What a backup tells you
When dirty water appears in the lowest fixture in the house, usually a tub, shower or floor drain, the blockage is almost always in the main line or the sewer lateral that runs from the house to the city sewer. Water from every other fixture has nowhere to go, so it rises at the lowest opening.
In older Garden Grove neighborhoods, laterals are often cast iron or clay. Clay joints let roots in, and cast iron scales and corrodes from the inside until wipes, grease and paper catch and build up. A backup that clears and then returns weeks later usually means the underlying cause is still there.
Stop it getting worse
Stop all water use
No flushing, no showers, no dishwasher or washer. Tell everyone in the house, and turn off irrigation that might tie into the same line.
Look for a cleanout
A capped pipe outside near the foundation or by the front walk is often the sewer cleanout. Do not open it yourself if it is full; a plumber can relieve pressure there safely.
Protect the area
Close doors to the affected room and lay towels at the threshold. Ventilate if you can do so without walking through the spill.
Photograph everything
Record the overflow and any damage for insurance before cleanup starts.
One drain or the whole house?
- IfOnly one sink or tub is slow and nothing comes up elsewhereThenLikely a local clog in that fixture's branch line. It can usually wait for regular hours.
- IfFlushing a toilet makes water rise in the tub or showerThenThe main line is blocked. Stop using water and call for service.
- IfSewage is coming out of a floor drain or the outdoor cleanoutThenMain line or lateral blockage. Treat it as an emergency.
- IfNeighbors report the same problem at the same timeThenThe blockage may be in the public sewer. Check with the City of Garden Grove before paying for private line work.
Snaking versus hydro jetting
Two common ways to clear a main line. Ask which one a plumber recommends and why.
Cable snaking
- Cuts a path through the blockage
- Often enough to restore flow in an emergency
- May leave roots or buildup on pipe walls
- Generally gentler on fragile old pipe
Hydro jetting
- High-pressure water scours the pipe walls
- Removes grease and root debris more fully
- Usually preceded by a camera check of pipe condition
- May not suit badly cracked or collapsed sections
After the line is cleared
- Ask for a camera inspection to see what caused the backup
- Ask to see the video or screenshots of any roots, breaks or sags
- Ask whether a cleanout should be added if there is none
- Disinfect hard surfaces with gloves, boots and eye protection
- Call a cleanup professional for soaked carpet or drywall
- Keep a record of the date and cause in case it happens again
Common questions
Who is responsible for the sewer lateral?
Responsibility for the lateral between your house and the public sewer varies. Check with the City of Garden Grove to confirm where your responsibility begins and ends.
Will chemical drain cleaner help?
No. Chemical cleaners rarely reach a main line blockage, can damage older pipe and make the job more hazardous for whoever clears the line.
Can I keep using the house if the backup stops?
Only lightly and only after the line is cleared. Running water before then pushes more sewage into the house.
General information for Garden Grove, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.