Fix the leak
- Good for a single leak in otherwise sound pipe
- Lowest cost today
- Does not address the rest of the old pipe
- Makes sense if you plan a full remodel soon
ZIP 92626
Plumber for College Park homes in Costa Mesa
College Park is the late-1950s Costa Mesa tract whose streets are named after universities and colleges. The City places it roughly between Merrimac Way and Wilson St, from Harbor Blvd to Fairview Rd. Its homes are now more than 65 years old, and so is much of the pipe in them.
Call (657) 669-4766Request service
Written and fact-checked by John, editor, MBA in marketing
Updated against City, utility and state sources
Quick answer
College Park is a Costa Mesa subdivision bounded roughly by Merrimac Way, Wilson St, Harbor Blvd and Fairview Rd, with streets named after universities. Most homes date from the late 1950s, so the usual calls are aging drain lines, root-damaged clay laterals, old supply pipe, worn water heaters and remodel repipes. Call (657) 669-4766 any hour.
- Boundaries (City map)
- Merrimac Way, Wilson St, Harbor Blvd, Fairview Rd
- Built
- Late 1950s
- Street names
- Universities and colleges
- ZIP code
- 92626
College Park at a glance
College Park is a single-family subdivision in Costa Mesa, built in the late 1950s, with streets named after universities and colleges.
- Where it is
- The City of Costa Mesa's historical preservation map places the subdivision roughly between Merrimac Way on the north and Wilson St on the south, with Harbor Blvd on the west and Fairview Rd on the east
- Street names
- Named after universities and colleges, according to the same City map. Examples from local listings include Notre Dame Rd, Villanova Rd and Rutgers Dr.
- When it was built
- Late 1950s. Local real estate guides describe it as one of Costa Mesa's first planned communities, with one giving 1956 to 1959 as the building years.
- Homes
- Mostly single-family houses, often 3 to 4 bedrooms and about 1,400 to 1,600 square feet, on lots that one guide puts at 6,000 to 8,000 square feet
- School
- College Park Elementary, 2380 Notre Dame Rd (Newport-Mesa Unified)
- Nearby
- Orange Coast College on Fairview Rd, the OC Fair & Event Center on Fair Drive, City Hall at 77 Fair Drive
- ZIP code
- 92626
- Sewer
- Costa Mesa Sanitary District local sewers, treated by OC San
How College Park got its name and its houses
College Park was built in the late 1950s, near Orange Coast College, as Costa Mesa grew fast after incorporating in 1953.
- 1920
Harper becomes Costa Mesa
The small town of Harper, which grew around a siding on the Santa Ana and Newport Railway, was renamed Costa Mesa on May 11, 1920.
- 1930
Wilson St on the map
The City's historical notes say Wilson St, College Park's south edge, appears on a 1930 map and is named for President Wilson.
- 1940s
The air base and the boom
The Santa Ana Army Air Base trained thousands of people during World War II, and many came back to settle. The base land later became the fairgrounds on Fair Drive.
- 1953
Costa Mesa incorporates
The City incorporated on June 29, 1953. Charles TeWinkle became its first mayor.
- 1956 to 1959
College Park is built
Local guides date the tract to the late 1950s and call it one of the city's first planned communities. A home on Littleton Pl, off Villanova Rd, is listed in public records as built in 1959.
- 1960s and 1970s
The city fills in
About 19.2% of Costa Mesa's homes were built in the 1950s, 25.4% in the 1960s and 24.1% in the 1970s, according to the City's 2021 Housing Element.
That timeline is the key to the plumbing. A house built in 1959 has had more than 65 years of use. Most College Park homes have been updated in some way: new kitchens, new baths, a newer water heater. But the parts nobody sees, the drain line under the slab and the sewer lateral out to the street, are often original.
What plumbing is usually inside a late-1950s Costa Mesa home
Homes from the late 1950s were usually built with cast iron or galvanized drains, galvanized steel or early copper supply lines and a clay sewer lateral to the street.
| System | What was common then | What we often find now | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water supply | Galvanized steel or early copper | A mix: original pipe in some walls, copper or PEX where rooms were remodeled | Low pressure, rusty water at one fixture, pinhole leaks |
| Drains and vents | Cast iron, some galvanized drain arms | Original cast iron under the slab, ABS where baths were redone | Slow drains, odors, cracked or scaled cast iron |
| Sewer lateral | Vitrified clay | Often original clay, sometimes a spot repair | Roots at joints, offsets, recurring main line clogs |
| Water heater | Gas tank in a garage or closet | A newer replacement, sometimes not to the current City standard | Missing straps, old relief drain, age past 10 to 15 years |
| Gas piping | Black steel | Original gas lines plus added runs for dryers, ranges and grills | Old flexible connectors, unpermitted additions |
One fact matters here. Mesa Water District completed its first service line inventory in 2024 and found no lead or galvanized service lines requiring replacement in its distribution system. That covers the utility's lines. It does not tell you what is inside your walls. The pipe on your side of the meter is the owner's to inspect.
The Costa Mesa Sanitary District's sewer permit guide notes that existing laterals in the street or alley are 6-inch clay. Clay pipe is durable, but its joints are where roots find a way in, especially on streets with trees that are now six decades old.
Sewer laterals and roots on College Park's tree-lined streets
The most common serious plumbing problem in 1950s Costa Mesa tracts is a clay sewer lateral with roots at the joints, and it shows up as a main line that keeps clogging.
Listings in College Park describe it as a neighborhood of tree-lined streets. That is part of its appeal, and it is also why we see root problems here. Roots seek out moisture. An older clay joint that has shifted even slightly leaks a little water and warm air into the soil, and fine roots follow it in. Over a few years they form a mat that catches paper and grease.
Signs your lateral needs a look
- The toilet gurgles when the washer drains
- Water backs up into the tub or shower when you flush
- Several drains are slow at once, not just one sink
- The main line needed clearing last year and needs it again
- A soggy or extra-green strip in the front yard
Stop running water
If fixtures are backing up, stop using water in the house. Every flush adds to the overflow.
Clear the line
We open the line at the cleanout and clear it with a cable or a jetter so the house drains again.
Camera the lateral
A camera shows where the roots are, how far out they are and whether the pipe is cracked, offset or sagging. You see the video.
Written options
You get options in writing: scheduled maintenance, a spot repair, replacement or lining where the pipe allows.
Permits and CMSD rules
Work that builds or changes a lateral needs a sewer plan with CMSD, and a reused lateral must be camera inspected with the video sent to CMSD and defects repaired. We handle those steps.
Where your responsibility ends and the district's begins is a question for CMSD. Call the Costa Mesa Sanitary District at (949) 645-8400 and ask about your address. A plumber works on your drains and lateral either way. Our sewer lateral guide and sewer line camera and repair page explain more. For grease and root buildup, hydro jetting cleans the whole pipe wall.
Old supply pipe, pinhole leaks and repipes in College Park
When a late-1950s home has low pressure, discolored water at certain taps or repeated pinhole leaks, the supply pipe is usually near the end of its life.
Galvanized steel pipe rusts from the inside. Over decades the inside diameter shrinks, pressure drops and rust flakes break loose. Early copper lasts longer, but after more than 60 years it can thin and pinhole. Many College Park homes now have a mix: copper or PEX in a remodeled kitchen and original pipe running to a back bathroom.
Repipe the house
- Replaces old supply lines with PEX or copper
- Ends the cycle of repeat leaks
- Needs a City of Costa Mesa permit (Water Repipe is a listed work type)
- Often done room by room with walls patched after
Angi's published range for a whole-house repipe is $1,500 to $15,000, depending on size, material and access. These are national estimates, not our prices. Call (657) 669-4766 for an exact quote. Our whole-house repiping page compares PEX and copper, and our leak detection page covers leaks you cannot see.
Water heaters in College Park garages
Most College Park homes have a tank water heater in the garage, and replacing it in Costa Mesa means meeting the City's water heater installation standard.
The tank in a 1950s garage is almost never the original, but it may be a replacement installed before today's rules. When we replace it, we bring it up to the City of Costa Mesa water heater standard (form dated 09-2024):
- Seismic straps at the upper and lower third of the tank
- No shutoff or check valve before or after the T&P relief valve
- A relief drain at least 3/4 inch
- No PEX or similar plastic tubing within the first 18 inches of the heater
- No water heaters in bedrooms or bathrooms, and not visible to the public
- Inspection booked in TESSA
The U.S. Department of Energy says tank heaters typically last 10 to 15 years. Mesa Water's 2025 data puts local groundwater hardness at an average of about 6.6 grains per gallon, with a range of about 1.2 to 17, and imported backup water around 14. Our water hardness guide explains what that means for sediment.
Angi's 2025 published range for a tank water heater replacement is $600 to $2,500 installed. Call (657) 669-4766 for an exact quote. See water heater repair and replacement for the full process, or tankless water heaters if you are thinking about switching.
Remodeling a College Park home: plumbing to plan for
Remodels in College Park often uncover original drains and supply pipe, so the best time to replace old plumbing is while the walls and floors are already open.
Listings for College Park homes often present them as renovation or redevelopment opportunities. When a 1950s house gets a new kitchen, a second bath or an added room, the plumbing questions come early:
- Is the drain under the slab sound? A camera inspection before the new floor goes in costs far less than breaking the new floor later.
- Can the lateral handle more fixtures? Adding a bathroom adds load to an old clay line.
- Is the gas line big enough? A new range, a tankless heater or an outdoor kitchen may need a larger gas line. See our gas line plumber page.
- Who pulls the permit? The City's plumbing permit application lists Water Repipe, Gas Repipe, Expansion Tank, Sewer Connect and Sewer Private Line among its work types. Building Safety is at 77 Fair Drive, 2nd floor, 714-754-5273.
The City's construction hours apply: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no work on Sundays or major holidays. Our Costa Mesa plumbing permit guide covers the full process.
Common plumbing calls in College Park
In College Park we mostly see main line clogs, aging supply pipe, water heater replacements and fixture repairs in original bathrooms.
Main line clogs
Roots and scale in old clay and cast iron. See drain cleaning.
Pinhole and slab leaks
Old supply pipe giving out in walls or under the slab. We find it before anyone opens a floor.
Water heater replacement
Garage tanks past their service life, replaced to the City standard with a permit.
Original bathroom fixtures
Worn valves, running toilets and leaky faucets. See toilets, faucets and fixtures.
Rental turnovers
Many homes near the colleges are rented. Owners call between tenants for checks and repairs.
Remodel plumbing
New baths, kitchens and gas lines with permits pulled and inspections booked.
Costa Mesa is a renter city. The City's 2023 economic profile says only 40.3% of housing units are owner occupied. Near two colleges, many single-family homes are rentals. If you rent, report a leak to your landlord in writing right away. If you own a rental here, our landlord and property manager page explains how we coordinate access and report back.
Who serves College Park's water and sewer
Sewer service in College Park comes from the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, and water most likely comes from Mesa Water District, but your bill is the only sure answer.
Mesa Water District serves about 110,000 people in most of Costa Mesa, part of Newport Beach and some unincorporated areas. Its water is 100% local groundwater from nine wells plus the Mesa Water Reliability Facility, with imported water as backup. IRWD also serves parts of Costa Mesa. Check the name on your bill.
- Mesa Water District
- 1965 Placentia Ave; 949-631-1200; after hours press 9 for Costa Mesa Police dispatch or call 714-754-5251
- IRWD
- 949-453-5300, if your bill says IRWD
- Costa Mesa Sanitary District
- 290 Paularino Ave; (949) 645-8400; also runs curbside trash for homes and buildings up to 4 units
- City Building Safety
- 77 Fair Drive, 2nd floor; 714-754-5273
- SoCalGas
- Gas leaks: 1-800-427-2200
Our who to call for water and sewer guide sorts out which agency handles which problem.
Published cost ranges for older-home plumbing jobs
Published national ranges help College Park owners budget, but a 1950s house with original pipe can fall anywhere in a range depending on access and condition.
| Job | Published range | Source and year |
|---|---|---|
| Main sewer line clearing | $100 to $800 | HomeAdvisor, 2025 |
| Sewer camera inspection | $275 to $1,800 | Angi, 2026 |
| Sewer line replacement | $1,388 to $5,323 | Angi, 2026 |
| Slab leak detection | $150 to $600 | HomeAdvisor via Angi, 2024 |
| Slab leak repair | $630 to $4,400 | HomeAdvisor via Angi, 2024 |
| Whole-house repipe | $1,500 to $15,000 | Angi |
This Old House lists a typical Costa Mesa plumbing job at $117 to $391. Call (657) 669-4766 for an exact quote on your home. Our plumbing costs guide has more ranges and a quick estimator.
Neighborhoods around College Park
College Park sits in the middle of Costa Mesa, between the colleges, the fairgrounds and the older Westside and Eastside neighborhoods.
East across Fairview Rd you reach the fairgrounds, TeWinkle Park and the rest of Central Costa Mesa, including Mesa del Mar. West of Harbor Blvd is the Westside, and south of Wilson St the city runs toward the Eastside and 17th St. North past the I-405 is South Coast Metro. If you are not sure which area your street belongs to, just call. We cover all of Costa Mesa.
We never promise a specific arrival time. When you call, you get an honest arrival window and a written price before work starts.
Water where it shouldn't be? Call now.
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Questions Costa Mesa homeowners ask
Where is College Park in Costa Mesa?
The City of Costa Mesa's historical preservation map places the College Park subdivision roughly between Merrimac Way and Wilson St, with Harbor Blvd on the west and Fairview Rd on the east. Its streets are named after universities and colleges, and Orange Coast College is close by on Fairview Rd.
When were College Park homes built?
In the late 1950s. Local real estate guides call College Park one of Costa Mesa's first planned communities, and one gives 1956 to 1959 as the building years. A home on Littleton Pl is listed in public records as built in 1959.
Why does my College Park main line keep clogging?
Usually roots in an old clay sewer lateral. Homes from the late 1950s often still have the original clay line, and mature street trees send roots into its joints. A camera inspection shows where the roots enter and whether the pipe is cracked or offset.
Do I need to repipe my 1950s Costa Mesa house?
Not always, but often. Repeat pinhole leaks, low pressure or rusty water at some taps point to aging supply pipe. A repipe needs a City of Costa Mesa permit. Angi's published range is $1,500 to $15,000; call (657) 669-4766 for an exact quote.
Who is responsible for the sewer line from my house to the street?
Ask the Costa Mesa Sanitary District at (949) 645-8400 where its responsibility begins for your address. A plumber works on your home's drains and lateral either way, and CMSD requires a camera video for a reused lateral when a project changes it.
Who provides water to College Park?
Check your water bill. Mesa Water District serves most of Costa Mesa and IRWD serves parts of it. Mesa Water's after-hours line is 949-631-1200, press 9, or 714-754-5251. IRWD is 949-453-5300.
What school serves College Park in Costa Mesa?
College Park Elementary, at 2380 Notre Dame Rd, is a K to 6 school in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Check with the district for the boundary that applies to your address.
Can you replace a water heater in a College Park garage today?
Often, yes, depending on parts and the permit. The install must meet the City water heater standard: seismic straps, a 3/4 inch relief drain and no PEX within 18 inches of the tank. Call (657) 669-4766 for an honest arrival window and a written price.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these public sources, checked November 1, 2026.
- City of Costa Mesa, historical preservation map (street names, College Park)
- City of Costa Mesa, history of parks and facilities
- Malakai Sparks, College Park Costa Mesa neighborhood guide
- West Coast Self-Storage, five best Costa Mesa neighborhoods
- Listing, 2436 Littleton Pl, Costa Mesa (College Park, built 1959)
- Homes.com, College Park Elementary School
- Wikipedia, Costa Mesa, California
- City of Costa Mesa Housing Element, April 2021
- City of Costa Mesa, 2023 economic profile
- Mesa Water District 2026 consumer confidence report
- Mesa Water District, contact us
- IRWD 2026 report
- ISDOC, Costa Mesa Sanitary District
- CMSD sewer permit guide
- City of Costa Mesa Building Safety
- City of Costa Mesa plumbing permit application
- City of Costa Mesa water heater installation standard
- SoCalGas emergency information
- This Old House, Costa Mesa plumbing
- Angi, water heater installation cost
- Angi, cost to repipe a house
- Angi, sewer line replacement
- Angi, hydro jetting cost (camera range)
- HomeAdvisor, drain cleaning cost
- HomeAdvisor via Angi, slab leak repair cost
- EPA WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week