A different kind of North OC neighborhood
Anaheim Hills, in the eastern part of Anaheim along the Santa Ana Canyon, developed mostly from the 1970s onward, later than the flat tract neighborhoods to the west. Homes are often two-story, built on graded hillside lots, and many have copper supply lines, with plastic drain piping more common than in older parts of the region.
That does not make the plumbing trouble-free. Copper installed in the 1970s and 80s has now carried hard water for decades, and pinhole leaks do occur. On hillside lots, the elevation of a house relative to the water system affects pressure, and many homes rely on a pressure regulator that eventually wears out.
Typical conditions
- Era
- Mostly 1970s to 90s, with some later homes.
- Lots
- Graded hillside lots, often with slopes and retaining walls.
- Supply pipe
- Copper is common; some homes repiped.
- Pressure
- Varies with elevation; regulators are common.
- Water utility
- Anaheim's city-run water utility.
Hillside-specific symptoms
- IfBanging pipes or toilets that refill loudlyThenPressure may be high; have the regulator tested.
- IfPressure suddenly drops throughout the houseThenA failing regulator or a leak; check the meter with everything off.
- IfDamp soil or erosion on a slope below the houseThenCheck for a leaking irrigation, supply or sewer line before the slope is affected.
- IfGreen spots on copper fittingsThenPossible slow leaks; have them checked.
Who to contact
| Need | Who |
|---|---|
| Water service, meter, pressure from the street | Anaheim's water utility, listed on your bill |
| Gas smell | Leave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside |
| Permits for repipes, heaters and sewer work | City of Anaheim; check with the city |
| HOA common-area plumbing | Your homeowners association, if you have one |
| Contractor license | cslb.ca.gov |
Good habits for Anaheim Hills homes
- Know where your pressure regulator is and ask a plumber to test it
- Watch slopes for unexplained wet spots
- Check irrigation systems regularly
- Keep water heater straps tight, especially in a garage on a slope
- Know whether your HOA covers any shared lines
Common questions
Do Anaheim Hills homes get slab leaks?
They can, depending on how the home was built and plumbed. Leaks in copper lines in walls and ceilings are also common in two-story homes.
What is a normal water pressure?
A plumber can measure it with a gauge and tell you whether your regulator is set appropriately.
Who handles water in Anaheim Hills?
Anaheim's own water utility. Check your bill.
General information for North Orange County, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.