Homes in Raymond Hills sit on curving streets with yards that often rise or fall from the street. Many were built in the postwar decades and have been remodeled since, so original plumbing and newer work often sit side by side.
On a hillside lot, a sprinkler backflow device can end up at the low point of the yard while some heads sit well above it. That matters for vacuum breakers, which only protect properly when installed above the outlets they serve.
Area at a glance
- Typical homes
- Postwar single-family homes on sloped lots
- Foundations
- Slab common; some raised or stepped foundations on slopes
- Supply pipes
- Copper or galvanized originals; many repiped
- Sewer laterals
- Older cast-iron or clay; roots from mature trees are common
- Water supplier
- City of Fullerton water utility for most addresses; confirm on your bill
Device at the bottom vs the top of the yard
Device low on the slope
- Easy to reach from the driveway or street.
- A vacuum breaker may sit below some heads, which is a problem.
- Water draining downhill can pool around it.
- Ask whether a different device type is needed.
Device high on the slope
- Easier to keep above all heads.
- Path to it may be steep or overgrown.
- Carrying test equipment up takes care.
- Keep steps or a path to it maintained.
Before the tester climbs your yard
- Make sure the path to the device is safe and dry.
- Clear brush and ground cover around it.
- Turn off irrigation so slopes are not slippery.
- Tell the tester if the device is up or down a slope.
Questions to ask in Raymond Hills
- Is the device installed above every sprinkler head it serves?
- If not, what type does the city require for my yard?
- Would moving the device need a permit or approval?
- Is pressure at the bottom of my lot unusually high?
Common questions
My PVB is below the top sprinklers. Is that a problem?
It can be, because vacuum breakers need to sit above the outlets they protect. Ask a tester and the water supplier.
Can I add a second device for the upper zones?
Options depend on the system and local rules. Ask a licensed contractor and check with the city.
Who do I ask about my test deadline?
The water utility on your notice, usually the City of Fullerton.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.