Golden Hills is a hillside residential area in north Fullerton, with homes set on graded pads, slopes and cul-de-sacs. Many houses date from the latter half of the twentieth century, and many have been remodeled or expanded since.
On a hillside, water from a hidden leak does not always stay put. It can follow the grade, collect against a retaining wall or appear at the downhill edge of a slab. That makes the meter test even more important here, because the visible wet spot may be some distance from the pipe.
Hillside-specific signs
| Sign | Possible meaning |
|---|---|
| Seepage at the base of a retaining wall | Water from irrigation, drainage or a supply leak uphill |
| Damp soil on the downhill side of the house | Water traveling along the grade from a leak |
| New cracks in a slab on a graded pad | Can relate to soil moisture; worth noting for a plumber and possibly a structural professional |
| Meter movement with irrigation off | A supply leak somewhere on your side of the meter |
Checking a hillside home
- Separate irrigation.Hillside lots often have extensive irrigation. Close its valve before any meter test.
- Run the meter test.Watch the indicator with everything off.
- Close the house shutoff.If the meter stops, the leak is inside; if not, look at the service line and outdoor lines.
- Walk the grade.Check the downhill side of the house and the base of walls for moisture after a dry spell.
- Note foundation type.Some hillside homes have partial raised floors; check any crawlspace from the access opening.
Golden Hills at a glance
- Setting
- Hillside lots in north Fullerton
- Foundations
- Slab, raised and combinations on stepped lots
- Supply pipe
- Often copper; repiped homes may have PEX
- Sewer laterals
- Older homes may have cast iron or clay; trees can affect them
- Water utility
- City of Fullerton
Questions for a plumber in a hillside home
- Could the wet area be downhill from the actual leak?
- Is my water pressure higher than typical at this elevation?
- Do any lines run through a raised section or crawlspace?
- Should the irrigation system be pressure tested too?
Common questions
Why does my wet spot not match where the plumber found the leak?
On slopes and under slabs, water can travel before it surfaces, so the visible sign can be some distance from the pipe.
Does irrigation complicate leak testing?
Yes. Close the irrigation supply during every meter test so it does not mask or mimic a leak.
Who handles soil or slope questions?
Those are for a geotechnical or structural professional. Check with the City of Fullerton about any permit requirements.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.