Raymond Hills is a residential area in northeast Fullerton with hilly streets, established landscaping and a large share of homes from the postwar decades. Like much of the city, many of those houses still carry original or partly original plumbing.
Homes here can be on concrete slabs, raised floors or stepped combinations that follow the slope. Knowing which you have tells you where supply lines run, and therefore where a leak could hide.
Five-minute house profile
Fill these in before you call anyone; the answers shape every next step.
- Foundation: slab, raised, or a mix (look for crawlspace vents).
- Where the main shutoff is and whether it turns.
- Pipe at the water heater: copper, galvanized or PEX.
- Past leak repairs or repipes, and roughly when.
- Large trees near the sewer line route to the street.
- Irrigation zones and where their valve is.
Supply leaks vs sewer lateral problems
| Question | Supply line leak | Sewer lateral problem |
|---|---|---|
| Does the water meter move? | Yes, with everything off | No |
| Typical sign | Warm or damp floor, higher bill | Slow drains, gurgling, sewage odor or backup |
| Tree roots involved? | Rarely the cause | A common cause in older clay or cast-iron laterals |
| Usual inspection | Meter tests, pressure tests, leak location | Sewer camera inspection |
Where to start in a Raymond Hills home
- IfRaised floor and the meter movesThenCheck the crawlspace from the access opening for drips or wet soil.
- IfSlab and a warm strip of floorThenRun the heater cold inlet test to check the hot side.
- IfMeter still, but drains are slowThenLook at the sewer lateral rather than supply lines.
- IfMeter moves with the house shutoff closedThenLook at the service line from the meter to the house.
Contacts for Raymond Hills owners
- Water service and meter
- City of Fullerton water utility
- Permits
- City of Fullerton; check with the city
- Gas smell
- Leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside
- License check
- cslb.ca.gov
Common questions
Are tree roots a slab leak risk?
Roots mainly affect sewer laterals, especially older clay or cast iron. Supply leaks under slabs usually come from pipe wear.
My home was built mid-century. Should I repipe now?
Not automatically. Watch for repeat leaks, low pressure or visible corrosion, and ask a licensed plumber to assess the system.
How do I find out if my lateral has roots?
A sewer camera inspection by a licensed plumber shows the inside of the line.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.