Older San Dimas homes and the leaks they hide
A draft of the city's 2021-2029 Housing Element counted 12,803 homes in 2020. By decade, about 33 percent went up in the 1970s, 20 percent in the 1980s and 19 percent in the 1960s. Adding it up, roughly two-thirds of the housing stock predates 1980. It is a draft, so read it as a rough picture and not a census of your street.
What that means at your kitchen sink: supply lines, shutoff valves and water heaters from the original build can still be in service. Corroded pipe can seep inside a wall for weeks before a stain shows, and a seized valve will not close when you need it. Test your shutoffs once a year while nothing is wrong.
ANSI/IICRC S500 is the published standard for water damage restoration, and it is reasonable to ask any company, including us, if its crews work to it.
When water is spreading in San Dimas
Stop the source first. If you cannot, shut the main valve and call. Our dispatch line runs around the clock, nights and weekends included, and the crew that comes brings extraction units, air movers, LGR dehumidifiers, moisture meters and a thermal camera.
Standing water gets pumped out first, then the structure gets mapped for hidden moisture. Our water mitigation work covers the first days, when drywall, subfloor and insulation can still be saved. Waiting until morning is the choice that turns a dry-out into a rebuild.
If water is still spreading
Do these in order while you wait for the crew. Skip any step that puts you at risk.
- Close the main valveTurn it clockwise at the house. If it is stiff or stuck, do not force it with a wrench. Tell us on the call.
- Power off only if dryCut breakers to wet rooms only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water. Otherwise stay out and call the utility or 911.
- Lift what you canMove rugs, books, electronics and small furniture onto dry surfaces. Pad furniture legs with foil or plastic so stain does not transfer.
- Keep people and pets outWater from a toilet, drain or outside is contaminated. Keep children and animals away until the crew has assessed it.
- Call the 24/7 lineSay what failed, which rooms are wet and whether the water looks clear, gray or like sewage. Take photos before you move anything.
Common San Dimas leak sources and what they mean
The water category sets how much gets removed and how it is handled. These are starting points, and the crew confirms on site.
| Likely source | Category at the start | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Pinhole leak in a supply pipe | Category 1, clean | Shut the main, photograph, call |
| Water heater tank failure | Category 1, can degrade with time | Shut the cold supply to the heater, call |
| Washing machine or dishwasher hose | Category 1 to 2 | Close the local valve, unplug, call |
| Roof leak into attic insulation | Category 1 to 2 once it crosses insulation | Catch drips, tarp if safe, call |
| Sewer backup through a floor drain | Category 3, contaminated | Stay out, no cleanup yourself, call |
Clean water left sitting can slide to a higher category, which is another reason not to wait.
Call the dispatch line and describe what you see. Dispatch answers day or night, and a crew goes out when one is available.
Who handles what in San Dimas
The city lists Golden State Water Company, a private utility regulated by the CPUC, as the water provider. If water is gushing at the street meter or the leak sits before your shutoff, that is a call to them. A leak after the meter is yours, and so is the dry-out.
Permits run through the city's Building and Safety office at 245 E Bonita Ave. Ask there before you start structural rebuilding. California also requires a contractor licence when a job reaches $1,000 in labor and materials or needs a permit, so check any contractor on the CSLB website. For water damage repair after drying, get line-item bids in writing.
Ask the city which agency maintains the sewer main on your street before you assume a backup is your lateral or the main.
Insurance and slow leaks in San Dimas
Sudden and accidental water damage is often covered, long-term leaks often are not, and flood is usually excluded. Check your policy. Tell your insurer promptly, keep receipts and photograph everything before you discard anything.
The California Department of Insurance advises waiting for the adjuster before extensive permanent repairs. Drying itself should not wait, since protecting the property is part of your duty. If the damage started as a slow leak, talk to the adjuster before cleaning suspected mold, and read about mold remediation first.
Our San Dimas service area
Nearby towns we also serve
The same dispatch line covers Covina and Glendora, and the full list is on our service area page.
San Dimas water damage questions
Yes. The dispatch line is staffed 24 hours a day, every day, and calls are answered at night and on weekends. How fast a crew reaches you depends on conditions and the job queue, so we do not promise an arrival time. The call itself starts the plan.
We serve ZIP 91773, the one the city uses on its own published addresses, including Building and Safety on E Bonita Avenue and the Walker House on N. San Dimas Avenue. If your address shows a different ZIP, call anyway. We confirm coverage by street address.
Age alone does not mean failure, but original valves, supply lines and water heaters deserve a look. Check under sinks and around the heater for dampness, and test the main shutoff. A plumber can tell you what is worth replacing.
Call the water provider, which the city lists as Golden State Water Company. Leaks on your side of the meter are the homeowner's responsibility. If you are unsure which side it is, shut your main valve and see whether the flow stops.
Sudden and accidental leaks are often covered. Leaks that ran for a long time often are not. Ask your insurer, keep your photos and receipts, and do not discard damaged materials before the adjuster has seen them.
Most homes dry in a few days, though thick framing and older plaster can take longer. The crew checks moisture readings each visit and removes equipment only when the readings are back to normal. Thick framing and subfloors take longer than carpet.
That depends on the scope of the rebuild. Ask the San Dimas Building and Safety office before you start. Any contractor you hire must hold a California licence if the job reaches $1,000 or needs a permit.