The neighborhood
Las Lomas Park is one of La Habra's neighborhood parks, surrounded by residential streets that have had decades to mature. Large shade trees in parkways and yards make these blocks pleasant, but their roots spread wide underground.
In houses with older clay or cast-iron laterals, roots can enter through joints and cracks. Many backups in neighborhoods like this one start that way, building quietly for years before a busy weekend or holiday tips them over.
Plumbing traits to expect
- Housing age
- Established neighborhood; many older homes. Check your year built.
- Supply pipes
- Copper or galvanized in homes not yet repiped
- Foundations
- Mostly slab-on-grade
- Sewer laterals
- Older clay or cast iron is common in original construction
- Trees
- Mature parkway and yard trees near many laterals
Root warning signs, in the order they often appear
- First
- Occasional gurgle from a tub or toilet.
- Then
- The lowest shower drains slowly after laundry.
- Later
- Toilets need more than one flush; water rises in the tub when they do.
- Finally
- Sewage comes up in the shower or at the cleanout.
If you live near big trees
- Find your outdoor sewer cleanout and keep it accessible.
- Note slow drains in a symptom log rather than ignoring them.
- Ask about a camera inspection if drains gurgle regularly.
- Check with the city before pruning or removing a parkway tree.
- Keep wipes and grease out of drains to avoid giving roots something to catch.
Questions for a plumber here
- How far from the house are the roots, and is the pipe damaged?
- Is regular cleaning enough, or should the lateral be repaired or lined?
- Does the problem extend to where my lateral meets the city's sewer?
Common questions
Can I remove the tree to stop root problems?
Check with the city before touching a parkway tree. Removing a tree does not repair the pipe joint that let roots in.
Is a root problem an emergency?
It becomes one when sewage backs up. Before that, it is a reason to schedule an inspection.
Who should I call if the whole street backs up?
Contact the city's public works or sewer number, since the public sewer may be involved.
General information for La Habra, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.