First: what to do right now if sewage is backing up
- Stop using water. Every flush, shower or load of laundry adds to the backup.
- Keep people and pets away from wastewater. It can carry bacteria; wear gloves and boots if you must walk through it.
- Find the exterior cleanout. If it’s full of water, the blockage is downstream (toward the street). If it’s dry, the blockage is likely between the cleanout and the house.
- Check with neighbors. If several homes on the street are backing up, the public main may be blocked — call the City of Whittier Public Works, or LA County Public Works if you’re in an unincorporated area.
- Call us at (562) 358-3136 if the problem is on your side.
Our article on what to do during a sewer backup covers cleanup and insurance documentation in more detail.
Main line vs. branch line — why it matters
Your plumbing is a tree. Each sink, tub and toilet drains into a branch line, and the branches join the main building drain, which becomes the sewer lateral outside. A clogged branch affects one fixture or one bathroom. A clogged main affects everything — and because water always finds the lowest opening, the backup usually shows up in a ground-floor shower, tub or floor drain first.
Snake or jet? Choosing the method for a main line
For an active backup, the first goal is to restore flow. Sometimes the fastest route is a cable machine to open the line, followed by hydro jetting to clean it properly. Other times jetting alone handles both. The choice depends on what’s causing the blockage:
- Wipes, paper or a single obstruction: often opened quickly with a cable; jetting afterward removes residue.
- Grease and sludge: jetting is usually the right tool from the start.
- Roots: a root-cutting nozzle or cutter head, followed by a camera inspection to judge the joints.
- Suspected collapse: stop and inspect. Forcing a cable or jet through a collapsed section can make things worse.
Stop running water and call. We’ll help you figure out whether it’s your line or the public main.
Why main lines keep backing up
A single backup can be bad luck. Two or more in a year points to an underlying condition: root intrusion at clay joints, a sag (“belly”) that holds water and debris, an offset joint that catches paper, or heavy grease coating. Cleaning addresses buildup; structural conditions need repair. A camera inspection after cleaning tells you which you’re dealing with so you can plan instead of reacting.
Backwater valves
If your lowest drain sits below the rim of the upstream public manhole, a backwater valve can stop sewage from the public main from entering your home during a city-side blockage. LA County Public Works notes these valves need regular maintenance to work. Ask whether your property has one — and when it was last serviced.
Serving Whittier neighborhoods
Main Sewer Line Cleaning is available throughout Whittier ZIP codes 90601–90606, including Uptown Whittier, East Whittier, South Whittier, West Whittier, Whittwood, Michigan Park, The Quad, Friendly Hills, Valla. Call with your address to confirm scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it’s the city’s main or my line?
If your exterior cleanout is full of water and neighbors are also backing up, the public main may be blocked — call City of Whittier Public Works or LA County Public Works. If only your home is affected, the problem is most likely in your lateral.
Can you come out today?
Call and describe the situation. Availability depends on the day’s schedule; active backups are prioritized whenever possible.
Will cleaning the main fix it permanently?
If the pipe is sound and the cause was buildup, cleaning plus good habits can last a long time. If roots, sags or offsets are involved, expect it to return until the pipe is repaired.
Is a sewer backup covered by homeowners insurance?
Many policies exclude sewer backup unless an endorsement was added. Document the damage with photos and keep service records, then check with your insurer.
