In Del Mar, the private sewer lateral that attaches to the City main is the property owner's to clear and repair, and the City has no records of where those laterals run. A sewer camera inspection finds and films your line so roots, cracks or sags can be seen and located. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Del Mar.
Signs your lateral needs attention
- Toilets bubble or drain slowly while other fixtures run
- Water backs up into a tub or shower
- A sewer smell in the yard or near the street
- Clogs return shortly after the line was cleaned
- Wet patches along the path of the pipe
A problem limited to one sink is usually local. Backups involving several fixtures point to the lateral, and a lateral that keeps clogging is worth filming before it overflows, given how closely the City watches for spills that could reach the beach or lagoons.
Del Mar conditions
Del Mar is a small coastal city that puts a strong emphasis on protecting its beaches and lagoons from sewer contamination. City of Del Mar Public Works maintains the public sewer system, while the private lateral that connects a home to the City main is the owner's to clear and repair with a private plumber. The City says most sewer backups come from clogged private plumbing, and it asks residents to call a plumber first and contact Public Works only if the City system is suspected.
One local detail matters here: the City has no records of private sewer laterals, because they were not City-installed. A plumber has to locate yours, and a camera with a locator is the standard way to do it. If a repair ends up in the public right-of-way, it needs an encroachment permit from the Planning Department.
What affects the cost
- Finding and accessing the line when no cleanout or records exist
- Clearing a blockage before filming
- The distance from the house to the City main
- Locating defects from the surface, especially near the right-of-way
- A saved video for your records
When you call
You will be connected with an independent local plumber who serves Del Mar. Mention which fixtures are affected and whether the line has been worked on before. If the footage leads to a repair, mechanical and plumbing permits can be applied for online through the City's eTRAKiT system with Del Mar Building & Safety Services, and the plumber doing the work normally handles that step. For a problem in the City's system, Public Works is at (858) 755-3294.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Del Mar
What if my house has no outdoor cleanout?
Who do I call if sewage is overflowing in the street or from a manhole?
Which part of the sewer line am I responsible for?
Will grease and wipes show up on the camera?
More plumbing services in Del Mar
Sewer Camera Inspection nearby
Helpful guides
Last updated: