If your main drain keeps clogging after clearing, call a licensed plumber or drain-cleaning specialist to check the sewer lateral and whether it needs repair.
In short
Hire a licensed plumber or drain-cleaning specialist to investigate a main drain that keeps clogging after it has been cleared. An obstruction may need more than routine clearing if the sewer lateral is broken. In San Diego, maintaining the lateral is generally the property owner's responsibility.
Why a cleared drain can clog again
Roots, grease, and debris can obstruct a sewer lateral. Fats, oils, and grease can clog laterals and eventually block sewer mains. The lateral's age and material affect the maintenance it needs: older concrete, clay, or cast iron laterals may have root intrusion or deteriorated sections. Those are possible conditions to investigate when a blockage returns, not a diagnosis of any particular pipe.
A sewer lateral carries wastewater from a building's sinks, drains, and toilets to the sewer main. The practices of people using those fixtures also affect the type and frequency of maintenance a lateral needs. Being careful about what goes down drains and garbage disposals, and what is flushed down toilets, can help minimize drainage problems. Newer plastic laterals with intact joints and seals may function for years without problems, while older laterals with root intrusion or deteriorated sections may need regular inspection or more frequent cleaning.
Who maintains the sewer lateral in San Diego
A sewer lateral runs from the building to its connection with the city sewer main. In San Diego, the property owner is responsible for maintaining that lateral all the way to the connection, which may be past the property line. If city crews find that a problem resulted from a lack of routine lateral maintenance, the owner may be billed for the city's response.
The connection can be in the street, on an easement, or in a canyon. Keeping the lateral clear of obstructions is part of the owner's maintenance responsibility. If the pipe has a break or crack, the homeowner must repair the portion between the house and the property line. City crews do not dig on private property. A bill for a city response caused by a lack of routine maintenance can include time, equipment, labor, materials, and overhead.
When to call a plumbing professional
If routine methods cannot clear a blockage, or the lateral is broken, the lateral needs repair. For a San Diego lateral stoppage or failure, city crews will not respond until the owner has established, through a licensed plumber or certified drain-cleaning service, that the problem lies between the property line and the sewer main and is beyond the owner's scope to relieve or repair.
For assistance when sewage backs up into a home or building, call a licensed plumber or drain-cleaning specialist. A licensed plumber or drain-cleaning specialist can also clear an obstruction in the lateral. If a blockage or pipe break in the section within the city's right-of-way leaves the building with no sewer facilities, the plumber must first file a report by phone with the city's Water and Sewer Emergency Line. The city may correct a problem in that section at no expense to the owner, but its crews will not perform work if their investigation finds the problem inside the property line. Different rules and policies apply to encroachment laterals and laterals in easements.
What a camera assessment can show
After a lateral is cleared, a licensed plumber will usually assess the pipe's condition by camera, including whether it has a crack or break. In one Elite Rooter job, a customer's main sewer line remained badly clogged after an earlier attempt to clear it. Elite Rooter assessed the home and tried several approaches before running a camera. The customer and team chose a hydroflush; after about 4 hours of work, the pipes were clear, and a follow-up camera run confirmed the result.
The home had a slab foundation. Elite Rooter tried several ways to keep costs down before the camera run. The team then walked the customer through the best and worst cases, and they chose the hydroflush as the least invasive fix.
For more, see Sewer Line Services.
What to expect from Elite Rooter
Elite Rooter offers drain cleaning and hydro jetting, as well as sewer line inspection, repair, and replacement. Its technicians diagnose the issue, explain the options, and provide a written price before work begins. Customers can call a local office or book online. Phones are answered around the clock, and plumbers are scheduled during business hours: Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm, and Saturday, 7am to 4pm. Elite Rooter has local teams in 16 offices across four states. In a separate job, root intrusion had damaged old clay piping, and sewage backed up into a homeowner's shower during laundry spin cycles. After two unsuccessful snake attempts, Elite Rooter used a camera to locate sitting water in a damaged area and pinpointed where to dig. The team installed two cleanouts and fixed and cleared the line over a multi-day job.
What customers are saying
"Dorrell was the technician who called ahead of his scheduled arrival time, and went over and above to get the line cleared. He answered every question I posed, he was professional, polite, and respectful. He worked diligently, even through an afternoon downpour. He never hid in his truck to avoid the rain."
patri brad, Google review
Frequently asked questions
Is the homeowner or the city responsible for a sewer lateral problem?
In San Diego, the owner is responsible for maintaining the lateral from the property to its connection with the city sewer main, even when that connection is past the property line.
What could make a main drain clog repeatedly?
Roots, cooking grease, and debris can obstruct a lateral. Older concrete, clay, or cast iron laterals may also have root intrusion or deteriorated sections.
How can a plumber check the pipe after clearing it?
A licensed plumber will usually inspect a cleared lateral by camera to assess its condition, including whether the pipe has a crack or break.
Sources
- Sewer Laterals: Street or Alley. City of San Diego.
- We need your help to prevent sewer spills!. City of San Diego.
About the Author
Frequently asked questions
Is the homeowner or the city responsible for a sewer lateral problem?
In San Diego, the owner is responsible for maintaining the lateral from the property to its connection with the city sewer main, even when that connection is past the property line.
What could make a main drain clog repeatedly?
Roots, cooking grease, and debris can obstruct a lateral. Older concrete, clay, or cast iron laterals may also have root intrusion or deteriorated sections.
How can a plumber check the pipe after clearing it?
A licensed plumber will usually inspect a cleared lateral by camera to assess its condition, including whether the pipe has a crack or break.
