Why a sewage backup can’t wait
Yes. A sewage backup is generally treated as an emergency, because raw sewage is a health hazard. Your landlord should respond immediately, often through emergency maintenance, day or night.
Unlike a slow drip, sewage backing up into a home exposes you to harmful germs and makes the unit unsafe to use, so it cannot wait days for a repair. Most landlords keep an emergency-maintenance line for exactly these situations. Report it right away — in writing if you can — and note the date and time.
If the landlord fails to respond to an active sewage emergency, the delay itself makes the habitability problem worse and increases the health risk to your household. Keep a record of your report and any follow-ups. If your landlord ignores a sewage emergency, a free review can help you understand your options.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.