The area at a glance
Orangethorpe Avenue is a major east-west street through Buena Park that continues east toward Fullerton and Anaheim. Businesses line much of the avenue, and residential streets branch off it.
The homes on those streets reflect Buena Park's overall housing stock: many single-story houses from the postwar building boom, generally on slab foundations. If your home is that age and has not been repiped, the supply lines may be original copper or galvanized steel, and the sewer lateral may be cast iron or clay.
Pipe materials you may find
| System | Possible original material | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply | Copper or galvanized steel | Pinhole leaks, rusty water, low pressure |
| Under-slab lines | Copper | Warm floor spots, moving meter |
| Sewer lateral | Cast iron or clay | Roots, cracks, repeated clogs |
| Gas piping | Steel pipe with flexible appliance connectors | Old or kinked connectors; any gas smell |
A quick home check
- Look at the pipes at the water heater.Copper is reddish-brown; galvanized is gray and threaded. Note what you see.
- Find the main shutoff.Test it gently so you know it works.
- Run a meter test.With everything off, see whether the meter moves.
- Locate the sewer cleanout.Note whether there is an accessible cleanout for future clearing or camera work.
Homes vs businesses along the avenue
Homes
- Slab leaks and aging supply lines.
- Root intrusion in older laterals.
- Hard-water wear on water heaters and fixtures.
Businesses
- Backflow assemblies that may need testing.
- Higher drain loads and possible grease.
- Shutoff planning to avoid closing the whole building.
Contacts
- Water and meter questions
- City of Buena Park water utility
- Permits
- City of Buena Park building department
- Gas leaks
- Leave; call 911 or SoCalGas from outside
- Contractor license check
- cslb.ca.gov
Common questions
- My address is near the Fullerton line. Which city do I contact?
- Contact the city your property is in. Your water bill or property tax records will show which utility serves you.
- Is galvanized pipe common here?
- It can be found in homes of this era that have not been repiped. A plumber can confirm what you have.
- Do I need a camera inspection?
- If you have had repeated clogs or a backup, it is the best way to see the condition of an older lateral.
General information for Buena Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.