If water is spreading or sewage is backing up in a Spring Valley home, close the main shutoff first; on any gas smell, leave and call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Spring Valley.
Spring Valley in a nutshell
Spring Valley is an unincorporated East County community of mostly single-family homes, with denser multi-family housing added since the 1970s. Water comes from Helix Water District or Otay Water District depending on the address, so the agency name on your water bill matters when the problem is at the meter. Sewer is mostly the San Diego County Sanitation District, which sends wastewater to the City of San Diego's Point Loma plant, but some pockets are not on municipal sewer and use a private onsite wastewater system.
What to do in the first few minutes
- Find the house shutoff, often near the front hose bib or in the garage, and close it. Open a low faucet to drain the lines.
- For a leaking water heater, turn off its gas or power and close the cold supply.
- If drains are backing up, stop using water everywhere in the house.
- If you smell gas, get out first. From a safe spot, call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343.
- For water coming from the street or the meter box, call your water agency. Helix's number is 619-466-0585; Otay customers use the number on their bill.
- Take photos of the damage, then call a plumber.
Clues and likely causes
| What you're seeing | What it usually points to |
|---|---|
| Sewage rising in the lowest drain | A clog or break in the private line to the County sewer |
| Every drain sluggish in a home not on municipal sewer | A problem in the line to the onsite system or in the system itself |
| Water heater sitting in a puddle | A failed tank, often worn by hard water |
| Meter spinning with all fixtures off | A hidden leak in a wall, the slab or the yard line |
| No water at any tap | A closed valve, a failed regulator or a main break |
For Helix-served homes, treated water averages about 12 grains per gallon of hardness, which is hard on tanks and valves.
Cost factors
- The hour and day you call, since after-hours work usually costs more.
- Whether the leak is exposed or hidden in a slab, wall or yard.
- Whether the drain problem is a simple clog or a broken line that needs digging.
- Permits: Spring Valley is unincorporated, so larger plumbing jobs go through the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services Building Division.
Emergency Plumber questions in Spring Valley
My area is served by more than one water agency. How do I find out which one is mine?
Our home isn't on municipal sewer and the drains are backing up. Who handles that?
Sewage is rising in a shower or tub. What do I do before help arrives?
Could a leak under the slab be an emergency?
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