El Modena is one of the older communities in what is now east Orange. Alongside older cottages you'll find plenty of tract homes from the postwar building boom of the 1950s and 1960s. Those tract homes are usually single-story on slab-on-grade foundations, with the water heater in the garage or an interior closet and copper or galvanized supply lines.
That mix matters. In an older raised-foundation home, gas and water lines may run under the floor. In a slab tract home, they usually run overhead or through walls to the garage heater. Either way, decades of hard water tend to have left their mark on the heater and the fittings around it.
Two common El Modena setups
Older raised-floor home
- Heater in a closet, porch or garage added later
- Lines may run through the crawlspace
- Mixed pipe materials from past repairs
- Strapping may be missing or improvised
1950s-60s slab tract home
- Heater on a platform in the garage
- Copper or galvanized supply lines
- Original venting may have been altered over time
- Clay or cast-iron sewer lateral to the street
Quick checks at the heater
- Rust or mineral crust on the fittings at the top of the tank
- Straps present and anchored into studs
- A dry floor or platform under the tank
- A vent connector firmly attached and sloping upward
- A clear path for the relief valve discharge pipe
Local notes
- Water
- Hard; most of Orange is served by the city's own water utility, so confirm your provider on your bill
- Gas
- SoCalGas
- Trees and laterals
- Mature trees on older lots can root into clay sewer laterals; that's a separate drain issue from the heater
- Permits
- Check with the City of Orange
Ask before replacement
- Is the existing gas line and vent suitable for the new heater?
- Should old galvanized nipples or connectors be replaced too?
- Does the platform or stand meet current requirements?
Common questions
Are El Modena homes mostly slab or raised?
Both exist. Postwar tract homes are generally slab-on-grade, while some older homes sit on raised foundations.
Who supplies water in El Modena?
Most of Orange is served by the City of Orange's water utility. Your water bill confirms your provider.
Do I need to worry about the sewer lateral when replacing a heater?
Not usually. Lateral roots are a drain issue, but it's worth mentioning any slow drains to the plumber while they're there.
General information for Orange, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.