TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
Homeowners Checklist
Check your repair bid against this Oro Loma Sanitary District list of important considerations. District standards require that a backflow prevention system be installed whenever a sewer lateral is repaired or replaced.
Does the bid specifically state the length of pipe will be replaced?
Will the contractor replace the lateral all the way to the main?
Does the estimate include a backflow prevention system?
Does the bid include a District repair permit, as well as a City or County encroachment permit if the repair extends into the street or sidewalk?
Is the contractor familiar with District requirements?
Prevention Tips
- Inspect any home before you buy it and find out where the sewer main is located. A licensed plumber’s video inspection may reveal cracks, breaks, offsets, or root intrusion.
- Don’t plant trees or invest in expensive landscaping over the top of your lateral. Roots grow toward sewer line cracks in search of water, often forming root balls that clog the line.
- Consider installing a backflow prevention system, which prevents a backup in the public system from entering your home.
What is a Sewer Lateral
Your home’s plumbing is connected to the public wastewater system through an underground pipe called a “private sewer lateral.” As the property owner, you own this pipe. You are also responsible for keeping it flowing freely and for repairing cracks and breaks.
Laterals do not end at the curb or property line, but extend all the way to the sewer main, which is often located in the street. The main sewer line is maintained by Oro Loma Sanitary District, which also manages the treatment facility.