Repiping in Tempe, AZ

Why are Tempe homes needing new pipe?

Mostly age. Tempe is a landlocked inner-ring suburb that filled in early, with dense development in the north around Downtown Tempe and Arizona State University and lower-density neighborhoods in the south. Census data puts the median home at about 1983. Houses from the 1960s and 1970s can still carry galvanized steel, and copper from the late 1970s and 1980s has had decades of hard water and summer heat working on it.

Repeat pinholes, slab leaks that return after a repair and brown water at the first draw are the common signs. When they show up together, replacing the whole system usually costs less over time than paying for leak after leak.

How hard is Tempe water, and does it matter?

It varies more than in most cities. Tempe's water quality report lists an average of 10.9 grains per gallon, with a range from 9.5 to 29 across the system. Hardness does not eat through pipe, but it builds scale in valves, mixing cartridges, fittings and the water heater. If your area is at the high end, plan the new system with a softener loop or at least good shutoffs where one could be added later.

The city also says lead in drinking water comes mainly from private service lines and home plumbing, and it is identifying the materials of privately owned service lines. If your house is old enough that the buried line from the meter may be original, ask whether it should be replaced along with the interior pipe.

Is a permit needed?

Yes, for a repipe. Tempe's homeowner permit guide says separate plumbing permits are required when applicable, and leak repairs are exempt only when they do not involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. A repipe replaces pipe, so it goes through the Development Services permit counter. The plumber normally handles the application and inspection.

A local note

Many older Tempe houses are compact single-story homes on slabs, which makes attic routing straightforward when there is enough clearance. Rentals near ASU are a common case too: owners often schedule a repipe between tenants, when the water can be off for a few days without anyone living there.