Where Monta Loma is and how it was built
Monta Loma is bounded by San Antonio Road, Middlefield Road, Rengstorff Avenue and Central Expressway. Its homes were built in the post-war housing boom, and Wikipedia's neighborhood entry credits three builders: Joseph Eichler, John Calder Mackay and the Mardell Building Company.
Each builder named its own sections. Eichler's tracts are called Oakwood and Fairview, and Mardell's is Mardell Manor. The neighborhood is also noted for one of the best-preserved tracts of Mackay homes, and the Monta Loma Neighborhood Association has been active since 1977.
Within the neighborhood, then, there are three different builders and three different sets of construction habits. That is the main reason one Monta Loma address can behave differently from the house a few blocks away.
Water on the floor in Monta Loma? Call to ask about help.
Call (650) 860-1670What the mid-century construction usually means for plumbing
This part is general plumbing information, not a survey of individual Monta Loma homes. Many mid-century California houses were built on concrete slabs, which puts some water supply lines inside or under the floor. Eichler homes are also known for radiant floor heating in some tracts, and that heating pipe can fail on its own schedule.
A warm patch on the floor, the sound of water when every tap is off, or a water bill that climbs with no change in habits all point toward a hidden leak. Start with leak detection, and if the evidence points under the floor, read about slab leak repair.
Older drain lines run under the slab as well, so a repeat clog on a ground-floor drain deserves a camera look before more cabling. See sewer camera inspection and drain cleaning.
| Item | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Boundaries | Verified | San Antonio Road, Middlefield Road, Rengstorff Avenue, Central Expressway |
| Builders | Verified | Eichler, Mackay and Mardell, per Wikipedia |
| Pipe material in a given house | Unknown | Depends on the tract, the year and later repairs |
| Which houses have radiant heat | Unknown | Check your own records or ask a plumber to look |
Water heaters and fixtures in older Monta Loma homes
Water heaters in homes of this era often sit in a garage or utility closet. Moving one is a venting and plumbing project, not a swap, so ask about it before you choose a new unit. The City of Mountain View requires a permit for water heater replacement, which a legitimate job should include.
Weigh water heater replacement against a simple repair before deciding. If the tank itself is leaking, repair is usually not an option.
A note on Monta Loma
Monta Loma was also the site of an Ohlone village and the Castro Indian Mound, which was leveled in 1947. In 1989 Stanford University returned remains and artifacts to Ohlone descendants. This is background only and has no effect on a plumbing repair today.
Information on this page comes from public sources and was last reviewed in October 2026. Housing details can change as homes are remodeled.
For the rest of the city, see the Mountain View plumbing home page and the service area page.
Hidden leak or stubborn drain in Monta Loma? Call (650) 860-1670.
Call (650) 860-1670Monta Loma plumbing questions
Where is Monta Loma in Mountain View?
Between San Antonio Road, Middlefield Road, Rengstorff Avenue and Central Expressway. Other parts of the city have their own pages, and the service area page lists them.
Are Monta Loma homes Eichlers?
Some are. Wikipedia credits Eichler, Mackay and Mardell as builders, so a given house may be one of several designs.
What plumbing problem should I check first in a slab home?
Watch the water meter with every tap closed. If it keeps moving, there is a leak on the house side. See leak detection.
Do you have a Monta Loma office?
No. This site is a phone enquiry line and lists no office in the neighborhood. Call (650) 860-1670 to ask about help at your address.
Does the City require a permit for a water heater swap?
The City of Mountain View requires a permit for water heater replacement. Ask whoever does the work to confirm it is covered.