Join the hundreds of other satisfied San Mateo residents that have partnered with Discount Plumbing Rooter Inc and taken advantage of the San Mateo Sewer Lateral Cost Sharing Program! The program usually starts in the 2nd half of the year (around June or July) and the money in the fund only lasts a few months before it runs out. The fund only has a limited amount of money each year, so it’s important to act fast once the City opens the program. Once you submit your application, it’ll likely take one to two weeks to review your application and all paperwork.
Residents should submit an application via email, mail, fax, or by physically dropping of the application at City Hall. The San Mateo City Hall is located at 330 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403. There are some requirements for the application. Mostly importantly the application and estimates from plumbing companies must be approved prior to the replacement of your full sewer lateral. You cannot hire a plumbing company and do the work first and then afterwards contact the City of San Mateo to get reimbursed. The Sewer Lateral Cost Sharing Program will not apply retroactively. The City also will not cover partial sewer lateral replacements or what is commonly referred to as “spot repairs”.
There are various reasons why you may need to replace your sewer lateral. The pipes may have burst or cracked, or there are tree roots blocking the flow, etc. Regardless, it’s important that sewer lines are repaired by a professional plumbing company. Many San Mateo homes were built prior to the 1950s and have a sewer line made of clay pipe that easily cracks and allows for tree roots get inside over time. Some people opt to hydrojet (clean) their sewer line routinely instead of getting a sewer line replacement. While this might cost less initially, over time it adds up and isn’t a wise choice.
