The neighborhood and its homes
Sunny Hills is a residential area in the western part of Fullerton, with rolling streets and many single-story and split-level homes. A large share of the housing went up during the 1950s and 1960s, the same building boom that produced slab-on-grade tract homes across North Orange County.
Homes of that era commonly have copper supply lines, sometimes laid in the ground beneath the concrete slab, and in some cases galvanized piping. Every house is different, so check your own disclosures, permits or past repair records for specifics.
Typical features to check in your home
- Era
- Many homes from the 1950s and 1960s
- Foundation
- Slab-on-grade is common; confirm for your house
- Supply pipe
- Often copper; some galvanized
- Sewer lateral
- Older laterals are often cast iron or clay
- Trees
- Mature street and yard trees
Where hidden leaks tend to show up
| Location | Why | What you notice |
|---|---|---|
| Hot line under the slab | Heat, age and hard water wear on copper | Warm floor strip, meter moves |
| Service line in the front yard | Original pipe and long runs on larger lots | Damp lawn strip, meter moves with house main closed |
| Irrigation on slopes | Lines and valves on uneven ground | Soggy patches downhill of a leak |
| Bathroom walls | Original shower valves and fittings | Bubbling paint, soft drywall |
First checks for a Sunny Hills home
- Run the meter test.Everything off, watch the low-flow indicator.
- Close the house main.If the meter keeps moving, look at the front yard service line and the irrigation.
- Close the water heater inlet.If the meter stops, focus on hot lines under the slab.
- Walk the floors.Feel for warm strips between the water heater and kitchen or bathrooms.
Who to contact
- City of Fullerton water utility for meter, billing and service questions.
- The city for permit questions on repipes, reroutes or service line replacement.
- SoCalGas for gas service, and 911 or SoCalGas from outside if you smell gas.
- A licensed plumber for leak detection; check the license at cslb.ca.gov.
Common questions
Are slab leaks common in Sunny Hills?
Homes from the 1950s and 1960s with under-slab copper are the type most associated with slab leaks, but each house differs. A meter test is the place to start.
Does this site serve Sunny Hills?
This is a preview site for Fullerton Leak Detection; the phone number is a temporary placeholder and the request form is not connected yet. Whoever you call, ask them to confirm your address is in their service area.
How do I find out what pipe my house has?
Look at exposed pipe at the water heater, under sinks and at the main shutoff, and check past permits or inspection reports.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.