Many El Cajon homes date to the 1970s, so hidden leaks there often come from aging supply lines, fittings and valves, and the first sign is usually a bigger water bill or a meter that keeps moving. A plumber can isolate and test the system to locate the leak with as little demolition as possible. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in El Cajon.
Is my El Cajon house old enough to worry about hidden leaks?
Possibly. The median El Cajon home was built around 1974, which means a lot of houses in neighborhoods such as Fletcher Hills and Bostonia may still have original supply piping, shutoff valves and drain lines. Copper that has been in service that long can develop pinholes, galvanized steel corrodes from the inside, and old compression fittings under sinks work loose. None of that guarantees a leak, but in a home this age a bill that creeps up without explanation deserves a test rather than a guess. A plumber will start by watching the meter with everything off, then close valves to split the house into sections until the losing one turns up.
Who do I call if the leak might be on the utility's side?
That depends on your water agency, and El Cajon has two. The city lists Helix Water District (619-466-0585) and Padre Dam Municipal Water District (619-448-3111) as providers, and which one serves you depends on the address. Water bubbling up near the meter or in the street should be reported to whichever one bills you. If the problem is sewage rather than clean water, the City of El Cajon runs the sewer collection system: call Public Works Operations at (619) 441-1658 during business hours or El Cajon Police at (619) 579-3311 after hours for an overflow. The city also offers sewer lateral inspections.
Does El Cajon's water make leaks more likely?
It plays a part. Helix reports that its treated plant water averages about 12 grains per gallon of hardness, and it uses chloramines in the distribution system. Hard water leaves scale on valve seats, toilet fill valves and faucet cartridges, which eventually stop sealing and start to drip. That is why a toilet that runs on its own is one of the most common hidden leaks a plumber finds. Helix also states it has no lead pipes or service lines in its distribution system and offers an online lookup map. Padre Dam customers should check their own district's report.
A note on gas
Leak detection here means water. If you smell gas while searching, stop, get everyone out, and from a safe place call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343. SDG&E notes that customers are responsible for gas lines on their side of the meter, including buried lines to outbuildings or equipment.
Leak Detection questions in El Cajon
Could a toilet be the reason my water use went up?
What if the leak seems to be in the sewer line rather than the water line?
Should the main shutoff be closed until the plumber gets there?
How can I find out what my water service line is made of?
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