Yes, you do need a permit to perform lateral work on private property.  A plumbing permit for lateral repairs/replacement is issued over-the-counter to licensed plumbers at the City of San Luis Obispo’s Community Development Department's public counter at 919 Palm Street. To see current business hours for the public counter click here.

Some signs that a lateral may need repair or replacement include frequently clogged drains and an odor of sewage.

To accurately assess the condition of your sewer lateral, a Closed-Circuit Television Video (CCTV) inspection is needed.

Possible deficiencies that may be detected include displaced joints, open joints, root intrusion, substantial deterioration of the line, cracks, leaks, sags, inflow and /or infiltration of extraneous water, fats, oils and grease, or sediment deposits.

To avoid costly repairs as well as health, safety, and environmental hazards, laterals should be cleaned regularly.  How often you clean your lateral depends on the age of your house, the growth of tree and brush roots and the types of items that go down the drain. A good rule of thumb is to have a plumber check your lateral every two to five years. Check more often if you experience a sewage-like odor or frequently clogged drains.

Sewer laterals can be clogged and overflow for a variety of reasons:

o Tree and/or brush roots entering the sewer line

o Disposal of items into sink and/or toilet that clog the drain:

o Feminine hygiene items, including tampons and pads

o Baby wipes and diapers

o Paper towels

o Hair

o Dental floss

o Disposable towels

o Foods not meant for the garbage disposal such as chicken bones, corn cobs and egg shells

o Cooking grease

o Children’s toys

All food scraps and non-dissolvable items should be thrown in a trash or compost bin instead of down the drain.  Kitchen cooking grease should never be thrown down the drain.  Instead, cooking grease should be kept in a metal or glass jar and then thrown in the garbage.

A cleanout is an entry point into the sewer service lateral that is used to clear the line of any obstructions. Generally, a cleanout can be located either inside or outside of a house/building. Cleanouts are sometimes inadvertently buried under landscaping, walkways or driveways.  When this happens the cleanout will need to be re-exposed and made accessible. A licensed Plumber can determine where your sewer lateral’s cleanout is and the condition of your lateral as well as perform the necessary repair work. The best way to access the condition of a lateral is by Closed Circuit Television Video (CCTV) examination.