Bigger lots, longer lines
Laguna Lake Park sits in the hills of north Fullerton, and the residential streets around it include homes on larger and more irregular lots than a typical flat tract. When a house sits well back from the street, the sewer lateral is longer, which means more joints, more places for roots to enter and more distance for a cable or camera to travel.
Homes here vary in age and construction. Some are on slabs, and some hillside houses may have raised or stepped foundations. Find out which you have before a problem, because it affects how drains under the house are reached.
What tends to be different here
- Lateral length
- Often longer than in-town tract lots
- Terrain
- Hillside and sloped lots common
- Foundations
- Mix; check your own house
- Trees
- Large, mature trees and dense landscaping
Ask about a long lateral
- Can the cable and camera reach the full length to the street?
- Is there a second cleanout partway along the line?
- How many joints and material changes does the camera show?
- Where along the line are the trees closest to the pipe?
- Does the line cross a driveway, retaining wall or slope that affects repairs?
Repair choices on a large or sloped lot
- IfDefects are spread along a long clay lineThenAsk whether lining or bursting avoids a long trench through landscaping.
- IfOne defect sits under a retaining wall or steep slopeThenAsk how access will be made safely and what restoration is included.
- IfA sag holds water partway downThenLining will not fix slope; ask about a spot repair.
Who to contact
| Question | Contact |
|---|---|
| Public sewer and lateral responsibility | City of Fullerton |
| Permits, including work near slopes or walls | City of Fullerton building division |
| Water service | City of Fullerton water utility |
| Underground utility marking before digging | The regional one-call service, through your contractor |
| Your own line | A licensed plumber whose CSLB license you have checked |
Common questions
Does a longer lateral clog more often?
Not necessarily, but it has more joints and length where problems can develop, and it takes longer to clear and inspect.
Can a camera reach a long line?
Many can, depending on equipment and pipe condition. Ask the plumber before the inspection.
Are hillside homes on raised foundations?
Some are and some are not. Check your own house.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.