Sewer Backup Response Checklist for Fullerton Homes

Minute one to five

Tell everyone in the house to stop flushing, showering, running taps, the dishwasher and the washing machine.
Tape a note to each toilet lid if family members or guests might forget.
Close the main water shutoff if any fixture keeps running or a supply line is leaking.
Move children and pets to another part of the house or outside.
Open windows in the affected room if it is safe to reach them.

Photograph and video the backup: where it came up, how far it spread, what it touched.
Note the time it started and which fixtures were being used.
Move rugs, boxes and furniture out of the water's path if you can do it without wading through sewage.
Check the outdoor cleanout from a distance; note whether sewage is pooling there, but do not open it.
Ask a neighbor whether their drains are working normally.

IfOnly your home is affectedThenContact a licensed plumber you have checked at cslb.ca.gov to clear the line.
IfNeighbors are backing up too, or sewage is in the streetThenReport it to the City of Fullerton; the public main may be blocked.
IfSewage soaked carpet, drywall or furnitureThenCall your insurer before cleanup starts and ask how they want the damage assessed.
IfYou also smell gasThenLeave the house and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.

Write in your own details. Keep a copy with the photos.
Item	Your notes
Date and time the backup started
Fixture where sewage appeared first
Fixtures in use when it happened
Rooms and items affected
Cleanout location
Neighbors affected? (yes / no)
Plumber's name and CSLB license number
Insurance claim number

Show them the cleanout.Point out where it is and whether sewage has been pooling around it.
Share your notes.Which fixtures backed up, when it started and any past clogs.
Ask about a camera run.Once the line is clear, a camera inspection can show why it blocked.
Get it in writing.Ask for a written note of what was found and done, and a copy of any footage.

Should I try a plunger or chemical drain cleaner first?

Not on a main-line backup. Plunging pushes against the blockage and chemical cleaners make the water more hazardous for whoever clears the line.

Can I stay in the house during a backup?

Often yes, if the affected area is contained and nobody uses water. Keep people away from the sewage and ventilate the room.

Why keep notes during a backup?

They help the plumber diagnose the cause and support an insurance claim if damage needs repair.

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