Sewer Lines in Downtown Fullerton's Older Homes and Streets

Older housing, layered plumbing

The residential streets near Downtown Fullerton include homes from the early and middle twentieth century, along with later infill and apartments. Many of the oldest houses sit on raised foundations with a crawlspace, while houses built after the war are more often slab-on-grade.

In an older home, the sewer lateral may have been repaired or partly replaced more than once. It is common for a camera to show several materials in one run: cast iron near the house, clay further out, and plastic where someone made a repair. Each transition is a place to look closely.

What to expect around downtown

Housing age: A mix, including some of the city's oldest homes
Foundations: Raised foundations common in older houses; slab in later ones
Lateral materials: Clay and cast iron in original lines; plastic in repaired sections
Trees: Mature street and yard trees on many blocks
Water utility: City of Fullerton

Raised foundation versus slab: what changes for sewer work

Raised foundation

Drain lines under the house can often be reached from the crawlspace
Leaks under the floor may be visible on inspection
Replacing under-house drains usually avoids cutting concrete

Slab-on-grade

Drains run beneath the concrete floor
Problems are hidden until they show as clogs, odors or damp floors
Repairs may involve lining, tunneling or cutting the slab

Checks for an older downtown-area home

Find the cleanout; in some older homes it may be missing or hard to reach.
If you have a crawlspace, look for damp soil or stains under bathrooms and the kitchen.
Note large trees near the likely path from the house to the street.
Ask for camera footage that shows every material change along the line.
Keep records of past repairs, since older lines often have several.

Who to contact

City of Fullerton: sewer main problems, permits, and questions about lateral responsibility.
City of Fullerton water utility: water service and meter questions.
SoCalGas: gas service; if you smell gas, leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.
A licensed plumber, checked at cslb.ca.gov, for work on your own lateral.

Map of Downtown Fullerton. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Are all downtown-area homes on raised foundations?

No. Many older houses are, but later homes and many apartments are on slabs. Check your own house.

Why do older homes have several pipe materials?

Repairs over the decades often used whatever was standard at the time, so one lateral can include cast iron, clay and plastic.

Is the city responsible for my sewer line downtown?

Generally the public main is the city's and the lateral is the owner's, but confirm the details with the City of Fullerton.

General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.