Many Los Angeles homes are decades old, and so is their plumbing. Galvanized pipes rust from the inside, slab leaks hide under floors, and earthquakes can break water lines and topple water heaters. Water saving rules also shape how homes use water.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent plumbing provider that serves the Los Angeles area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Common plumbing problems in Los Angeles
Old galvanized pipes
Many older homes still have galvanized steel pipes, which rust from the inside, reduce water pressure and eventually leak.
Slab leaks
Homes on concrete slabs can develop leaks under the floor that go unnoticed until the bill jumps.
Earthquakes
Strong shaking can break water and gas lines. California requires water heaters to be strapped to resist earthquakes.
Sewer laterals
Tree roots and old pipes cause blockages in the sewer lateral that runs from the home to the city sewer.
Areas across Los Angeles
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Los Angeles, including neighborhoods such as Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Westwood, Venice, Van Nuys, North Hollywood and San Pedro, and in nearby cities such as Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Culver City, Inglewood and Long Beach.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Los Angeles. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Los Angeles, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Homes in other cities, such as Glendale, Pasadena or Santa Monica, follow the rules of that city or county.
In California, most construction and repair work above a small dollar amount must be done by a contractor licensed by the Contractors State License Board. You can check a license on the board’s website.
Seasonal risks in Los Angeles
If you smell gas, leave the home and call 911 or your gas company from outside. If water is near electrics, stay out of it.
- Winter storms: heavy rain can overwhelm drains and sewer laterals.
- Dry months: water saving rules limit outdoor watering.
- Any time: earthquakes can break lines without warning.
- All year: aging pipes can fail.
Be prepared
- Make sure your water heater is strapped
- Know where your main water and gas shut offs are
- Watch for low pressure or rusty water, signs of old pipes
- Have older sewer laterals checked with a camera
- Fix leaks and running toilets quickly to save water
Learn more before you call
Our main plumbing guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Los Angeles just as it does everywhere else.
Los Angeles questions
Who is responsible for the sewer lateral in Los Angeles?
Property owners are generally responsible for the sewer lateral from the home to the city sewer. Check with LA Sanitation if unsure.
Do plumbers need a license in California?
Plumbing contractors must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. Check a license before hiring.
Should I replace galvanized pipes?
If you have low pressure, rusty water or repeated leaks, repiping is often worth considering. Ask a plumber to check.
Does Sifixit have an office in Los Angeles?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Los Angeles area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.