The first hour, minute by minute

Right away
Tell everyone in the house to stop flushing, showering, running the dishwasher or doing laundry.
First 5 minutes
Move people and pets away from the affected room. Open windows for ventilation.
First 15 minutes
If a supply pipe is also leaking, close the main water shutoff. Unplug nearby electrical items only if you can do so from a dry spot.
First 30 minutes
Find the sewer cleanout. Note whether water is standing in it, which suggests the blockage is downstream toward the street.
Within the hour
Photograph the damage for insurance, then contact a licensed plumber whose license you have checked at cslb.ca.gov.

Reading where the problem is

  • IfOnly one fixture backed up and others drain normallyThenLikely a branch-line clog near that fixture.
  • IfWater came up in the lowest shower or tub when a toilet flushed or the washer drainedThenLikely a blockage in the main lateral.
  • IfThe cleanout is full of standing waterThenThe blockage is downstream of the cleanout, toward the street.
  • IfThe cleanout is dry but the house is backing upThenThe blockage may be between the house and the cleanout.

Things not to do

  • Do not keep plunging a toilet in a house with a main-line backup
  • Do not pour chemical drain cleaner into standing sewage
  • Do not open a full cleanout while standing over it
  • Do not run a rented drain machine into a line you suspect is broken
  • Do not throw away damaged items before photographing them

After the line is open

Getting water moving is step one. Ask the plumber to run a camera through the lateral once it drains, so you know whether roots, grease, a sag or a broken pipe caused the backup. A main line that backed up once without a clear cause will often do it again.

Sewage-soaked carpet, pads and porous drywall usually cannot be safely saved. Hard surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected, but a large spill is a job for a professional cleanup company. Keep receipts and photos for your insurer, and call them early to ask what your policy covers.

Common questions

Is a sewer backup an emergency?

When sewage is coming into living space, treat it as urgent: stop water use and get the line cleared. It also becomes more serious if water is near electrical outlets or appliances.

Can I use the toilet if I only flush once?

No. Any water you add has to go somewhere, and with a main-line blockage it comes up the lowest drain in the house.

Does the city clear blockages in my lateral?

Responsibility for the lateral depends on local rules and where the blockage is. Check with the City of Buena Park, especially if the problem may be at or past the property line.

General information for Buena Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.