Emergency
Emergency Sewer Backup in Los Angeles: What to Do Right Now
Short answer: stop using water, keep people and pets away from the sewage, and find out if it is your pipe or the city’s. In the City of Los Angeles the LASAN 24-hour line is 1-800-773-2489. If it is your line, a local plumber with a camera can clear it and show you the cause.
Do this now
- Stop flushing and running water
- Keep kids and pets away from sewage
- Take photos for your records
- Call LASAN if neighbors are affected: 1-800-773-2489
Wash hands after any contact with sewage.
The first hour
- Stop the water. Every flush or load of laundry adds to the backup.
- Protect people. Keep children and pets out of the affected area. Avoid touching sewage.
- Photograph the damage for your records.
- Check the street. If neighbors are backed up, call LASAN: 1-800-773-2489 (TTY 213-473-4112).
- Call for a camera inspection if only your property is affected.
Last updated October 2026.
Is it your pipe or the city’s
In the City of Los Angeles the public sewer main under the street belongs to the city. The private lateral from your house to that main is the property owner’s responsibility.
| What you see | Likely cause | Who to call first |
|---|---|---|
| Sewage in the street or in several homes on the block | Public main blocked | LASAN: 1-800-773-2489 |
| Only your home is affected, several drains slow | Private lateral blocked | A plumber |
| One fixture slow, others fine | Local clog | A plumber, or a snake if simple |
Details in who is responsible for the sewer line and who to call by city.
Staying safe around sewage
- Keep children, pets and anyone with health concerns out of the area.
- Wear waterproof gloves and boots if you must go in. Do not touch sewage with bare hands.
- Wash hands with soap and water after any contact.
- Do not use electrical equipment in standing sewage water.
- Open windows if there is a strong smell, and leave the area if you feel unwell.
If anyone feels ill after contact, contact a doctor. We are not medical advisors.
What not to do
- Do not keep flushing to “test” the line.
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaner into a backed-up line.
- Do not open the cleanout cap if the line is backed up. Waste can come out under pressure.
- Do not use a rental jetter on a backed-up line without knowing the pipe.
What the plumber will do
- Ask where and when the backup started.
- Open the cleanout and put a camera in to find the blockage.
- Clear it with a snake or hydro jetting, depending on the cause.
- Run a second camera pass to confirm.
- Explain the cause and what to do next.
See sewer camera inspection and sewer main line hydro jetting.
Cleanup and damage
Cleaning up after sewage is a separate job from clearing the line. If water has reached floors, drywall or carpet, a restoration company handles cleanup and drying. We refer plumbing work only.
Keep your photos and any camera video. They help if you need to talk to the city or a property manager.
If it happens in a storm
Heavy rain can add water to older sewer lines. If neighbors are affected during a storm, the public main may be the problem. See rainy season sewer backups.
How to avoid the next one
- Find your cleanout so a plumber can get in fast.
- Get a camera look if the line has backed up before.
- Do not flush wipes or pour grease down the drain.
- If roots are the cause, ask about root removal and a check schedule.
Who does the work
Hydro Jetting Los Angeles is a referral service operated by Hydro Jet Pros LA. We are not the plumbing contractor. When you call or send a request, we pass it to Mike Anderson, a local plumber with 12+ years of experience. His team does the work, and you pay the plumber, not us. We speak English and Spanish, and hours are 7 AM to 9 PM.
Common questions
What do I do first in a sewer backup?
Stop using water, keep people away from the sewage and take photos. Then find out whether neighbors are affected.
Who do I call in Los Angeles?
If the street or several homes are affected, call LASAN at 1-800-773-2489. If it is only your property, call a plumber.
Can I clean up sewage myself?
Small amounts, with gloves and care. Larger spills should go to a cleanup company.
How fast can a plumber come?
Call and ask. Hours are 7 AM to 9 PM.
Will the camera show the cause?
Yes. It shows roots, grease, cracks or a broken section.
Is an emergency visit more expensive?
Often. Ask for the extra charge up front.
Can I use the toilet during a backup?
No. Every flush adds to the backup.
Will it happen again?
If the cause is roots or grease, it can. A camera shows the cause and what to do.
Backup right now?
Call (424) 421-1762 and a plumber will talk you through what to do.