Why locate before a project

Many Fullerton owners remodel older houses: adding a bathroom, extending a room, pouring a patio, installing a pool or planting trees. Any of these can sit on top of, cut into or crowd the sewer lateral. A footing poured over the line, a post hole through it or a new tree planted beside it can turn a working pipe into a future repair.

Locating the lateral first tells your designer and contractor where it runs and roughly how deep. If the project adds plumbing, a camera inspection at the same time shows whether the existing line is in good enough shape to tie into.

When to locate in a project

Early planning
Locate and sketch the lateral route before drawings are finalized, so footings and structures can avoid it.
Before permits
Share the route with your designer; ask the city what it needs to see for plumbing changes.
Before any digging
Call 811 so public utilities are marked, and have private lines like the sewer located separately.
Before tie-in
Film the section where new plumbing will connect to confirm it is sound.
After the work
Run a camera again to check that the line was not damaged during construction.

Projects where locating is worth doing

  • Room additions or accessory structures with new footings.
  • New bathrooms, kitchens or laundry rooms that add drains.
  • Concrete patios, driveways and walkways.
  • Fence posts, retaining walls and decks.
  • Planting trees or large shrubs near the house or toward the street.
  • Pools and spas, which involve deep excavation.

Locating first versus finding out later

Locate first

  • Design around the pipe
  • Tie new drains into a line you have seen
  • Avoid building over a future repair
  • Keep a record of the route for later

Skip it

  • Risk cutting or crushing the line
  • Possible repair under new concrete
  • Unknown condition at the tie-in
  • Delays when a problem surfaces mid-project

A patio over the line

Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.

An owner plans a large concrete patio in the backyard of a 1960s Fullerton house. The sewer lateral is assumed to run out the front, but nobody has checked.

  1. A camera is run from the cleanout and located; part of the lateral turns under the backyard before heading to the street.
  2. The footage shows roots at two joints in that section.
  3. The owner gets written options for the root problem before the patio is poured.
  4. The patio design is adjusted so the section with the cleanout stays reachable.

The line is dealt with while the ground is still open, and future access is planned rather than discovered.

Questions for the plumber and your contractor

  1. Can you locate and sketch the full route, not just one spot?
  2. How deep is the pipe where we plan to dig or pour?
  3. Is the existing line suitable to tie new drains into?
  4. Will you inspect again after construction?

Common questions

Can I just follow the drain pipes from the house?

The point where the pipe leaves the house is a clue, but laterals can bend and change direction. Locating with a camera transmitter is more reliable.

Do I need a permit for a project that affects the sewer line?

Plumbing changes often do. Ask your contractor and check with the City of Fullerton.

How do I keep a record of the route?

Ask the plumber for a simple sketch with distances from fixed points, and photograph the marks before they fade.

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