What to do
- Stop using water.No flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher. Tell everyone in the house.
- Close the main if water is running.If any fixture is running and you cannot stop it there, close the main water shutoff.
- Stay out of the sewage.Wear gloves and boots if you must go near it.
- Find the cleanout.Do not force the cap open if the line may be full.
- Call a licensed plumber.Ask for the line to be cleared and camera-inspected.
- Take photos.Photograph affected areas before cleanup, for insurance records.
Fill in for your house
- Main water shutoff
- Location: ____________________
- Sewer cleanout
- Location: ____________________
- Lowest drain in the house
- ____________________
- Plumber you have checked
- Name and CSLB #: ____________
- City of Fullerton contact
- For sewer main questions: ______
Tell the plumber
- Which drains are affected and since when
- Whether the yard cleanout is overflowing
- When the line was last cleaned or inspected
- The age of the house, if known
- That you would like the camera video afterward
After the line is clear
Once flow is restored, the emergency is over even if the pipe still needs work. That is the time to ask for a camera inspection, review what it shows, and decide calmly whether cleaning, a spot repair, lining or bursting makes sense.
Keep this card updated. If a new cleanout is installed or you learn the shutoff location changed, rewrite it so the next person in a hurry gets the right answer.
Common questions
Where is the main water shutoff usually?
On many Fullerton homes it is near where the water line enters the house or at the meter. Find yours before you need it.
Who do I call if the problem might be the city's sewer?
Contact the City of Fullerton about the public sewer main. A plumber's camera can help show whether the blockage is in your lateral or the main.
Should I flush to test if it is fixed?
Not until a plumber has cleared the line and says it is safe to use.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.