Aging supply lines and slab leaks
Large parts of the region were built in the 1950s to 1970s. Original galvanized supply pipe and copper lines running through slab foundations are common sources of hidden leaks.
Los Angeles and Orange County · California
Water damage restoration in Pomona, CA
Four in ten Pomona homes were built before 1960, among the oldest housing in the region. This page covers what usually causes water damage here, what to do in the first hour, and how to reach an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
We are a referral service, not a contractor. Your call is connected to an independent company that covers Pomona. How it works
45,301homes in the ZIP codes we cover
65%built before 1980
12%built in 2000 or later
3Pomona ZIP codes served
What Pomona's homes say about water damage
In Pomona, about two in three homes were built before 1980, and about four in ten before 1960. That age matters. Galvanized steel supply lines from that era corrode from the inside, and cast-iron drains can crack along the bottom where you can't see them.
Before anything else, find the main shutoff and make sure it turns. Old gate valves often seize or break when they are finally needed.
On a slab foundation, spilled water has nowhere to go but out across the floor. It wicks up drywall and runs under flooring, which is why the damage is usually wider than the wet spot you can see.
About 46% of Pomona households rent. If you rent, report the leak to your landlord in writing, take photos, and contact your renters insurance for your own belongings, since the landlord's policy usually covers only the building.
Original galvanized pipe, older drain lines and roofs nearing replacement show up often in water damage calls.
When Pomona homes were built
59% single-family detached21% in 5+ unit buildings46% renter households4% manufactured homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, for ZIP codes 91766, 91767, 91768.
Weather and ground risks around Pomona
Los Angeles and Orange County
See the full list of regional water risks, and every city we cover nearby, on our California page.
If water is coming in right now
- Stop the water. Close the valve at the fixture, or the main shutoff for the house.
- Make it safe. Cut power to wet rooms at the breaker only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Protect what you can. Lift furniture off wet carpet with blocks or foil under the legs, and pull rugs off the floor so they don't stain or trap water.
- Photograph it, then get drying started. Photos come first for insurance; drying should begin the same day. Our first 24 hours guide has the full checklist.
Where the main shutoff usually is
In Southern California the main shutoff is often a valve where the water line enters the house, typically on an exterior wall near the front hose bib, with the city meter in a box near the curb.
If the water came from a toilet, a sewer line or outside, treat it as contaminated: see sewage backup cleanup or flood water cleanup.
Pomona homes by ZIP code
The oldest housing in the area we cover is in 91768, where the median home was built in 1959. The newest is in 91766, with a median of 1974. Older ZIP codes tend to see more corroded pipe and drain failures; newer ones more appliance and fitting leaks.
| ZIP | Homes | Median year built | Built before 1980 | Renters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91768 | 9,062 | 1959 | 74% | 45% |
| 91767 | 15,794 | 1965 | 71% | 47% |
| 91766 | 20,445 | 1974 | 57% | 46% |
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
Who pays in California?
California homeowners policies usually cover sudden and accidental water damage but exclude flooding and long-term seepage.
The California page covers state insurance rules in more detail, and our claims guide explains how to document a loss.
Help available in Pomona
Each guide below explains one kind of water damage and how it is handled.
Emergency water extractionStanding water pumped out and moisture mappedBurst pipe & leak damageSupply lines, water heaters, appliances, slab leaksFlood & storm water cleanupRising water, storm runoff and surgeSewage backup cleanupCategory 3 water from drains and toiletsCeiling & roof leak damageStains, sagging drywall, attic leaks
ZIP codes covered in Pomona
Independent restoration companies we connect callers with cover these Pomona ZIP codes:
917669176791768
Water damage questions from Pomona
How quickly does water damage need to be dried in Pomona?
Start within 24 to 48 hours; the EPA says materials dried in that window are much less likely to grow mold. Hidden moisture inside walls and under floors needs meters and drying equipment to find and remove.
Why do older homes in Pomona have so many hidden leaks?
With about two in three homes in Pomona built before 1980, a lot of original galvanized supply pipe and cast-iron drain line is still in service. Both corrode slowly and tend to leak at joints inside walls and under floors, where water spreads before anyone sees it.
Which Pomona ZIP codes can you connect me in?
Calls from 91766, 91767, 91768 are routed to independent restoration companies that serve those ZIP codes. We are a referral service and don't do the work ourselves.
Leak, flood or backup in Pomona?
Have the source, the affected rooms and when it started ready, and the call will go quickly.
Get connectedCalls go to an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. We don't do the work.