Plumbing Inspection in Sun City, AZ

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent local plumber who works in Sun City. Share the address, whether the home is a seasonal residence, any closing date, and whether you'd like the sewer line filmed. If you're out of state for the summer, ask about arranging access with a neighbor or agent.

What sets the cost

• Size of the home and number of bathrooms
• Whether a camera inspection of the sewer line is included
• Access to the water heater, cleanout and shutoff
• A written summary for a buyer, seller or family member

Sun City conditions

Sun City is an unincorporated Del Webb retirement community that opened on January 1, 1960, and it's popular with snowbirds. Older houses can have original drain lines, aging shutoff valves and water heaters replaced more than once, so a plumber pays particular attention to the drain system and the line to the sewer main.

EPCOR supplies water from one groundwater system serving Sun City and Youngtown, with hardness of 7 to 11 grains per gallon and chlorine disinfection. EPCOR also provides wastewater service and runs an inspection program for the sewer mains and manholes in the Sun Cities. The utility keeps a service line inventory online and says it removes any lead pipes it identifies.

EPCOR's cross-connection program puts backflow testing on the customer: required assemblies are tested yearly by a certified tester, with reports filed within 30 days.

Because Sun City is unincorporated, follow-up permits go to Maricopa County Planning and Development. The county no longer requires a permit to replace an existing water heater to the manufacturer's specifications.

Water heaters here usually sit in a garage or utility room. A plumber will check the relief valve and its discharge line, the gas or electrical connection and whether the tank has a drain pan. Shutoff valves under sinks and toilets get tested too, since valves that sit unused for years can seize or leak when finally turned.

Checklist before the visit

• Run water at every fixture if the house has sat empty
• Find the water heater's age on its label
• Clear access to the cleanout and main shutoff
• List any slow drains or past backups