Slab Leak Repair
Pinhole leaks under the slab are the signature problem of this housing age, often found through a jump in the water bill.
See the detailsPlumbing repair for Simi Valley homes (93065)
Simi Valley's tract homes have aged into slab leaks, tired heaters and clogged laterals, and hard water speeds all of it along. Call the line any hour and we will come over the 118.
Plumbing in Simi Valley, in short
Simi Valley calls lean toward slab leaks, repipes in 1960s and 1970s houses, water heater replacements, earthquake strapping and gas shutoff valves, and sewer clogs in older laterals. We find the cause, explain the options and typical costs, and pull permits through the City of Simi Valley.
How we cover Simi Valley
Simi Valley grew quickly from the 1960s through the 1980s, and most of the city is single-family tract housing laid out across the valley floor and up the surrounding hills. The 118 runs straight through, which gives us a direct line in from Chatsworth and Porter Ranch on the Los Angeles side.
The 1994 Northridge earthquake hit Simi Valley hard too, damaging homes, water heaters and gas lines here as well as in the San Fernando Valley. Many homes have been strapped and upgraded since, but plenty still have bracing that would not hold up to a careful look today.
Homes and pipes
What Simi Valley tract homes are built with
- Slab foundations throughoutNearly all tract homes here sit on concrete slabs, so supply lines and many drains run beneath the floor.
- Copper supply under the slabOriginal copper lines have carried hard water for decades and develop pinhole leaks where they rub concrete.
- Clay soil pocketsParts of the valley have clay soils that swell and shrink with moisture, putting stress on slabs and buried pipe.
- Hillside streets on the valley edgesNeighborhoods climbing into the hills face steep sewer laterals and higher water pressure on the lower lots.
What people call about
The most common Simi Valley plumbing calls
Whole-House Repiping
After a second or third slab leak, many owners move all supply lines overhead rather than keep opening floors.
See the detailsWater Heater Earthquake Strapping
Older heaters often have one strap, loose bracing or rigid gas pipe, which we bring up to the two-strap standard.
See the detailsWater Heater Replacement
Hard water and garage heat age tanks quickly, and replacements need strapping, correct venting and a city permit.
See the detailsMain Line Clog Clearing
Roots and grease build up in older laterals, causing whole-house backups that start at the lowest drain.
See the detailsWater Softener Installation
Scale on fixtures and inside heaters leads many households to soften the water where it enters the house.
See the detailsSlab leaks, repipes and quake prep in Simi Valley
The pattern we see in Simi Valley is familiar: one slab leak gets fixed, then another appears a year or two later on a different line. That happens because the copper is thinning everywhere. A repipe that reroutes lines through the attic takes the plumbing out of the slab entirely, and most homes are finished in a few days.
When a leak does turn up, the first step is finding it precisely. We use acoustic and thermal leak locating so the opening in the floor is small and in the right place. Read our slab leak signs article to know what to watch for between visits.
Earthquake prep is worth an hour of your time. Check your heater for two straps, one in the upper third and one in the lower third, plus a flexible gas line. A seismic shutoff valve at the meter adds protection by closing the gas automatically in strong shaking.
Questions we hear
Questions from Simi Valley
Why are slab leaks so common in Simi Valley homes?
So many homes here were built in the same era on slabs with copper lines, and those lines are now decades old. Hard water and high pressure speed up the wear, and shifting clay soil adds stress. A rising water bill, warm floors and the sound of running water are the usual first signs.
Is repiping a Simi Valley slab home worth it after one leak?
After one leak, a spot repair is often reasonable. After two or more, or if the copper looks thin when we open the slab, a repipe usually costs less over time than repeated floor repairs and water damage. We show you what we find in the pipe and give typical ranges for both paths.
Do I need a seismic gas shutoff valve in my Simi Valley house?
Most existing homes are not required to have one, but rules vary by city and some jurisdictions call for one during major remodels, so ask before a big project. Many owners add one anyway after what happened in 1994. The valve closes on its own in strong shaking, and appliances need relighting after it trips.
Who do I call about a broken water line at a Simi Valley house?
Start at the meter. If water is coming up at the meter box or in the street, the break belongs to your water provider, which in Simi Valley is either a county waterworks district or a private water company depending on your street. Between the meter and the house, the line is yours. Close the main shutoff and call us to repair or replace the service line.
Next door
Nearby areas we also cover
Chatsworth 91311
Water main, gas line and water heater work for Chatsworth homes, horse properties and hillside lots at the northwest corner of the Valley.
Local detailsPorter Ranch 91326
Tankless heater, leak and water treatment work for Porter Ranch's newer hillside homes and gated communities in the north Valley foothills.
Local detailsThousand Oaks 91360
Plumbing for Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and the Conejo Valley, covering water heaters, slab leaks, drains, hard water and gas lines.
Local detailsVentura County
Plumbing repair for the east end of Ventura County, focused on Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark and the Conejo Valley communities.
Local detailsPlumbing trouble in Simi Valley?
One phone line, answered around the clock. Tell us the street and what you are seeing.