The housing around downtown

Brea grew outward from its original town center, so the residential streets closest to downtown include some of its oldest homes, alongside mid-century houses and newer condominiums and apartments built as the district was redeveloped. Ages vary block by block, so check your own property records rather than assuming.

In the older single-family homes, original or partly replaced plumbing is common: galvanized or copper supply lines, cast-iron drain lines inside the house and clay or cast-iron sewer laterals out to the street. Many of these homes have been remodeled more than once, which can mean a mix of materials in one house.

What you may find

SystemOlder single-family homesNewer multifamily buildings
Supply linesGalvanized, copper or mixedCopper or PEX
FoundationSlab or raised, depending on ageUsually slab or podium
Sewer lateralClay or cast iron in many casesNewer materials; shared building lines
Main shutoffOutside wall or garageOften controlled by the building or HOA

Emergency notes for this area

  • Mature street and yard trees and older laterals make root-related backups a real risk.
  • Older galvanized lines can corrode internally and fail at threaded joints.
  • In a condo or apartment, know who controls the building shutoffs before a leak happens.
  • Raised-foundation homes may have supply and drain lines in the crawlspace, which is where leaks show first.
  • If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.

Who to contact

Water service and meter
Your provider named on your bill
Permits and laterals
City of Brea
Gas
SoCalGas, or 911 in an emergency
Condo or apartment building
Your HOA or property manager first

Renting or in a condo?

  • IfThe leak is inside your unitClose the unit's shutoff if you have one, then notify the owner or manager.
  • IfWater is coming from a neighbor's unitContact the building manager or HOA and the neighbor right away.
  • IfSewage is backing up in a shared buildingStop water use and alert management; a shared line may be involved.

Questions for a plumber working here

  1. What materials are my supply and sewer lines made of?
  2. Has this house been partially repiped, and where are the transitions?
  3. Would a camera inspection of the lateral be worthwhile, given the trees nearby?
  4. What is your CSLB license number?
Map of Downtown Brea. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Are downtown homes more likely to have sewer problems?
Older homes with clay or cast-iron laterals and big trees nearby tend to see more root problems, wherever they are.
Who handles a leak in a condo building?
It depends on where the leak is and your HOA rules. Contact the HOA or manager first.
Do I need a permit for a repipe?
Generally yes. Check with the City of Brea.

General information for Brea, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.