Rain and Sewer Backups in Southern California

When the ground saturates, water seeps into cracked laterals and open joints. That extra water fills the pipe and leaves less room for wastewater from the house.

Over long dry months, roots grow toward any moisture they can find, including small leaks in a lateral. When rain comes, those roots are already inside, and the extra flow pushes debris into them.

If gutters, downspouts or yard drains connect to the sewer lateral, they add storm water directly to it. Most cities discourage these connections. Redirecting them to the surface reduces the load.

On slopes in north and east Brea, rain moves quickly through soil and finds cracks in laterals that run across the hill. Slow drains during storms are a sign worth checking.

Gurgling toilets, slow tubs, water standing in the cleanout or a sewer smell after heavy rain. If these happen only during storms, the lateral may be cracked or partly blocked.

Have a slow lateral cleaned in the fall. Check that the cleanout cap is intact. Disconnect any downspouts tied to the sewer. If you have had storm backups before, consider a camera inspection.

If drains slow, cut water use. Avoid running the washer and dishwasher. If water rises in a tub or shower, stop using water and call a provider.

A backup during a storm can mean the system was overwhelmed or that your lateral has a problem. A camera tells you which.

Street storm drains carry rainwater toward channels and the ocean. Sanitary sewers carry wastewater to treatment. They are separate systems, which is why rain entering a sanitary lateral is a problem.

Many homeowners policies need a sewer backup endorsement. Check yours before the rainy season.

The first heavy rain after a long dry season often brings the most backup calls. Debris and roots that built up over summer meet a sudden rush of water. Checking the lateral in early fall avoids that first-storm surprise.

Homes that sit below the street or near the bottom of a slope can see backups when the system is under stress. A backwater valve and a clear lateral reduce the risk.

A cracked or missing cleanout cap lets rain pour straight into the lateral. Check the cap each fall and replace it if it is damaged.

Note the date, the rain and what happened. A pattern over a few seasons helps you and your provider decide what protection makes sense.

Homes on slopes in north and east Brea see rainwater move quickly through soil. Laterals that cross the slope can take on water through cracks. If drains slow during storms, a camera can show where.

Walk the yard over the lateral and look for soggy patches, dips or a smell. Check the cleanout for standing water. Any of these after heavy rain is a reason to have the line looked at.

Clean a slow lateral, check the cleanout cap, disconnect downspouts from the sewer, clear gutters and confirm your insurance covers sewer backups.

A provider can clean a slow lateral before the rainy season or clear a backup during a storm. Calls to (657) 354-1820 are answered 24 hours a day by independent local providers, who explain the likely cause and how the price is set before any work starts. You decide whether to go ahead, and there is no obligation to book.

Rain is rare here, but when it comes it tests every weak spot. Prepare in the fall and check the lateral after any storm backup.

Because storms are infrequent, many homeowners forget about the lateral until a big one arrives. A quick check in the fall, before the rainy months, is the easiest way to avoid that surprise.

If drains slow during a storm, call a provider once it is safe. They can clear the line and check it on camera.

Take a photo of the cleanout and any wet spots in the yard after each heavy storm. Over a few seasons, those photos show whether things are getting worse and help a provider see the pattern quickly.

A little preparation before the rainy season goes a long way, even in a dry climate.

Questions about rain and sewer backups in southern california? Call (657) 354-1820 to reach a local Brea provider.