The neighborhood and its pipes
Much of Sunny Hills was built out in the 1950s and 1960s, with a mix of tract homes and custom houses on gently rolling lots. Houses from that era commonly sit on slab-on-grade foundations, though construction varies, and many still drain through their original sewer laterals. Cast iron is common near and under the house, often transitioning to vitrified clay out in the yard.
Decades of growth have given the area large yard and street trees, and roots in clay joints are a familiar problem across older parts of Fullerton. Check your own home's year built and records rather than assuming; additions and earlier repairs can change what is in the ground.
Sunny Hills at a glance
- Typical era
- Many homes from the 1950s and 1960s
- Common lateral materials
- Cast iron and clay in original lines
- Foundations
- Often slab-on-grade; varies by house
- Trees
- Mature yard and parkway trees
- Water and sewer contact
- City of Fullerton
- Gas
- SoCalGas
Things to check on a Sunny Hills lateral
- Where the cleanout is, and whether one exists at all
- Whether the lateral passes under a driveway, patio or retaining wall
- Large trees along the route from the house to the street
- Whether earlier owners had any section repaired or replaced
- Any slope between the house and the street that affects depth
How local traits affect trenchless choices
- IfRoots at many clay joints under mature treesThenFull-length lining or bursting is commonly discussed.
- IfLine runs under a long drivewayThenAsk about lining from the cleanout or pits beside the concrete.
- IfSloped lot with a deep lateralThenAsk how depth affects pit size and method.
Who to contact
| Question | Contact |
|---|---|
| Sewer main, lateral boundary, permits | City of Fullerton |
| Water service and meter | City of Fullerton water utility |
| Gas smell or gas line near a dig | 911 or SoCalGas, from outside |
| Utility marking before digging | 811 |
| Contractor license check | cslb.ca.gov |
Common questions
Are all Sunny Hills homes on slabs?
No. Many are, but construction varies. Check your house's own records or ask a plumber who has seen it.
Does every older Sunny Hills lateral need replacing?
No. Many still work. A camera inspection shows the condition of your specific line.
Who handles a blockage in the street main?
Contact the City of Fullerton about the public sewer main.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.