Cypress College sits in the middle of the city, surrounded by residential neighborhoods of single-family homes. Like much of Cypress, many of these homes were built as tracts in the 1960s and 70s, on concrete slabs, with drain lines run under the floor and a lateral out to the street.

Some homes near a college are rented, sometimes to several adults sharing a house. More people means more showers, more laundry and more kitchen use, which puts more load on older drains. It also means more people who may not know where the cleanout is or what should stay out of the toilet.

Common drain issues and why

IssueWhy it shows up here
Shower and tub hair clogsSeveral people sharing one or two bathrooms
Laundry standpipe overflowFrequent large loads in an older laundry line
Toilet clogs from wipesHousehold members unaware of what older pipes tolerate
Main-line root clogsMature trees and older clay or cast-iron laterals

For landlords

  1. Map the house.Leave a sheet showing the main water shutoff and sewer cleanout for tenants.
  2. Post a drain chart.A simple list of what not to flush or pour down the sink prevents many calls.
  3. Set a reporting rule.Ask tenants to report slow drains early rather than waiting for a backup.
  4. Keep records.Log every cleaning and its cause. Repeat main-line clogs justify a camera inspection.

For tenants

Questions to ask the city

  1. Does lateral repair or a new cleanout at this address need a permit?
  2. Where does the property owner's responsibility for the lateral end?
  3. Who do I contact if neighbors report backups at the same time?
Map of Cypress College area. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Who pays for drain cleaning in a rental?

That depends on the lease and the cause. Check your lease, and California tenant resources, for your situation.

Are homes near the college older?

Many are from the 1960s and 70s, but ages vary. Check your property records for your home.

Who should I call about city sewer issues?

Start with the City of Cypress.

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