Whether you own a Craftsman bungalow in Pasadena or a condo in Santa Monica, certain repairs show up again and again across Los Angeles homes. After 12 years of service calls, our team has a very clear picture of what breaks most often — and what homeowners wish they'd known in advance.
1. Leaky faucets. A dripping faucet wastes more water than most people realize — a faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year. In LA, where water is expensive and conservation matters, this adds up fast. The fix is usually a worn washer or O-ring. Takes a plumber under an hour.
2. Running toilets. The flapper inside the tank fails silently, and most homeowners don't notice for months. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. Lift the tank lid — if the water is still running 30 seconds after flushing, call us. Parts are cheap; the service call pays for itself in water savings within a month.
3. Stuck or dragging doors. LA's temperature swings cause wood doors to expand and contract seasonally. A door that sticks in summer may close fine in January. If yours drags year-round, the hinges may need adjustment or the door may need planing. Don't ignore it — dragging doors stress frames and can make them harder to close during an emergency.
4. GFCI outlet failure. Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets (the ones with the TEST/RESET buttons) trip when they detect a fault. Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets should all be GFCI-protected. If any outlet near water isn't working, test the GFCI first — there's often a master outlet in the bathroom that controls others. If resetting doesn't work, replace the outlet.
5. Drywall holes and cracks. Between doorknob damage, furniture moves, and the occasional earthquake, LA walls take a beating. Small holes can be patched with a drywall compound kit. Larger holes (over 6 inches) and cracks near door frames need a pro to ensure structural integrity before you paint over them.
Most of these repairs are straightforward when caught early. The common thread: homeowners who notice small issues and address them quickly pay far less than those who wait until a drip becomes a flood or a crack becomes a structural issue.