Repiping in Bloomington, CA

Local conditions in Bloomington

Bloomington is an unincorporated community between Fontana, Rialto and the Riverside County line. Parts of it remain semi-rural, with residents keeping animals, while warehouse development has replaced some older homes. That leaves a mix of older houses and larger lots where water lines can run a long way from the meter to the house, a barn or a stall.

West Valley Water District names Bloomington among the communities it serves, though whether every address is in WVWD territory was not verified. WVWD water is chlorinated and is a blend of local groundwater, Lytle Creek surface water and State Water Project water, so hardness varies by source: its report lists Lytle Creek water around 150 mg/L, State Water Project water around 84 mg/L, and groundwater roughly 140 to 250 mg/L. Scale builds faster on the harder end of that range.

Because Bloomington is unincorporated, plumbing permits go through San Bernardino County Land Use Services, Building & Safety. Any yard lines to troughs, stalls or a shop are worth including in the plumber's walk-through, since a failing outdoor run can mask or mimic a leak inside the house. New buried lines should sit deep enough and be protected where vehicles or animals cross them.

Repair or replace

Signs of trouble

• Wet ground along a buried line in dry weather
• Discolored water from older taps
• Weak pressure at the far end of the house or at outdoor spigots
• Corroded fittings at the water heater
• Repeated leaks in walls or under the slab

Timing notes

Attic work is slow in the summer heat, so fall through spring suits a planned repipe; an urgent leak should be handled right away. Buried yard lines are easier to trench when the ground is not baked hard. Ask the plumber to insulate any new exposed lines, since a frosty winter night can still split pipe. Note that a repipe of the supply lines does not change how a home's wastewater is handled; many Bloomington properties are not on municipal sewer.