A mixed neighborhood
The streets around the university include postwar and later single-family homes, apartment buildings, and houses rented to several tenants at once. Single-family homes of the postwar era may still have clay or cast-iron laterals. Apartment buildings typically drain several units into one building sewer.
Heavier use matters. A house with five adults showering and doing laundry sends more water and more paper down the line than a small family does, and a marginal lateral that would cope with light use may stop up under that load.
Renter versus owner in a backup
If you rent
- Stop water use and keep people away from sewage
- Tell the landlord or manager right away, then in writing
- Photograph the backup and any damage to your belongings
- Check whether renters insurance covers your property
If you own a rental
- Have a plumber and a contact plan ready for tenants
- Get the line cleared and filmed to find the cause
- Share simple do-not-flush guidance with tenants
- Keep records of every clearing and repair
For shared houses and apartments
- Post a short list of what not to flush near each toilet.
- Make sure every tenant knows where the main water shutoff is.
- Know who to call after hours.
- Report slow drains early rather than waiting for a full backup.
A backup in a shared rental
- First minutes
- Tenants stop all water use and alert everyone in the house.
- Within the hour
- Landlord or manager is contacted by phone and text or email.
- Clearing
- A licensed plumber clears the line and reports what came out.
- Afterward
- Cleanup of affected areas, and a camera inspection if the line has stopped before.
Who to contact
| Question | Contact |
|---|---|
| Problem inside a rental unit | Your landlord or property manager |
| Shared building sewer | Building owner or management |
| Public sewer or street overflow | City of Fullerton |
| Campus buildings | The university's own facilities staff |
Common questions
Can I call a plumber myself as a renter?
Check your lease and tell the landlord first. In a true emergency, document everything and keep the landlord informed.
Do apartments share one sewer line?
Usually several units drain into a shared building sewer. A backup in one unit can come from water used in another.
Who handles campus plumbing?
University buildings are managed by the university, not by private homeowners or the city's residential processes.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.