One neighborhood, many kinds of plumbing
Hillside neighborhoods often grow in stages, so two houses on the same street can have very different plumbing. An older home may still have copper or galvanized lines and a cast-iron or clay lateral; a newer or remodeled one may have plastic drain lines and PEX or copper supply. Rather than assume, find out what yours has.
Slopes also matter. Water from a hidden leak can surface downhill from its source, and long laterals to the street can be hard to reach without a known cleanout.
Getting to know your house
Look at the pipes you can see
Near the water heater, under sinks and at the main shutoff. Note the material.
Find the cleanout
Look for a capped pipe near the foundation or in the yard.
Check the foundation type
Slab, raised floor or a mix on a sloped lot.
Map the irrigation
Know where irrigation lines and their shutoff are, since slope irrigation leaks can hide.
Record it all
Put it on a shutoff map so a plumber can work faster during an emergency.
If this happens, start here
| Problem | First move |
|---|---|
| Wet patch downhill of the house | Check irrigation, then run the meter test |
| Several drains slow at once | Stop heavy water use; suspect the lateral |
| Water heater leaking | Close the cold inlet and turn off the gas control or breaker |
| Gas smell | Leave; 911 or SoCalGas from outside |
| No water in the house | Check with neighbors, then contact the city's water utility |
Questions for a plumber
- What are my supply and drain pipes made of?
- Where does my lateral run, and is the cleanout accessible?
- Could a slope or retaining wall affect where a leak shows up?
- Does any recommended work need a permit? Check with the city.
Common questions
Why do neighboring houses have different plumbing?
Homes built or remodeled at different times use different materials.
Can a leak show up far from its source on a hillside?
Yes. Water follows gravity and soil layers, so it can surface downhill.
Who handles the meter if it is leaking?
The city of Fullerton's water utility.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.