Scottsdale's own hardness figures run from about 16 grains per gallon in the north to as much as 25 south of Indian School Road, so scale is behind many faucet drips and stiff handles here. Most can be fixed with new cartridges or seals. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale water in brief
Scottsdale Water, the city-run utility, mixes Colorado River water from the Central Arizona Project, Salt and Verde River water through SRP, groundwater from city wells and recycled water. Its hardness fact sheet breaks the city into bands: about 22 to 25 grains per gallon south of Indian School Road, 20 to 22 between Indian School and Chaparral Road, and 16 to 18 north of Chaparral. The city disinfects with chlorine, not chloramine. Median home age is around 1990, so many houses are on their second or third set of faucets.
What to do right now
- Stop the water at the fixture. Turn the two angle stops under the sink clockwise. If they will not move or keep leaking, use the home's main shutoff.
- Find where the water is coming from. Dry the faucet, deck and cabinet, then watch the spout, handle base, supply lines and drain in turn.
- Check the aerator. Unscrew it and look for grit or white scale. Soaking it in vinegar can restore flow if that was the only problem.
- Protect the cabinet. Put a pan or towel under the leak and move cleaning supplies out of the way.
- Know the city line. If water is coming up at the meter or the street, Scottsdale Water lists 480-312-5650 for emergencies.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Steady drip from the spout | Worn cartridge, washer or seat |
| Handle grinds or is hard to turn | Scale built up inside the cartridge |
| Water pooling at the faucet base | Failed spout or base O-rings |
| Weak or sideways stream at one tap | Clogged aerator or debris in the cartridge |
| Hot side drips more than cold | Hot-side seal wearing faster |
| Wet cabinet floor | Loose supply nut, failing hose or drain joint |
What changes the cost
- Whether the faucet can be rebuilt or needs replacing
- How much scale has fused the cartridge, nuts and stops, which is more likely in the harder southern bands
- Premium and designer faucets with special-order parts
- Replacing seized angle stops and supply lines at the same time
- Permit needs: the city's home improvement page says a plumbing permit is required to install, alter or repair a plumbing system, so ask the plumber whether your job falls under that
Faucet Repair questions in Scottsdale
How hard is the water here, and what does it do to faucets?
What kind of filter faucet works with the disinfectant in my water?
Will a water softener make faucet parts last longer?
What should I do if a faucet won't turn off?
More plumbing services in Scottsdale
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