Leak Detection in Glendale, AZ

Is my Glendale house old enough to worry about hidden leaks?

Many are. Glendale has a median build year of about 1985, so a large share of homes are now 40 years old or close to it. At that age, original shutoff valves, supply connectors and water heater fittings are common leak points, and older copper or other supply pipe under a slab can develop pinholes. Houses built more recently tend to leak at fittings, hoses and irrigation parts instead. Either way, slab construction means a leak can stay out of sight while the meter keeps turning.

Who supplies my water, and who do I call if the leak is outside?

For most of the city, Glendale Water Services runs both water and wastewater, and its main line is 623-930-4100. One exception matters: the Hedgepeth Hills area, from Loop 101 to Mohawk Drive between 47th and 51st Avenues, is served as City of Phoenix water customers. If water is surfacing near the meter or in the street, call your provider first so they can check their side. Leaks inside the house and in the yard plumbing are what a plumber handles.

Glendale keeps a service line material inventory on its Lead and Copper page, which is worth a look if you are weighing a repair against replacing an old line.

Could the yard be the source instead of the house?

It is a common answer. Drip emitters, sprinkler valves and the line to a pool or fountain all lose water quietly. Turn the irrigation controller off and watch the meter, then run a single zone and watch again. Some downtown lots also receive non-potable urban irrigation water from Salt River Project, which is not part of the drinking water system; a soggy yard after an irrigation turn is not the same as a pipe leak, so mention it to the plumber if your lot gets it.

A note on repairs

Glendale's permit guidance says replacing drain and waste piping needs a permit, and so does work on gas piping. Fixing a supply leak can be simple or can turn into a reroute, so ask the plumber whether the repair calls for a permit before work starts. If the house has needed several slab repairs over the years, the plumber may also talk through rerouting the supply lines overhead.