Sewer Backup in Lakewood, CA: Who to Call

If sewage is backing up into your home, stop using water right away. Then work out whether the problem is in your private lateral or the public sewer. Overflows from manholes or the street go to the Los Angeles County Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District at 1-800-675-HELP (4357). Backups inside your home or at your cleanout are usually a private-line problem for a plumbing provider.

First steps

Stop running water: no flushing, laundry or dishwasher.
Keep people and pets away from sewage and wash hands thoroughly.
If water is near electrical outlets or appliances, stay clear and turn off power only if it's safe to do so.
Look outside. Is the cleanout overflowing? Is a manhole in the street overflowing?

Public or private?

Sign	Likely location	Call
Manhole or street overflowing	Public main	County 1-800-675-HELP
Several neighbors backing up	Possibly public	County first
Only your house; lowest drain backing up	Private lateral	Plumbing provider
Your outside cleanout overflowing	Private lateral, usually	Plumbing provider

The county's role is explained on the Lakewood sewer page and the LA County Sewer Maintenance Districts site.

Not sure what you need? Talk it through by phone.

Call (708) 350-9399

What a provider will do

Clear the main line through the cleanout, toilet or roof, then often run a camera to see the cause. See drain cleaning and sewer camera inspection.

After the backup

Clean and disinfect affected areas, or use a professional cleanup service for large backups. Photograph damage for insurance. If roots or a broken pipe caused it, plan a repair. See sewer line repair and tree roots in Lakewood sewer lines.

What should you tell the provider when you call?

Describe what you've noticed and when it started, which fixtures are affected, what you've already checked or shut off, and your address or cross streets. For water heaters, give the fuel type, tank size and approximate age from the label. For drain and sewer problems, say whether you know where your cleanout is. That helps the provider understand the likely cause and bring the right equipment. Coverage for your address is confirmed on the call.

When is it not safe to keep troubleshooting?

Stop and call if you smell gas (leave first, and call SoCalGas or 911 from outside), if water is near electrical outlets or appliances, if sewage is backing up into the house, or if a fix needs you to open a gas control, an electrical panel or a pressurized line. Don't cap or plug a water heater relief valve. If water is spreading, close the main shutoff first.

How was this guide researched?

This guide was written for Lakewood, California homeowners and checked against the sources below on November 11, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm anything important with the agency or provider. See our editorial policy.

Quick answers

Is a sewer backup covered by insurance?

It depends on your policy. Many require a sewer backup endorsement. Check your policy and document everything.

Can I use a plunger on a main-line backup?

Not effectively. A main-line clog needs a machine from a cleanout. Plunging can push sewage out of other drains.

Does this guide apply outside Lakewood?

Much of it does, because the plumbing basics are the same across Southern California. But water providers, sewer agencies and permit offices differ from city to city. Bellflower has four water companies, Seal Beach runs its own water and sewer systems, and Orange County cities have their own building departments. Check the official site for your city, or see our service area pages, which list the water provider and official links for each nearby city.

How current is this information?

This page was last reviewed on November 11, 2026, and shows that date at the top. Rules, utility programs and prices change, so we link to the official or original source for each key fact, and those sources are the final word. Cost figures come from named national guides, with the update date each one showed when we checked it. If something looks out of date, confirm it with the city, your water provider or the provider on the call, and let us know by calling the number on this page.

Can I call with questions before deciding on any work?

Yes. You can call (708) 350-9399 to describe the problem and ask whether your address is covered, what a visit would involve, and how pricing works, before you agree to anything. There's no form to fill in, and your details aren't sent to a list of contractors. If the job turns out to need a permit or a specialty service, ask about that on the call too.