In the sewered parts of Lakeside, the San Diego County Sanitation District runs the public lines, and the drains in your house and the line out to the main are yours to maintain. A plumber clears the blockage, tells you where it was and whether the pipe needs work. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lakeside.
Who runs the sewer in Lakeside?
Lakeside is an unincorporated East County community, and its public sewer is not run by a city. The San Diego County Sanitation District carries wastewater from Lakeside and Winter Gardens through its collectors, trunk lines and pump stations to the City of San Diego's Point Loma treatment plant. Water is a separate matter: depending on the address it comes from Lakeside Water District or Padre Dam Municipal Water District, so the name on your water bill does not tell you who owns the sewer. A clog in your fixtures or your own line is a private repair. If a plumber clears your line and it still will not drain, or wastewater is spilling from a manhole, the County is the agency to contact. If you are not sure how your home's wastewater leaves the property, say so when you call.
Why do older Lakeside homes clog more often?
Housing data put the median Lakeside home at 1978, and about 52.5 percent of homes were built before 1980. In houses from that era, the drain system may include cast iron, which rusts and roughens inside, and older pipe in the yard with joints where roots can work in. Those surfaces catch grease, paper and hair, so clogs come back sooner than they would in plastic pipe. If the same line backs up more than once, a camera inspection after cleaning shows whether the problem is buildup that jetting can remove or damaged pipe that needs repair.
Does a drain repair in Lakeside need a County permit?
Clearing a stoppage is service work and does not change the plumbing system. Replacing a damaged section of drain or sewer pipe is different. Because Lakeside is unincorporated, building permits go through the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services Building Division, which offers simple permits, inspection scheduling and payments online through Accela Citizen Access and runs a Permit Center in Kearny Mesa. The plumber handling the repair should explain what is needed.
A local note
Lakeside takes in several communities, including Winter Gardens, Eucalyptus Hills, Moreno Valley and Muth Valley, so lot sizes and line lengths vary from one street to the next. A long building sewer takes more time and more cable to clear than a short one, which is worth knowing when you compare quotes.
Drain Cleaning questions in Lakeside
Who do I call if sewage is spilling from a manhole or the street?
Are older cast iron and clay drain lines harder to clear?
Do I need a permit to have a drain unclogged?
Why is every drain in the house slow at the same time?
More plumbing services in Lakeside
Drain Cleaning nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: