Tempe Junction, AZ · City of Tempe rules

Plumber | in Tempe Junction, AZOlder homes, sewer lines and drains in ZIPs 85281 and 85282

Tempe Junction covers ZIPs 85281 and 85282, which take in the university campus and Papago Park, and homes across that stretch range widely in age. A drain that keeps backing up after being cleared is the classic call. The dispatcher asks how often it has happened, because a line that needs clearing every few months may be failing underground rather than just clogged.

Call (480) 806-2944 ›

Finger pointing into the open threaded port of a gray metal cleanout elbow — With the plug out, a cleanout port gives a cable or camera a way into the drain line.

Section of dark cast iron drain pipe filled with a buildup of debris — Older sewer lines can fill with buildup that a camera shows clearly.

Why older Tempe sewer lines get special attention

Orangeburg pipe is a fiber product that softens and deforms with age. The City says repeated backups of the line from the house to the public sewer are the typical symptom, and that clearing with a router tool gives only a temporary improvement. It also says its records do not show which houses have the pipe, so the way to know is to have a licensed plumber investigate.

For general terms on lining, spot repair and full replacement, the sewer line repair page is the reference. The question to ask first is what the pipe is made of, and where it fails.

From repeated clog to repaired line: what to expect

1Describe the pattern
Say when each backup happened and which fixtures were affected. The dispatcher passes that to the plumber.
2Scope the line
A camera pass shows the material, the sags and any collapsed section. Ask for the recording.
3Compare options
Spot repair, a replaced section or a full replacement each fit different damage. A quote should name the footage involved.
4Confirm the permit
A sewer line replacement in Tempe needs a plumbing permit, and an inspection happens before the new line is covered.
5Inspection and close
The trench stays open until the inspector approves the work. Keep the permit number for your records.

The City adds that the permit may be obtained by the person doing the work or by the homeowner. As the City puts it, the cost of replacing a line depends on length, depth, paving, access and landscaping, and it suggests getting bids from three licensed contractors.

Hand pointing to a labeled copper valve and pipes on a concrete wall — Labeled valves make it faster to shut off water when a leak is found.

Leaks and wet spots near the university

Near a large university, the person who notices a leak is often a tenant rather than the person who owns the pipes. A tenant can close the shutoff valve under the fixture and report to the owner or manager, then use the leak detection page to read the meter. The City's homeowner guide treats leak repairs in water or gas piping as exempt from a permit, unless a pipe, valve or fixture has to be replaced or rearranged.

Under a sink: close the angle stop and watch the drip.
Near the heater: check the relief line and the pan.
In a wall: switch off the supply and call before opening the drywall.
In the yard: read the meter with every tap closed.

Tank water heater with copper pipes and a flue above it, with a yellow label on the front — Replacing a heater in an older home often means updating the pipe connections above it.

Water heaters in Tempe Junction homes

Older homes often have a heater in a utility closet or on a patio wall. A repair suits a failed element or igniter, while a unit leaking from the tank body is a replacement. Because Tempe Junction is inside the City of Tempe, the City's rule that water heaters fall within its plumbing permit scope applies here, as on the main Tempe page.

Tempe Junction places and landmarks

The Tempe Junction places below come from City facility directories, a state tourism listing and the university.

Tempe Public Library landmark, City of Tempe facility, ZIP 85282
Pyle Adult Recreation Center landmark, City of Tempe facility, ZIP 85282
Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park landmark, Arizona Historical Society site, ZIP 85281
Arizona State University Tempe campus landmark, university campus, ZIP 85281
Tempe Diablo Stadium landmark, spring training ballpark, ZIP 85282

Areas near Tempe Junction

Other places close to Tempe Junction are listed next, with hub distances. Tempe Junction is about 9.6 miles from the Ahwatukee hub.

Around Tempe Junction: within about 15 minutes

Beyond that, from Tempe Junction

Paradise Valleyabout a 26-minute driveCall to confirm immediate dispatch availability in Paradise Valley

ZIP codes served by this dispatch network in Tempe Junction

85281
85282

Not sure your address is covered? Call (480) 806-2944 with your ZIP code and the dispatcher will confirm your address.

Call to confirm immediate dispatch availability in Tempe Junction. (480) 806-2944.

Questions from Tempe Junction callers

Which city office handles plumbing permits in Tempe Junction?

Tempe Junction addresses in ZIPs 85281 and 85282 are inside the City of Tempe, so the City's building safety permit counter handles plumbing permits. Check the address with the plumber if you live near a boundary, because a city line can follow a street rather than a ZIP.

Does fixing a leak in Tempe need a permit?

Per the City's homeowner guide, repairing a leak in water or gas piping is exempt, unless the repair needs a pipe, valve or fixture to be replaced or rearranged. Replacing defective drain or waste piping brings the permit back, so ask what the plumber plans to remove.

How do I know if my sewer line is Orangeburg pipe?

The City says its records do not show which houses have it. Homes developed between 1940 and 1970 deserve a closer look, and a licensed plumber's camera pass is the way to confirm the material. Repeated backups after cleaning are the usual warning sign.

Also handled in Tempe Junction

The dispatch line also takes calls for drain cleaning, repiping, gas lines, faucets and toilets, water damage and commercial plumbing. For a burst pipe or sewage backing into the house, the 24/7 emergency line is the number to use.

Plumbing trouble in Tempe Junction? Call the dispatch line.

Say how often the drain has backed up and give the address. The dispatcher confirms availability for your address, and license details are available on request before work begins.

Call (480) 806-2944

Hand twisting a threaded plug from a gray metal cleanout fitting — A cleanout plug has to come out before a cable or camera can go into the line.