Sewer Line Repair in Tempe, AZ

Why do older Tempe homes have so many sewer problems?

Tempe is a landlocked, older inner-ring suburb, and census figures put the median home at about 1983. Houses from the 1980s and before often have cast iron drain lines that rust and build up scale inside, or clay pipe with joints that roots can push through. Decades of shifting soil and irrigation can also leave a section sagging, so waste settles in the low spot and builds into a clog. In a slab-on-grade home, the first part of that line runs under the floor, which is why a plumber will look for a way to reach the problem from a cleanout or from the yard.

Do I need a Tempe permit for a sewer repair?

It depends on the work. Tempe's homeowner guide to permits says separate plumbing permits are required when applicable, and that repairs are exempt only when they don't involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. Clearing a blockage doesn't replace pipe; cutting in a new section or replacing the line does. Permits go through the City of Tempe Community Development Department's permit counter at City Hall, and the plumber you're connected with typically pulls it.

How do I know it's the main line and not one drain?

Pay attention to the pattern:

• Water coming up in the tub or shower when a toilet is flushed or the washer drains
• Gurgling from more than one fixture
• Several drains slowing down together
• Clogs that return within weeks of being cleared

One slow sink with everything else working normally is usually a local clog. Symptoms spread across the house point to the building sewer. A camera inspection confirms the cause, the location and the depth before any repair is planned. Ask to see the footage; it makes the conversation about options much easier to follow.

A Tempe note

Tempe Water Utilities provides water, wastewater and stormwater service across the city. If you're dealing with a water emergency rather than a sewer clog, its customer support line is 480-350-2837. For a backup that's only in your home, a plumber is the right first call. Until help arrives, stop using water, keep people away from the affected drain and clear a path to the outdoor cleanout so the plumber can get equipment in quickly.