The area and its buildings

Old Town Placentia is the historic core of the city, with older homes on nearby residential streets and small commercial and mixed-use buildings along the main streets. As in Downtown Fullerton, many buildings have been remodeled for new uses over the decades.

Older buildings here may have galvanized supply lines, cast-iron drains and clay or cast-iron laterals, alongside newer replacements. Commercial spaces with food uses add grease to the list of common drain issues.

Common issues in older buildings here

  • Low pressure or rusty first draw from galvanized supply
  • Slow drains or odors from aging cast iron
  • Root intrusion in clay laterals near mature trees
  • Grease buildup in commercial kitchen drains
  • Shared drains in mixed-use buildings

A sensible order for owners

  1. Confirm your providers

    Find out who supplies water and confirm SoCalGas for gas service.

  2. Map your plumbing

    Record shutoffs, cleanouts and pipe materials.

  3. Inspect the drains

    Camera-inspect the lateral if backups or slow drains recur.

  4. Plan repairs

    Prioritize active problems and plan longer-term replacement of old pipe.

  5. Check permits

    Check with the City of Placentia about permits for repiping or sewer work.

Who to contact

Water provider
Check with the City of Placentia for your address
Permits
Check with the City of Placentia
Gas
SoCalGas; for a gas smell, leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside
Contractor license check
cslb.ca.gov

Questions for a plumber

  1. What pipe materials does this building have?
  2. Is the drain shared with other units or businesses?
  3. Are roots or scale causing my slow drains?
  4. What permits might this work need?
Map of Old Town Placentia. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Is Old Town Placentia part of this site's area?

It is a nearby area east of Fullerton with similar older buildings, so it is covered here for comparison and planning.

Why can't this page name the water provider?

Providers can differ by address, so the reliable step is to check with the City of Placentia.

Are older storefronts here like those in Downtown Fullerton?

Many share the same patterns of remodeled spaces, shared drains and older pipe.

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