Water damage help · Hawthorne, CA
Water Damage Restoration in Hawthorne, CA
A leak from the unit upstairs, a water heater giving out in the garage, or rain coming through an old roof? Call (424) 300-7170 and a licensed local crew can usually come out the same day. They stop the damage, dry the building with fans and dehumidifiers, and check moisture until it reads dry.
Last checked: November 5, 2026
Quick facts
Why it happens here
Why Do Hawthorne Homes and Apartments Get Water Damage?
In Hawthorne, water damage almost always comes from inside: aging pipes, water heaters and leaks between apartments. The city sits inland, so there’s no surf or tide to worry about. Winter rain is the outside risk.
A fast building boom. Hawthorne grew from 8,263 people in 1940 to 33,035 in 1960, the same years Northrop was building warplanes at its Hawthorne plant (Hawthorne, California, citing Census counts). SCAG’s 2019 Local Profile for Hawthorne says 57.8% of the city’s housing was built before 1970. Pipes, shutoff valves and drain lines from that era are now 55 years old or more.
Mostly apartments. The same SCAG profile counts 52.6% of all Hawthorne homes in buildings with five or more units, and only 29.3% as detached houses. About 73.5% of households rent. That changes how a leak plays out. Water from one unit’s washer or toilet can run through the floor into two or three units below, and the landlord, tenants and insurers all get involved.
Rain still matters. Most of the region’s rain falls in a few winter storms. Downtown Los Angeles averages 14.25 inches a year (National Weather Service). Worn roofs and clogged gutters on older buildings let that water in fast.
Hawthorne is a short drive north of Torrance. Its southern edge meets Lawndale and Redondo Beach. See all the cities we cover on our service areas page.
Local risk factors
What Makes Hawthorne Different
Four local details shape how water damage plays out here.
Multi-unit buildings
With over half the city’s homes in buildings of five or more units, one broken supply line can soak several units. Shared walls and ceilings mean the source is often in a different unit than the damage.
Mid-century plumbing
Homes and apartments from the 1940s through the 1960s often still have original pipes in the walls and under the floor. Slow leaks can run for months before a stain or a musty smell shows up.
Two water systems
The city owned system serves about half of Hawthorne, roughly 6,400 connections, according to a 2023 rate filing. Golden State Water serves other parts of the city (Golden State Water). Who you call for a main break depends on your bill.
Big street mains
Large mains run under busy streets. When one broke on Hawthorne Boulevard between 136th and 137th Streets, water spread across the street and sidewalk and the boulevard was closed (ABC7).
First steps
What to Do in the First Hour
Stop the water first. Then take photos and tell the people who need to know.
Shut off the water
Use the valve under the sink, behind the toilet, or on top of the water heater. In an apartment, the manager may control the main for the building.
Report a street or meter leak to the right supplier
City water customers now get service from the City of Hawthorne, which lists Public Works at (310) 349-2980 (City notice via PublicCEO). Golden State Water customers can call 1-800-999-4033, and the company says it’s there 24 hours a day (Golden State Water).
Tell your landlord or the unit below
Renters should notify the landlord in writing, by text or email, so there’s a record. Knock on the door below if water is coming through the floor.
Take photos and video
Get the source, every wet room and anything ruined, in every affected unit.
Get the drying started
The EPA says wet areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. Call (424) 300-7170 any time. Here’s how the drying process works.
Who to call
Hawthorne Water and Permit Contacts
These contacts come from each agency’s own page or notice.
| Need | Who | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| City water service or billing | City of Hawthorne Public Works | (310) 349-2980 (source) |
| Water leak, Golden State Water areas | Golden State Water, Southwest | 1-800-999-4033 (source) |
| Building inspection scheduling | Building & Safety | (310) 349-2990 (source) |
| General city questions | City Hall, 4455 W. 126th Street | (310) 349-2900 (source) |
| Check a contractor’s license | CSLB | cslb.ca.gov |
We couldn’t find a city page that lists which water damage repairs need a Hawthorne permit, so ask Building & Safety before walls are rebuilt. State law is clear on one point: any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, or any job that needs a permit, must be done by a licensed contractor (CSLB).
Cost
Water Damage Restoration in Hawthorne: What It Costs
Price depends on how much got wet, how long it sat and how dirty the water was. These are national figures, not Hawthorne quotes.
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Water damage repair, most jobs | $1,382 to $6,357 (average $3,841) | HomeAdvisor |
| Clean water (Category 1) | about $3 to $4 per sq ft | HomeAdvisor |
| Gray water (Category 2) | about $4 to $6.50 per sq ft | HomeAdvisor |
| Black water or sewage (Category 3) | about $7 to $7.50 per sq ft | HomeAdvisor |
| Mold remediation | $1,100 to $3,400 | HomeAdvisor |
A leak that crosses into several apartments costs more because there’s more square footage to dry. Our cost and timeline page breaks down what changes the price.
Renters and landlords
When the Leak Is in a Rental
Most Hawthorne households rent, so most leaks here involve a landlord and a tenant.
The building is the owner’s to repair. A tenant’s furniture, clothes and electronics usually aren’t covered by the landlord’s policy, so ask whether you have renters insurance and file with your own insurer if you do.
Mold is where renters have real rights. Visible mold or dampness that threatens health can make a unit substandard under state law, and tenants can ask local code enforcement to inspect (CDPH). The City of Hawthorne takes code enforcement requests through My Hawthorne 311 (City of Hawthorne). If you see growth after a leak, our mold removal page explains the cleanup.
For landlords
FAQ
Hawthorne Water Damage Questions
Still not sure what to do?
Tell us what got wet and when it started. Calls are answered day and night, and it costs nothing to ask.
Water in Your Home Right Now?
Shut off the water, take your photos, and call. A local crew will ask a few questions, give you a time, and start drying once you approve the work.