Plumbing Inspection in Yorba Linda, CA

Which water provider serves the house?

In this northeastern Orange County city, most residents are served by Yorba Linda Water District, while Golden State Water Company serves some addresses through its Placentia-Yorba Linda system. The City says the provider depends on where the home is. YLWD describes its role as providing both water and sewer service; for a home on Golden State Water, confirm the sewer agency with the seller. YLWD water is mostly local Orange County Basin groundwater, about 85 percent, with about 15 percent imported from the Metropolitan Water District.

What does the water do to fixtures and heaters?

It depends on the system. Golden State Water's latest report for the Placentia-Yorba Linda system lists hardness averaging 11.0 grains per gallon, with a range from 3.92 to 17.5. Golden State Water adds chlorine as a disinfectant, and the imported water it buys contains chloramine. YLWD customers can find the district's own figures in its annual water quality report at ylwd.com/waterquality. Either way, most Southern California water is hard enough that a plumber will look for scale in water heaters, aerators and valve cartridges, and check whether a softener, if there is one, is working.

What turns up in a house of this age?

City-stats.com puts the median year built at 1984. Homes from that period often still have original copper supply lines, older shutoff valves that won't close fully, water heaters that have been replaced at least once without updated strapping, and sewer lines that may have root intrusion on lots with mature landscaping. Hillside homes on the eastern side of the city can have long runs of pipe and pressure regulators working harder. A plumber will measure pressure, check the regulator and look for signs of slab or wall leaks.

A note on permits

The City of Yorba Linda Building Division, at City Hall on Casa Loma Avenue, issues plumbing permits; applications are submitted at its counter. The City's building FAQ notes that Yorba Linda Water District may have its own plan submittal requirements for some projects, so larger repairs such as a new service line may involve the district as well. Gas smell during any visit: leave the house, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.