How to Report a Sewer Overflow in La Mirada

A sewer overflow from a manhole in the street, or from public pipes, is a public sewer problem. In La Mirada the public mainlines are maintained by the LA County Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District, and LA County Public Works asks people to report overflows immediately at 1-800-675-HELP (4357).

A backup inside your house, or at your own outdoor cleanout, is usually a private problem. LA County says the lateral from your house to the main belongs entirely to the property owner. That is a call for a plumber.

Look outside. Sewage coming up from a manhole cover in the street is the clearest sign. So is a situation where several houses on the block back up at the same time. In those cases, report it to the county right away and avoid using water until the line recovers.

Signs it is your lateral: only your house is affected; the lowest drain, often a tub or shower in a La Mirada slab home, fills with dirty water when you flush; or your outdoor cleanout overflows while the street manhole is dry.

Stop using water everywhere in the house, including the dishwasher and washing machine. Keep children and pets away from sewage. If it is a public overflow, call LA County Public Works. If it is your house, call for emergency drain service in La Mirada; calls are answered 24 hours a day.

Take photos for insurance or a landlord. Do not pour chemicals into a backed-up drain, and do not open a cleanout cap that has sewage pressure behind it.

Once flow is restored, ask what caused it. A one-time wipe clog is different from roots that will return. If the plumber suggests a camera look, it will show whether the lateral needs cleaning, repair or replacement. For an overview of every service, see the drain cleaning in La Mirada homepage. Renters should always tell the owner or manager as well.

Sewage contains bacteria and viruses, so treat any backup as a health issue. Keep children and pets away. Wear rubber gloves and boots if you must enter the area, and wash hands thoroughly afterward. Do not use household fans to dry the area until the sewage is removed, and throw away porous items like rugs and cardboard that were soaked.

Hard floors can be cleaned with detergent and then disinfected. If sewage reached drywall, carpet or furniture, or covered a large area, a professional water damage and cleanup company is usually the safer option. Photos taken before cleanup help with insurance claims.

After a private backup, find out the cause. A single wipe plug is solved by changing habits. Roots, grease buildup or a damaged joint will return unless the line is cleaned regularly or repaired. A camera inspection gives the answer and lets you plan rather than wait for the next emergency.

Some homes have a backwater valve, a device that lets sewage flow out but not back in. Ask a plumber whether one makes sense for your house, especially if you have had a backup from the public side before.

Ask yourself three questions. Is sewage coming from a street manhole or public pipe? If yes, report it to LA County Public Works. Is only my house affected? If yes, call a plumber. Are several neighbors backing up at the same moment? If yes, report it to the county and tell the plumber, because the main may be involved.

When you call either one, give a clear location: the street address, the nearest cross street and where the sewage is coming from. For the county that might be "manhole in front of number 12400 on our street"; for a plumber it might be "the tub fills when we flush, and the cleanout is by the front door." Clear details speed up the response.

It is worth saving both numbers in your phone now: the county overflow line and a 24/7 plumber. In the middle of a backup, nobody wants to search for them. If you are not sure which situation you are in, a provider on the phone can usually tell from a short description and will say so if it sounds like a public sewer problem.