Repiping in Yorba Linda, CA

Is my house at the age where repiping comes up?

Quite possibly. City-stats.com puts Yorba Linda's median year built at 1984. Copper of that age can develop pinholes, often first on hot water lines, and fittings and valves from the era start to wear out. Homes built well before the median are the likeliest to have galvanized steel or heavily corroded copper. Newer homes, especially on the hillside east side, usually need targeted repairs.

Signs that point toward a repipe rather than another patch:

• Several leaks in different rooms within a couple of years
• Blue-green stains or crust at copper joints
• Weak flow throughout the house
• Repeated slab leaks on original lines

Who supplies my water, and how hard is it?

Most residents are served by Yorba Linda Water District, and some by Golden State Water Company; the city says the provider depends on where you live. YLWD's water is mostly local Orange County Basin groundwater, about 85 percent, with roughly 15 percent imported. Golden State Water's Placentia-Yorba Linda system reports average hardness of 11.0 grains per gallon, ranging from 3.92 to 17.5. For YLWD's hardness, check the district's own water quality report. Either way, scale is worth discussing when you choose fittings and decide whether to add a softener.

What does the city require?

The City of Yorba Linda Building Division issues plumbing permits from City Hall at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, 714-961-7120. The city's building FAQ also notes that Yorba Linda Water District may have its own submittal requirements on some projects. The plumber normally handles the permit; ask whether any water district review applies if the job includes the line from the meter.

A local note

Yorba Linda has extensive horse trails and hillside areas on its eastern side, so homes range from single-story houses on slabs to multi-level hillside designs. On a slab, overhead routing through the attic is the norm, and the old under-floor lines are capped. A multi-level hillside home may need longer vertical runs, and the plumber should check water pressure at the lowest floor, where it is highest. A pressure regulator that has failed is hard on new pipe, so it is worth testing during the job.