Leak Detection in Tempe, AZ

Why do older Tempe homes leak where you cannot see it?

Tempe's median home was built around 1983, and many neighborhoods are older than that. Original supply pipe running through or under a slab can thin out over decades, and shutoff valves, angle stops and water heater fittings of that age are common failure points. Because the pipe is buried in concrete or sealed in a wall, the first sign is often a higher bill or a warm, damp spot rather than visible water.

Does Tempe water make leaks more likely?

It adds wear. The city's water quality report lists hardness averaging 10.9 grains per gallon but ranging as high as 29 in parts of the system. That scale builds up in valves, faucet cartridges and toilet fill valves, which then fail to seal and drip constantly. Tempe disinfects with chlorine rather than chloramine.

The city also notes that lead in drinking water comes mainly from private service lines and home plumbing, and it is building an inventory that includes privately owned service lines. If your home is older, it's reasonable to ask the plumber what your service line is made of while the leak search is underway.

Who handles which part of the problem?

The City of Tempe Water Utilities Division supplies water and wastewater service. If water is surfacing at the meter or in the street, use the water emergency line at 480-350-2837 so the city can check its side; customer service is 480-350-8361. Leaks inside the house and in your yard plumbing are a plumber's job.

Repairs can involve a permit. Tempe's homeowner permit guide says a leak repair is exempt only when it does not involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. Rerouting a slab line or replacing a section of pipe generally goes beyond that. In an older home, a plumber may also suggest weighing a single repair against rerouting the line through the attic or walls, especially when the slab has already leaked in more than one spot.

A Tempe note

Tempe mixes dense housing in the north with lower-density neighborhoods to the south. If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager about a suspected leak right away, since the lines under the slab usually belong to the owner.