Raymond Hills is one of Fullerton's established residential areas, with homes that are generally older than the city's later tract developments. Older houses are more likely to have a mix of original and replaced plumbing, and some sit on raised foundations with crawl spaces rather than slabs.
Every house has its own history of remodels and repairs, so these notes describe what to look for, not what you will find.
Patterns worth checking
- Housing
- Older single-family homes; many updated over time
- Foundations
- Some raised floors with crawl spaces; some slabs
- Supply lines
- Mix of galvanized and copper is possible
- Sewer laterals
- Clay or cast iron common in older homes
- Trees
- Mature trees; roots can enter older laterals
Older-home issues around the heater
| Issue | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Rusty hot and cold water | Are galvanized lines still in service? |
| Rigid gas connection to the heater | Should it be replaced with a flexible connector? |
| Old vent with rust | Does the vent suit a new heater? |
| Missing or single strap | Can it be brought up to current strapping? |
| No accessible shutoff | Can a working valve be added at the heater? |
Planning a replacement in an older house
- Inventory the installation.Note vent, gas connector, straps, valves and pipe material around the heater.
- Ask about updates.Request a written scope that lists which items will be updated.
- Check permit needs.Ask the contractor or check with the city about permits and inspection.
- Compare scopes.Use a worksheet so quotes are compared line by line.
Who to contact
- Gas smell
- Leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside
- Water service
- City of Fullerton water utility
- Permits
- City of Fullerton; check with the city
- License check
- cslb.ca.gov
Common questions
- Why is my hot and cold water both rusty?
- In older homes, galvanized supply lines are a common cause. Run the hot-versus-cold test and ask a plumber.
- Do older homes need extra work at replacement?
- Often some updates, such as straps, connectors or venting. Ask for them to be listed in writing.
- Do you cover Raymond Hills?
- Ask us to confirm your address when you get in touch. This is a preview site: the phone number shown is a temporary placeholder and the request form is not connected yet.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.