The housing
Raymond Hills has a mix of homes, including some built before and soon after World War II, alongside later houses. Older homes here are more likely than postwar tracts to sit on raised foundations with a crawlspace, and many have had their plumbing partly updated over the decades. Check your own home's records rather than assuming its age from the street.
Older homes can carry a patchwork of pipe: original galvanized lines, sections of copper from later repairs, and newer flexible connectors at fixtures. That mix matters for a tankless unit, which is sensitive to debris reaching its inlet filter.
Typical starting points
- Housing
- Older homes mixed with later construction
- Foundations
- Raised with crawlspace in many older homes; slab in some
- Supply pipes
- Galvanized, copper or a mix
- Sewer laterals
- Cast iron or clay common in older homes
- Trees
- Mature trees near many laterals
Older-home issues and tankless
| Issue | Effect on a tankless unit | Possible approach |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized supply lines | Rust and scale flakes clog the inlet filter | Replace galvanized near the heater, or plan a repipe |
| Low water pressure from narrowed pipes | Flow may struggle to reach the unit's rating | Have pressure and flow checked |
| Raised foundation | Pipe and gas routes may run through the crawlspace | Ask how lines will be routed and supported |
| Older gas piping | May be undersized or in poor condition | Load calculation and inspection of the existing line |
Planning order
- IfYou are considering a repipe anywayThenDo it before or with the tankless install so the new unit starts on clean lines.
- IfHot water flow is already weakThenFind out whether the pipes or the heater is the cause before buying a new unit.
- IfDrains are slow or backing upThenHave the sewer lateral looked at; tree roots are common in older laterals. Keep people away from sewage.
Who to contact
- City of Fullerton water utility for service and water questions
- SoCalGas for meter and gas service
- City of Fullerton building department for permits; ask about any extra review for older homes
- The city, to confirm where sewer lateral responsibility begins
- cslb.ca.gov for license checks
Common questions
Should I repipe before going tankless?
If galvanized lines are shedding rust or limiting flow, it is worth discussing. A plumber can tell you how the pipes look.
Does a crawlspace make installation harder?
It can make some routing easier and some harder. Ask the plumber to explain the planned route.
Are there historic rules for older homes?
Some older areas have extra review for exterior changes such as vents. Check with the city.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.