Much of Sunny Hills was built in the 1950s and 1960s, with ranch and mid-century modern homes on rolling, sometimes sloped lots. Many yards have decades of trees, hedges and terraced planting, and most have automatic irrigation added or upgraded over the years.
That combination makes irrigation backflow devices common and sometimes hard to find. On sloped lots, the device also has to sit at the right height relative to the sprinkler heads it serves, which can be tricky when the yard climbs above the house.
Area at a glance
- Typical homes
- 1950s to 1960s single-family, many remodeled
- Foundations
- Mostly slab-on-grade, with some raised floors on sloped lots
- Supply pipes
- Original copper or galvanized; many homes partly or fully repiped
- Sewer laterals
- Original cast-iron or clay is common; mature trees mean roots
- Water supplier
- City of Fullerton water utility for most addresses; confirm on your bill
Hillside yard questions
- IfSprinkler heads sit higher on the slope than the deviceThenA pressure vacuum breaker may be too low; ask a tester whether the device type and height are right.
- IfThe device is at the bottom of a terraced yardThenMake sure the path to it is safe and clear for testing.
- IfPressure seems high at the bottom of the lotThenAsk a licensed plumber about pressure regulation as a separate question.
Sunny Hills owner checklist
- Find the device: check side yards, slopes and behind hedges near the valve manifold.
- Clear roots, mulch and ground cover from around it.
- Note whether any sprinkler heads sit above the device.
- Photograph the tag and start a record card.
- If you are remodeling the landscape, ask the city before moving the device.
Questions to ask a tester here
- Is the device type right for a sloped yard?
- Is it high enough above the highest head?
- Are any atmospheric vacuum breakers on valves installed correctly?
- Is anything about the location likely to cause damage?
Common questions
Why is my Sunny Hills device in such an odd spot?
Irrigation was often added after the house was built, so the device ended up where the installer brought the line out.
Does a sloped yard need a different device?
Sometimes. If a vacuum breaker cannot be placed above all the heads, another type may be needed. Ask the water supplier.
Who do I call with questions about my notice?
The water utility named on your notice, which for most Sunny Hills addresses is the City of Fullerton.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.