The area at a glance

Westridge sits in the hilly part of La Habra around the golf course, with curving streets and homes built on graded lots. It was developed later than the flat tract neighborhoods closer to the city center, so many homes here have newer plumbing than the city's oldest houses.

Newer does not mean problem-free. Water heaters still wear out, supply hoses still fail, and hard water still leaves scale. On sloped lots, the route of the water service and sewer lateral can be longer or less obvious than on a flat street.

Plumbing traits to expect

Housing age
Generally newer than the city's postwar tracts; check your own year built
Supply pipes
Often copper; some homes may have been updated
Foundations
Many slab foundations on graded lots
Sewer laterals
Generally newer materials than the oldest neighborhoods, but confirm with a camera if problems arise
HOA
If your home is in an HOA, check what it maintains

Westridge-specific checks

  • Find out whether your HOA covers any shared lines, irrigation or common-area plumbing.
  • Locate your meter box, which may sit at a different level from the house on a slope.
  • Know where the sewer cleanout is; on sloped lots it may be in an unexpected spot.
  • Check water heater straps and relief valve piping in the garage.
  • Watch for soggy slopes, which can indicate an irrigation or service line leak.

Who to call

  • IfYou smell gasThenLeave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.
  • IfWater is flowing in a common area or streetThenNotify the HOA and the water utility.
  • IfThe leak is inside your home or on your lotThenClose your main and call a licensed plumber.
  • IfA slope is wet and you are unsure whyThenShut off irrigation first, then do the meter test.

Questions to ask a plumber here

  1. Where does my service line and lateral run on this lot?
  2. Is my pressure regulator working, given the elevation?
  3. Would any repair affect HOA landscaping or common areas?
Map of Westridge. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Does the HOA fix plumbing inside my home?

Usually not, but rules vary. Read your HOA documents or ask the management company.

Are slab leaks possible in newer homes?

Yes, though they are generally more associated with older copper lines. The warning signs are the same.

Who handles irrigation leaks?

Your own irrigation is usually yours. Common-area irrigation may be the HOA's. Check your documents.

General information for La Habra, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.