Los Angeles, CA · plumbing problem
Drains backing up in Los Angeles
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
Grease is a leading cause of drain and sewer backups in Los Angeles; the city's FOG control program, part of a 2004 sewer improvement plan, cut grease-related overflows in its 6,600 miles of sewer by 94%. At home, a slow kitchen drain is usually grease in the branch; several fixtures backing up together points to the lateral, which LA owners maintain.
What's different in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation maintains about 6,600 miles of sewer lines. [1]
A FOG Control Program, part of a ten-year sewer improvement plan introduced in 2004, produced a 94% reduction in grease-related sewer overflows. [1]
CleanLA advises homeowners to use mesh drain strainers and to pour liquid food scraps and grease into containers rather than down the drain. [2]
What you're noticing
| Symptom | Likely cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen sink slow | Grease in the branch line | Soon |
| Tub fills when toilet flushes | Lateral blockage | Urgent |
| Backup after rain | Infiltration into an old lateral | Urgent |
| Gurgling only | Partial blockage or vent | Soon |
What not to do
- Don't flush grease with hot water; it hardens further down.
- Don't use chemical openers on a lateral clog.
- Don't ignore repeat backups; LA owners are responsible for the lateral to the main.
Fixes
Hydro jetting clears grease; repeat backups call for a camera inspection. For lateral repairs and the LASAN rebate, see Los Angeles sewer lateral repair.
You may also be dealing with
- SymptomSink not draining
- SymptomGurgling drains
- SymptomBasement flooding
- GuideWhy does my drain keep clogging?
Common questions
How big is LA's sewer system?
About 6,600 miles of sewer lines maintained by the Bureau of Sanitation.
Did Los Angeles reduce grease overflows?
Its FOG control program cut grease-related sewer overflows by 94%.
How should LA residents dispose of grease?
Pour it into a container for the trash instead of the drain, and use mesh strainers.
Why does my LA tub fill when I flush?
A blockage downstream of both fixtures, usually in the lateral.
Who fixes a clogged lateral in Los Angeles?
The property owner, who maintains the lateral to the main.
Why do LA drains back up after rain?
Water can get into old cracked laterals and overload them.
Does hot water clear grease?
It just moves grease farther down where it re-hardens.
Should an LA lateral be scoped before a remodel?
Yes; fixing an old clay lateral is cheaper before new hardscape goes over it.
Does jetting work on LA kitchen lines?
It scours grease from pipe walls better than a cable.
When did LA start its FOG program?
As part of a ten-year sewer plan introduced in 2004.
More plumbing help in Los Angeles
- Toilet Installation in Los AngelesReplacing a toilet in Los Angeles: LADWP's premium high-efficiency toilet rebate, how to apply, and the California rules on toilet flush volume and older homes.
- Water Heater Replacement in Los AngelesReplacing a water heater in Los Angeles: the LADBS permit, California's earthquake strapping rule, where the straps go, and what inspectors check.
- Sewer Line Repair in Los AngelesSewer lateral repair in Los Angeles: owners maintain the upper and lower lateral to the street main, and LA Sanitation's rebate reimburses up to $2,500 of the cost.
- Water Line Repair in Los AngelesLADWP's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement lines, including customer-owned ones. What that means for LA water line repairs.
- Drain backing up: the full guideWhen water rises in a tub, shower or floor drain from another fixture, the main line is blocked. How to confirm it, what to stop doing and how it's cleared.
- Plumbing in Los AngelesLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Los Angeles homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- Drains backing up in BoiseWhy drains back up in Boise homes: grease is the city's top cause of sewer clogs, older neighborhoods are most at risk, and what to check before calling.
- Drains backing up in HoustonWhy Houston drains back up: grease and wipes cause 70% of the city's sewer overflows, and overflows double when it turns cold. Symptoms, safe checks and fixes.
- Drains backing up in OrlandoWhy Orlando drains back up: grease builds up in home lines and the city's 800-plus miles of sewer. Symptoms, safe checks, the city's oil recycling, and fixes.
- Drains backing up in San AntonioWhy San Antonio drains back up: grease causes nearly 70% of local sewer blockages, the surprising sources of it, safe checks, and how to get rid of grease.
- Drains backing up in PhiladelphiaWhy Philadelphia drains back up: grease hardens in the lateral connecting homes to the sewer, sewage backs into houses, and how PWD says to dispose of it.
- Drains backing up in SeattleWhy Seattle drains back up: grease causes about a third of the city's sewer backups, the foods it comes from, safe checks, and when it's the side sewer instead.
Sources (2)
- Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network, Los Angeles FOG Control Program · checked 2026-10-03
- CleanLA (LA County), Fats, oils and grease · checked 2026-10-03