Plumbing in older Scottsdale homes

Water lines

Homes built through the 1960s often have galvanized steel water lines. Later homes usually have copper. Galvanized pipe rusts inside over time. Copper lasts longer but can develop pinhole leaks, especially under the slab.

• Low pressure at every faucet usually means narrowed galvanized pipe or a worn pressure regulator.
• Brown water when a tap first opens points to rust inside the pipe.
• Leaks at joints on galvanized pipe often mean more are coming.

Drains and sewer line

Most homes from this era were built with cast iron drains inside and cast iron or clay sewer pipe out to the street. Both last a long time, but after 50 to 70 years they crack, rust through, or let roots in.

• Drains that clog again soon after being cleared
• More than one drain backing up at once
• A sewer smell inside or in the yard
• Wet or sunken spots between the house and the street

Under the slab

Water lines that run under the concrete floor can leak without you seeing it. Warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water, or a water meter that moves with everything off are the signs. See slab leak repair.

Repair a section or replace it all?

If one area has a problem and the rest of the pipe looks good, a repair makes sense. If you're seeing leaks in more than one spot, or the pipe is galvanized throughout, replacing it once usually costs less than repairing it again and again. The plumber looks at your home and gives you an honest answer.

Want a second set of eyes?

Call (480) 448-6318 or send the form. A plumber can look at your water lines, drains and water heater and tell you what shape they're in.

Questions