sealed shut using face shells or block plugs before the primary grout pump initializes.