Top Plumbing Issues in Los Angeles and How to Prevent Them

Los Angeles, CA has warm, dry summers with mild, wet winters. Locals enjoy ample sunshine and the perfect weather for year-round activities. Living in Los Angeles is not without its drawbacks. With a notoriously high cost of living and a dense population, people in the Los Angeles area lead busy lives. This makes it easy to overlook general plumbing maintenance. Unfortunately, the region’s aging infrastructure and hard water result in frequent plumbing issues. The following are common plumbing issues homeowners in this area encounter, along with tips to prevent them. Our team at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric is the go-to expert for solving and preventing common plumbing issues.

Why Los Angeles Homes Face Unique Plumbing Challenges

Los Angeles has a diverse mix of modern and historic homes. New construction in LA features high-functioning plumbing components and a strong emphasis on reduced water waste. Older and historic properties can have outdated plumbing materials, leaky fixtures, and inefficient connected appliances.

Many older homes in Los Angeles have clay sewer pipes. Although durable, clay pipes become increasingly prone to cracks as they age. They’re also easily damaged by tree and weed roots, which can cause serious blockages.

Some Los Angeles homes built between 1940 and 1970 have Orangeburg pipes. The paper-and-tar construction of these pipes makes them prone to severe deterioration over time.

Los Angeles is the nation’s most densely populated urban area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population density is 7,476 people per square mile. Dense populations have a marked impact on plumbing infrastructure, including:

• Increased surface runoff
• Overwhelmed drainage
• Reduced groundwater replenishment
• Built-up scale and sediment in municipal sewer systems
• Increased contaminants in stormwater
• Elevated disease and odor risks in stagnant water

Los Angeles has hard, mineral-heavy water. Hard water has high concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Without whole-house water softeners, homes and apartment buildings can develop considerable mineral scale in their water supply lines, wastewater pipes, and sewer lines.

Scale buildup reduces the aesthetic appeal of plumbing fixtures, slows wastewater flow, and shortens pipe lifespan. They also make plumbing-connected appliances less efficient and less effective.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 53% of Los Angeles County experienced abnormally dry conditions in 2025. Drought is a normal part of California’s climate, and Southern California cities are often the most affected. Droughts dry out local soils, leading to compaction. These changes place extreme pressure on underground sewer lines. Soil shifting and erosion can cause sewer line cracks, offset pipe sections, leaks, and more.

Drought and climate-related water restrictions also affect sewer lines and plumbing systems. Insufficient landscape irrigation during prolonged droughts contributes to adverse soil changes.

Clogged Drains and Sewer Backups

Clogged drains and sewer backups are a common plumbing issue. In older homes, contaminants such as hair, soap scum, grease, and body oils can adhere to pipe walls and form tough, tacky coatings. In heavily treed neighborhoods, aggressive tree and weed roots encroach upon sewer lines and block the flow of waste.

Professional drain cleaning services remove built-up hair, soap scum, and other debris, flushing them into the municipal sewer lines. Treatments such as hydro jetting and mechanized drain snaking leave pipe interiors clean and pristine.

You should schedule professional drain cleaning at least once each year. If your drains are foul-smelling or slow-moving, schedule a drain cleaning as a corrective action. Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric offers expert drain and sewer services. We can safely and swiftly inspect and clear dirty drains and clogged sewer lines.

For added prevention, never put grease, rendered fats, or cooking oils down your drains. Instead, allow them to cool and store them in leak-proof containers. Then, discard them.

Every Los Angeles home needs preventative sewer service. For best results, schedule sewer line inspections and cleaning services annually.

Leaky Pipes and Water Damage

Corrosion, temperature fluctuations, high water pressure, and scale buildup can cause leaks in plumbing systems. Unfortunately, not all leaks are readily apparent. Many plumbing leaks can hide behind drywall and other building materials, undetected for months.

During plumbing inspections, Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric checks for slow and hidden leaks. You should schedule these services annually to catch leaks early on. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, our skilled plumbers can quickly locate leaks and repair or replace leaking pipes. You should also schedule professional leak detection whenever you have:

• Sudden increases in your water bill
• Rising indoor humidity
• Dripping sounds behind your drywall
• Decreased water pressure

If you’re dealing with high water pressure, it can strain your pipes and cause leaks. Pressure can be controlled using pressure-regulating devices.

Water Heater Problems

It’s common for Los Angeles homeowners to experience water heater issues, including inconsistent water temperature, sediment buildup, or complete equipment failure. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and can lead to noisy and inefficient operation and corrosion. Schedule water heater services with Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric to flush out trapped sediment, check for leaks, and replace the sacrificial anode rod. These services improve performance and efficiency.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure in Los Angeles homes is often caused by mineral buildup and hidden leaks. However, reduced water pressure can also indicate faulty pressure regulators. If your taps are on but you’re getting weak streams, schedule plumbing service with our team. If your home is old, you may have corroded galvanized pipes that are contributing to the problem. We can clean faucet aerators and check for leaks. Professional diagnosis is important if the issue persists.

Hard Water and Scale Buildup

Hard water leaves heavy scale deposits in pipes, appliances, and faucets. These buildups affect water flow, quality, and efficiency. They diminish the lifespan of dishwashers, garbage disposals, water heaters, and washing machines. Protect your pipes and plumbing-connected appliances with water treatment solutions from Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. This includes whole-home water softeners and filtration systems. We can help extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and improve water quality.

Running or Clogged Toilets

Running toilets waste a substantial amount of water. Problems such as blocked drain lines, mineral buildup, and worn flappers can cause continuous waste. You can check the water level in your toilet tank. If it’s too high, adjust it so water doesn’t overflow. For broken flappers and other damaged components, call Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. Repeated clogs may indicate underlying drainage issues that require expert intervention.

Sewer Line Damage and Tree Root Intrusion

Los Angeles is home to several tree species with highly invasive root systems, including eucalyptus, ficus, and tree of heaven. When paired with aging, rapidly deteriorating sewer lines, these trees are among the top Los Angeles plumbing problems due to root encroachment. You can prevent or mitigate tree root encroachment through regular maintenance of drains and sewers. We offer trenchless repair and video inspections to minimize excavation.

Faucet and Fixture Leaks

In drought-prone LA, a leaky faucet is far more than a minor nuisance. A single faucet leak can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water annually. Upgrade to water-efficient fixtures to reduce water use and lower water bills. Replace worn washers or schedule professional leak repairs to prevent constant dripping.

Preventive Maintenance for Long-Term Plumbing Health

You can maintain a clean and high-functioning plumbing system in your Los Angeles home with a proactive maintenance plan. Your proactive maintenance plan should include:

• Annual whole-house plumbing inspections
• Annual drain cleaning
• Regular sewer line inspection and cleaning
• Timely leak repairs
• Annual water heater flushing
• Water softener installation
• Water filtration equipment

Book Plumbing Services with Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric Today

Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric has proudly served Los Angeles since 1999 with local plumbing expertise. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including water heater maintenance, water treatment solutions, and drain and sewer repair. We’re a Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited company with a stellar reputation. Our clients can expect fast, friendly service, cutting-edge technologies, and total transparency.

Although there are many common Los Angeles plumbing problems, you can prevent most with regular maintenance and professional care. Contact Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today to schedule a whole-house plumbing inspection, drain service, water heater tune-up, or water treatment consultation.