Old buildings, many layers
The blocks around downtown Fullerton include houses from the early 1900s through the postwar years, many on raised foundations with crawl spaces, alongside commercial buildings, restaurants and newer apartments. Older homes here often began with very different heating and cooking appliances than they have today.
Every change, from a wall furnace to central heat, from a small water heater to a larger one, from a gas range to an induction cooktop, tends to leave its own piping behind. The result can be a gas system that is part original, part remodel and part improvisation.
What to look for in older downtown-area homes
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Piping in the crawl space | Black iron under raised floors can rust if the space is damp |
| Leftover outlets | Old wall heaters and floor furnaces often left capped, or uncapped, stubs |
| Mixed materials | Black iron, later CSST and connectors joined over decades |
| Galvanized water pipe | Looks like black iron; make sure no one confuses the two |
| Old sewer laterals | Clay or cast iron, often near mature street trees |
Shops and restaurants
Downtown's restaurants and shops add commercial gas work to the mix: cooking lines with several high-input appliances, water heaters sized for a business, and outdoor heaters on patios. Commercial gas piping follows the same safety basics, but sizing, permits and inspections can involve more steps.
Business owners and tenants should check their lease for who is responsible for gas piping, and check with the City of Fullerton building division before alterations.
For owners of older homes nearby
Questions to ask a contractor about an older house
- Where does my gas line run under the floor?
- Are there abandoned lines, and are they capped?
- Is any of the piping rusted enough to replace?
- Will this work need a permit with the city?
Common questions
Are all downtown-area homes on raised foundations?
No, but many older ones are. Check your own house.
Do historic homes have special permit rules?
Some properties may. Check with the City of Fullerton before exterior or structural work.
Who is the gas utility downtown?
SoCalGas serves all of Fullerton.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.