The first hour

  1. Stop using water.Every flush, shower, dishwasher cycle and load of laundry sends more water into a line that cannot drain. Tell everyone in the house.
  2. Find the lowest drain that is overflowing.Sewage usually appears first at the lowest fixture, such as a shower, tub or floor drain. That tells the plumber the blockage is downstream of it.
  3. Protect what you can.Move belongings away from the water and keep doors closed to contain odors, while avoiding direct contact with sewage.
  4. Locate the cleanout.Find it and clear access, but do not open it; the line behind the cap may be full.
  5. Record what happened.Photograph the backup and write down which fixtures overflowed, when it started and what was running at the time.
  6. Call a licensed plumber.Choose one whose CSLB license you can check at cslb.ca.gov. This site is a preview for Fullerton Sewer Camera Inspection: the number shown is a temporary placeholder and our request form is not yet connected, so in an active backup call a licensed plumber you can reach now.

What not to do

  • Do not pour chemical drain openers into a backed-up main line.
  • Do not keep plunging a toilet that is filling the tub.
  • Do not open the cleanout cap on a full line.
  • Do not run a rented drain machine into a line you cannot see without knowing what is down there.
  • Do not let anyone clean up sewage without gloves and boots.

Why the line is usually cleared before filming

A sewer camera needs to see the pipe. In a backed-up line the camera would be underwater or pushed against the blockage, and the picture would show little more than murky water. So the usual order is to clear the blockage first, let the line drain, then run the camera to see what caused it.

That second step is easy to skip once water flows again, but it is the part that tells you whether this was a one-off clog or a sign of roots, a break, a sag or an offset that will cause the next backup. Ask whether the camera inspection can be done on the same visit, and whether it is priced separately.

Is it the main line or just one drain?

  • Ifonly one sink or tub is slow and nothing else is affectedThenit is more likely a branch drain clog than a main-line problem.
  • Ifa toilet flush makes the tub or shower gurgle or fillThenthe blockage is likely in the main line.
  • Ifseveral fixtures back up at once, especially the lowest onesThentreat it as a main-line backup and stop using water.
  • Ifsewage appears outdoors at the cleanout or in the yardThenkeep people away and call a licensed plumber.

What to ask when you call

  1. Can you clear the line and run a camera on the same visit?
  2. Will I see the footage and get a copy?
  3. Is cleanup of sewage something you do, or should I arrange it separately?
  4. If you find damage, will you mark where it is?
  5. What is your CSLB license number?

Common questions

Should I call the city about a backup?

If you think the problem may be in the public main, or neighbors are having backups too, check with the City of Fullerton. Private lateral problems are usually handled by the property owner.

Will my insurance cover a sewer backup?

That depends on your policy. Photos, dates and the camera footage can help when you talk to your insurer.

How soon after clearing should the camera go in?

Often right away, once the line has drained enough for the camera to see. Ask the plumber.

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