Hydro Jetting in Rialto, CA

Who handles a sewer backup in Rialto?

Rialto's utilities are more complicated than most. Water comes from one of three retailers depending on the address: the City of Rialto through Rialto Water Services, West Valley Water District or Fontana Water Company. The City's planning documents describe the Rialto Wastewater Treatment Plant, a tertiary plant, and the sewer service provider can vary by address, so check your bill for the agency that charges for sewer. If only your house is affected, the blockage is almost certainly in your own building drain or lateral, and that is a plumber's job. If neighbors are backing up too, contact the sewer agency on your bill.

How do I know jetting is the right fix?

Jetting is the better tool when a line clogs repeatedly, when a cable comes back coated in grease or tangled with roots, or when several fixtures slow down at once. A cable punches a hole; a jet cleans the pipe wall. For a single hair clog in a bathroom sink, simpler tools are usually enough. A camera inspection is the best way to see what the blockage is made of and whether the pipe is sound before jetting.

Housing age varies across Rialto, so pipe materials differ from one house to the next. In general, older homes are more likely to have cast iron drains and clay or other older laterals that invite roots, while newer homes have plastic lines that mainly collect grease and wipes. The city water system relies mostly on local groundwater.

What if the camera finds a broken pipe?

Jetting will not fix a crack, an offset joint or a collapsed section; it can only clear the line so the damage is visible. At that point the options are a spot repair, lining or replacement, and the work needs a permit from the City of Rialto Building & Safety Division at 150 S. Palm Avenue, which also takes applications online through its EnerGov portal. A plumber can explain which option fits after reviewing the footage.

One more thing

When you call the number on this page, say which drains are affected, how long it has been happening and what earlier cleanings found. Hold off on laundry and long showers until the line is open.