4 services · California
Drains & sewer in California
Older California homes have cast-iron and clay drains that crack and collect roots, and earthquakes and decades of soil movement can offset joints. In many cities the property owner is responsible for the sewer lateral to the main.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Drains & sewer in California: what to know
In the East Bay, EBMUD's private sewer lateral program requires many owners to test and certify their lateral when selling or remodeling. San Francisco owners are responsible for the lateral under the sidewalk, and its combined sewer can back up into low garages during heavy rain. Trenchless lining is popular to avoid digging through mature landscaping.
A camera inspection shows the lateral's condition before buying, selling or repairing. Permits come from each city's building department.
- Climate
- Frozen pipes are rare in most of California. Heat, humidity, water quality and storms cause far more plumbing problems than cold.
- Typical foundations
- Older homes in established neighborhoods often have galvanized or cast-iron pipe, and many homes sit on slabs or raised foundations rather than basements. Most common: concrete slabs.
Drains & sewer services
Drain cleaning
If one fixture is slow, the clog is usually in that fixture's branch line. If several drains back up at once, or the basement floor drain fills when you run the washer, the main sewer line is blocked and needs a larger cable or a jetter.
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting cleans the full width of a drain pipe with high-pressure water, washing out grease, scale and fine roots that a cable only punches a hole through. It works best on sound pipe and is usually done after a camera inspection confirms the pipe can take it.
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the line from your house to the city main and records what it finds: roots, cracks, sags, offset joints or collapsed pipe. It's the best way to decide between cleaning, spot repair and replacement.
Sewer line repair
A damaged sewer line can be fixed with a spot repair, a trenchless liner, pipe bursting or an open-trench replacement. Which one fits depends on what the camera shows, how deep the pipe is, and what's on top of it, such as a driveway, trees or landscaping.
Drains & sewer by city in California
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
- Drains & sewer in Los Angeles
- Drains & sewer in San Diego
- Drains & sewer in Sacramento
- Drains & sewer in San Jose
- Drains & sewer in San Francisco
- Drains & sewer in Fresno
- Plumber in Long Beach, CA
- Drains & sewer in Oakland
Drains & sewer questions in California
Do California cities require sewer lateral inspections?
Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the drains & sewer guide.
More plumbing in California
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