Big trees, older lines
Hillcrest Park sits on a hill near downtown, and the surrounding streets include homes from several eras, many of them well established. Mature trees line yards and parkways, which gives the area much of its character.
Those same trees are a common reason older sewer laterals clog. In homes that still have original clay or cast-iron pipe, roots can find their way into joints and cracks, and hilly streets can mean longer or deeper runs from the house to the main.
At a glance
- Housing
- Established homes of varying ages
- Foundations
- A mix of raised and slab; check your own house
- Laterals
- Older clay or cast iron common where not replaced
- Trees
- Many mature yard and street trees
- Water utility
- City of Fullerton
If roots are suspected
- Clear the line.Restore flow and remove enough root mass for a camera to pass.
- Inspect.Find each root entry point and its distance from the cleanout.
- Identify the trees.Note which trees are near the entry points, and whether they are on your lot, a neighbor's or the parkway.
- Choose a path.Weigh periodic clearing against lining or replacing the affected sections.
Checks for homes in this area
Who to contact
- City of Fullerton: public sewer issues, permits and street tree questions.
- City of Fullerton water utility: water service.
- SoCalGas: gas service; if you smell gas, leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.
- A licensed plumber verified at cslb.ca.gov.
Common questions
Does living near a park mean more root problems?
Not by itself. What matters is how close large trees are to your own lateral and what the pipe is made of.
Can lining stop roots?
A liner seals joints and cracks that roots use, if the pipe is a good candidate for lining.
Who decides about a street tree's roots?
Ask the City of Fullerton before doing anything to a parkway tree.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.