Fill in for your house
- Main water shutoff
- Location: ____________________
- Outdoor sewer cleanout
- Location: ____________________
- Second cleanout, if any
- Location: ____________________
- Lowest drain in the house
- Fixture: ____________________
- Electrical panel
- Location: ____________________
- Plumber you have checked
- Name and CSLB license #: ____________
If sewage is coming up
Stop all water
Tell everyone: no flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher until the line is cleared.
Clear the area
Keep children and pets away. Close the door to the affected room.
Shut off the main if needed
If anything is still running or leaking, close the main water shutoff.
Stay away from wet electrical
Do not walk through water near outlets or cords. Only switch a breaker from a dry spot.
Photograph
Take photos and video before cleaning anything.
Call a licensed plumber
Describe which drains backed up and where the cleanout is.
Do not
- Pour chemical drain cleaner into a backed-up line.
- Open the outdoor cleanout cap while the line is full.
- Use a household vacuum on sewage.
- Keep testing drains to see if it cleared.
Filling it in
Walk around the house with whoever else lives there when you fill the card in. Find the main water shutoff together and make sure it turns; many Fullerton homes have it near the front hose bib or where the line enters the house. Find the sewer cleanout and clear any plants or mulch away from it.
Note the lowest drain, usually a ground-floor shower or tub, because that is where a main line backup will appear first. If you have already checked a plumber's CSLB license at cslb.ca.gov, write the name and number on the card so no one has to search in a hurry.
What the plumber will ask
- Which drains are backed up, and which still work?
- Where is the water coming up?
- Is there an outdoor cleanout, and can it be reached?
- Has this happened before?
Common questions
Where should I post the card?
Somewhere everyone in the house will see it, such as inside a kitchen cabinet door, on the fridge or next to the electrical panel.
Should renters fill it in too?
Yes, and add the landlord or property manager's contact so they are told right away.
Does this card replace calling for help?
No. It helps you act safely in the first minutes before a licensed plumber arrives.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.