San Dimas Plumbing Services: Sewer Backups, Clogged Drains and Water Heater Permits

The city's sewer page says San Dimas sewers are maintained by the county's Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District, and it lists the district's 24-hour emergency line, 1-800-675-4357. If sewage is coming up at several houses, or a manhole in the street is overflowing, call that line first. City Public Works takes other questions at (909) 394-6240.

The county states that the owner owns and maintains the entire lateral from the building to the main, including the part under the street. Roots can block a lateral and, in time, the main, and the district may send a notice after a camera inspection. Some properties need a backwater valve where the lowest fixture sits below the upstream manhole. fixing a sewer line walks through camera inspection and the repair choice.

A single slow tub or sink is a branch-line job for a snake or a jet. Several fixtures together mean the main drain, and that is when the lateral question comes up. Tell the dispatcher which fixtures are affected, whether a toilet gurgles when the washer drains, and whether neighbors are affected. For the methods and what to ask, see clogged drain service.

San Dimas homes skew toward the 1970s: the Census median year built is 1976 and roughly six in ten units predate 1980, by our calculation. That is the era of original supply lines and water heaters on their second or third replacement.

Leak detection. A moving meter with everything off means water is escaping; water leak detection explains how it is located. Repiping. Several leaks in the same run point to the pipe itself; see pipe replacement. Fixtures. Running toilets and dripping faucets are the usual small jobs; see faucet, toilet and fixture repair. Slab leaks. We found no foundation data for San Dimas, so the plumber confirms yours; see leaks under the slab.

The city's "When do I need a permit" page lists water heaters, whether replaced, relocated or new, and the water heater handout states that every replacement needs a plumbing permit. It is issued only to a licensed plumbing contractor or an approved homeowner-builder. The handout also calls for seismic straps on the upper and lower thirds of the tank, which matches California Health and Safety Code 19211.

Have the plumber pull the permit and book the inspection. One warning: the handout's header shows an address and phone that do not belong to San Dimas. The Building and Safety Division is at 245 E. Bonita Ave., (909) 394-6200. See water heater replacement for what the inspector checks.

• Gas lines: see gas piping work; the state certifies earthquake gas valves and local building departments oversee installation.
• Water heater repair: repairing a failing water heater covers sediment, pilots and leaks.
• Tankless units: tankless water heater service covers gas sizing and descaling.
• Water line: fixing a water line explains the line from the meter.
• Flooding: water extraction and drying covers drying.

The same line also takes disposal repair and water filtration calls. Light commercial jobs for shops and restaurants are on plumbing for restaurants and offices. For after-hours emergencies, see the homepage emergency section.