Drain cleaning & clogged drain help in Whittier, CACall for Service: (562) 245-5818
Whittier Drain Specialists logo
Call for Service

Drain service in Whittier, CA

Main Sewer Line Cleaning in Whittier, CA

When several drains back up at once, the main line is the usual suspect

Call for Drain ServiceExplore Drain Services
Technician feeding a sewer cable from a drain machine into an outdoor cleanout
Quick answer

A main sewer line clog is a blockage in the large pipe that carries all of a building's waste to the public sewer. Signs include several drains slowing at once, toilets gurgling, and water coming up in a tub, shower or floor drain. The line is usually cleared through an outdoor cleanout with a powered drain machine or hydro jetting, and a camera inspection can show what caused it.

Every drain in your home connects to one main line. Outside the building, the pipe that runs to the public sewer main in the street or alley is called the sewer lateral. In the City of Whittier, the property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the house sewer lateral, so a blockage between your house and the public main is generally your responsibility to address.

Main line clogs in older Whittier neighborhoods are often linked to roots from mature trees, older clay or cast iron pipe, and grease that has built up over years. Because a main line backup can push sewage into the home, it is worth acting on the warning signs early.

Warning signs of a main line clog

  • Two or more fixtures in different rooms are slow or backed up
  • Water comes up in the tub or shower when you flush a toilet
  • The washing machine drain causes a floor drain or toilet to overflow
  • Gurgling from toilets or drains when other fixtures run
  • Sewage odors inside or near the outdoor cleanout
  • Water or sewage seeping from the cleanout cap

Common causes of main sewer line blockages

Tree roots

Roots grow toward moisture and enter through small cracks and joints in the lateral, then trap paper and waste.

Grease buildup

Years of kitchen grease narrow the main line, especially in low spots.

Wipes and paper

Wipes and paper towels combine with grease or roots to form tough blockages.

Sags and offsets

Ground movement and age can create low spots or misaligned joints where waste settles.

Damaged or collapsed pipe

Broken pipe sections can block flow entirely and need repair rather than cleaning.

Public main issues

Sometimes the blockage is in the public sewer main. Contact your city or county sewer agency if you suspect this.

Seeing these signs? Call Whittier Drain Specialists to describe the problem.

Call (562) 245-5818

How main sewer lines are cleared

Cleanout access

The technician uses the outdoor cleanout (or another access point) to reach the main line without going through a fixture.

Powered drain machine

A heavy cable with cutting heads breaks up roots and blockages along the lateral.

Hydro jetting

Water jetting cleans grease, sludge and root fragments from the pipe walls. See hydro jetting.

Camera inspection

A camera shows roots, breaks, sags or offsets so you can decide on any repairs. See drain camera inspection.

Who maintains the sewer line in Whittier?

Inside the City of Whittier, the property owner is responsible for the house sewer lateral under the Whittier Municipal Code, and the city maintains the public sewer main. If you think the public main is blocked (for example, neighbors are affected too), contact City of Whittier Public Works. In unincorporated areas such as South Whittier and West Whittier–Los Nietos, the public main is maintained by Los Angeles County Public Works; the county lists (800) 675-HELP for sewer emergencies. Homeowners are responsible for their own laterals in both cases.

Some City of Whittier building permits also require a video inspection of the sewer lateral before the permit is issued. Read our Whittier sewer lateral guide for details.

What to expect when you call

  1. 1

    Stop using water

    Avoid running water or flushing until the line is cleared, then call and describe what you see.

  2. 2

    Find the access point

    The technician locates the cleanout or another safe access point to the main line.

  3. 3

    Clear the blockage

    The main line is cleared with a drain machine or jetting, depending on the cause.

  4. 4

    Inspect and advise

    When appropriate, a camera inspection shows the condition of the line and any problem areas.

When to call a professional

  • Sewage or dirty water is coming up into a tub, shower or floor drain
  • More than one toilet will not flush properly
  • Water is coming out of the outdoor cleanout
  • You have had main line clogs before and the symptoms are returning

Tips to help prevent future problems

  • Keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of all drains
  • Know where your outdoor cleanout is and keep it accessible
  • Ask about a camera inspection if roots have been found before
  • Consider the location of new trees and shrubs relative to the sewer lateral

Main Sewer Line Cleaning across Whittier

Calls are taken from homes and businesses throughout Whittier, including Uptown Whittier, East Whittier, South Whittier, West Whittier, Whittwood, Michigan Park, The Quad, Friendly Hills, Valla. Call (562) 245-5818 to confirm availability for your address.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if my main sewer line is clogged?

The clearest sign is more than one fixture backing up at the same time, especially when water rises in a tub or shower after flushing a toilet. Gurgling toilets and water at the outdoor cleanout are other strong signs.

Who is responsible for the sewer lateral in Whittier?

In the City of Whittier, the property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the house sewer lateral. The city maintains the public main. In unincorporated county areas, Los Angeles County maintains the public main and the owner maintains the lateral.

What is a sewer cleanout?

A cleanout is a capped access pipe, usually outside near the foundation, that lets a technician reach the main line without going through a toilet or sink.

Can tree roots be removed from a sewer line?

Roots can be cut and cleared from the inside with a drain machine or jetting. Because roots enter through openings in the pipe, they can grow back; a camera inspection shows where they are entering.

Is a main line backup an emergency?

Sewage backing up into a home is a health concern. Stop using water, keep people and pets away from the affected area and call promptly.

Related drain services

Dealing With a Stubborn Drain Problem?

Call Whittier Drain Specialists to talk through your drainage concern and get connected with a local drain professional serving Whittier.

Call for Drain ServiceContact Us
Call (562) 245-5818