Feb 07

It’s the Law: Before you dig, call Arizona Blue Stake!

By City Wide Plumbing backflow cages, backflow device, backflow prevention theft, drain stoppages, freeze protection, Gilbert Arizona, local news, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbing, plumbing tips, plumbing trouble, Slab Leaks No Comments

Arizona Blue Stake was established by utility owners as a one-call notification system to assist local homeowners and excavators in identifying the location of underground utilities to prevent damages to facilities.

Notify the Arizona Blue Stake Center at least two (2) working days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) before excavating to have all underground pipelines and facilities located and marked.

Calling 811 will help save lives and protect infrastructure. Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before each digging project begins helps protect you from personal injury, expense and penalties. There may be multiple utility lines in the same area at varying depths. Even simple digging projects can damage utility lines and disrupt vital services to an entire community. Having underground utilities located can help prevent undesired consequences

Wait for the project site to be marked by all utility owners. Once all utilities have been properly located, you are officially ready to dig.

Respect and protect the marks. Have utility lines re-marked if initial markings are more than fifteen (15) days old.

Use caution when digging. Always hand dig within two feet of either side of any marked line. Some utility lines may be buried at a shallow depth, and an unintended shovel

Be Aware utility companies may not mark where the line continues into your property (anything on your property is considered privately owned and maintained.

If damage occurs, notify the appropriate facility owner IMMEDIATLY.

Each marking represents the location of the underground facilities and the color represents the type of utility (gas, water, electric, communication, etc…). These marks are temporary and fade with time.

White– proposed excavation

Pink– Temporary Survey

Red– Electric, traffic signals and street lights

Yellow– natural gas, petroleum, nitrogen, butane, and propane.

Orange– Communication, cable television, fiber optics

Blue water systems, slurry pipes, irrigation and wells

Purple– reclaimed water

Green– Sanitary Sewer Systems

There is a penalty for failure to comply. Owners of underground facilities must locate and mark all their facilities at that location within 48 hours. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $ 5000. You or a contractor cannon begin excavating until all utilities have been marked or be subject to a maximum fine of $ 5000.

Information courtesy of:

Arizona Blue Stake

Arizona Corporation Commission

City of Mesa

City of Scottsdale

Jun 01

Water Saving Tips

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, plumbing, plumbing tips, water heaters No Comments

Remember water is a valuable resource that shouldn’t be wasted.

Your water is clean, safe and convenient but you have to pay for its treatment and the system to deliver it to you. By conserving water in your home, you also save energy needed to heat it or run appliances.

Two thirds of the water used in an average home is used in the bathroom, and a lot of it goes into the sewer. From 2-7 gallons of water are used every time a toilet is flushed. Do not use the toilet to flush items that can go in a wastebasket or garbage can.

Be aware of toilet leaks. Be sure to check toilets at the property! Toilet leaks are the most common and are hard to see or hear. Put food coloring or laundry bluing in the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. Do not flush the toilet during this time. If the coloring appears in the toilet bowl, there is a toilet leak. Also, if you hear the toilet refilling and no one has used it, there is a leak. A major toilet leak can waste 800 cubic feet of water a day — which would cost over $24.00 for water and over $23.00 for sewer each day. That adds up to over $1,400.00 a month!

You may have been advised to take showers rather than baths to conserve water. If you take a long shower, however, you may use more water than if you took a bath. Long, hot showers not only waste water but also energy to heat the water. Consider using reduced-flow devices for shower heads.

Don’t leave the water running while you shave or brush your teeth. You are just running clean water down the drain.

Turn down the temperature on your water heater. If you set the temperature at 120° F or below, you will save about 4% of your energy cost per 10° that you lower your thermostat.

Flush Your Water Heater.
Flushing your water heater regularly ( every six months)will help you save money and extend your hot water heaters life.

Jul 21

Does your home in Gilbert, AZ have low water pressure?

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, water pressure No Comments

Water’s never too far from anybody’s mind when you live near the iconic Gilbert Water Tower. And we’ve made it our business to keep our commercial and residential customers’ water flowing and plumbing systems repaired in the Gilbert area.

Some of the ways we keep the water flowing is knowing what to look for when the only symptom is poor water pressure. It can depend on a lot of factors:

Water pipes. How old are yours? What are they made of? Depending on what your pipes are made of can determine how long ago your plumbing was updated. Galvanized pipe can oxidize and rust, creating pipe leaks and/or water flow blockages. Naturally, both problems can affect your water pressure. PVC pipes don’t rust or oxidize, but they can be sensitive to temperature changes, warping and putting stress on pipe junctures and fixture mounts. The older this plastic material gets, the more brittle it becomes. Brittle pipes can burst at any time.

Do you have a water softener? If the softener is too small and can’t keep up now that you have a new family member, then it might be time to upgrade your softener.

Do you have a water filtration system? If the filter needs changing or the pump isn’t operating at its optimal speeds, it may be time for some repairs.

Does the water pressure change frequently for no reason? You may need to have a new water pressure regulator installed.

City Wide Plumbing has experienced technicians who can offer solutions to your water flow problems. Give us a call to set up your free evaluation today.

Jul 30

How To Choose an Honest Affordable Plumber

By City Wide Plumbing broken pipes, find a plumber, Gilbert Arizona, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, plumber, plumbing, Slab Leaks No Comments

How To Choose an Honest and Affordable Plumber

The last thing we want is to be taken advantage of by our service providers. Most homeowners have no expertise when it comes to faulty or leaky water heaters, broken pipes, clogged drains, under slab leaks, sewage backing up in your house or any other horror story imaginable.

Choosing a great plumbing company before you have a plumbing emergency is the best strategy. Then you won’t be as stressed when a plumbing problem strikes.

Let’s face it. You are asking someone to come into your home or office to face a potentially messy situation that can possibly be quite expensive. You want the best plumber you can hire, who can get the job done quickly and afford-ably.

Here are some tips to choose the right plumbing company.

How long have they been in business? If they have been around for a long time, you know they are solid citizens who are trusted by homeowners.
Is the plumbing company licensed and insured? A shady operator won’t be able to get or keep a contractor’s license or liability insurance.
Do they offer free estimates? You don’t want any surprises and either does a reputable plumbing company. A good company will tell you what to expect before they start the repairs.
Are the plumber’s service vehicles clean? You can tell a lot about pride of workmanship by the condition of the company’s vehicles and equipment.
Is the phone answered professionally or is it a “home business” where even a child may answer the phone? You can tell if you’re working with professional technicians or just a handyman by how the phone is answered.
Does the plumbing company promise fast response? If your taking cold showers, have a broken pipe, or a backed up sewer line, you want a plumber who promises to get on the job in usually less than an hour.
Does the plumbing company offer a warranty on the parts, equipment, and on their labor if something doesn’t function later? You want to hire a company that stands behind their work.

These 7 tips were provided by: https://citywideplumbingaz.com/

Jul 16

Protect Your Backflow!

By City Wide Plumbing backflow cages, backflow device, backflow prevention theft, Gilbert Arizona, local news, Mesa Arizona, plumber No Comments

Recently there have been a rash of commercial irrigation and domestic water back-flow preventers stolen and sold for their scrap metal. While the scrap metal value for the brass and copper contained within these fittings is only about $50.00, day and night thieves are stealing as many as they can, sometimes twice from the same properties. Back-flow preventers are easily recognized, usually placed above ground along the street frontage for most commercial properties. The backflow preventer acts to prevent irrigation or other water from going back into the potable water source from the city in case of contamination. Most jurisdictions in Maricopa County have mandated the use of these valves in commercial buildings.

Thieves have posed as city employees wearing orange vests and have cut off the valve to the preventers using a battery powered sawzall. The whole process can take less than five to six minutes. These thefts have occurred in broad daylight and at prominent and visible locations. If yours is stolen, replacing it is very expensive and can cost as much as $2,000 to $4,000. Their removal will also interrupt water service for your property as well as create possible water damage caused by the water running uncontrolled through the open connection.

How to Protect Yourself

There is no perfect solution, but the following actions are being recommended by the ABPA, law enforcement, backflow installers, landscapers, and plumbing companies.

Enclose your backflow valve(s) with a protective cage (if you haven’t already).
Secure it with a tamper-proof lock (a “break-away” lock is easily opened and not recommended). In case of emergency, your maintenance crew should have a copy of the lock’s key.
The cage should be securely mounted to the cement pad on the ground and painted a desert color to match landscape.
Make sure the cage has lock guards to prevent their removal.
Stamp, label, or identify the metal with a recognizable code or name of your own.
Paint the unit with a desert color.
Post a visible warning that there is video surveillance on the units. Also on the signs something to the effect of “theft and damage to this unit will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.
Camouflage the unit by planting screening landscape a foot or so from the back-flow. This will make the unit less visible while still allowing for necessary maintenance access.
Record model number and serial numbers of all backflow devices.
Install a small wall to hide backflow devices.

The prices of the cages and installation vary according to design and size. We offer free estimates on all backflow products. For more information please call 480-966-8795.

Our plumbing experts are certified by the State of Arizona backflow device testers. ABPA membership number R1461.

May 28

Main Water Shut Off Valve

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, home repairs, plumbing tips, water heaters No Comments

Every homeowner should locate their main water shut-off valve and know how to use it.

There are two types of main water valves: the gate valve and the ball valve.

The gate valve is recognized by its round handle that must be turned a number of times to open or close the valve.

The ball valve is recognized by its single handle that needs to be turned ¼ turn or 90 degrees, to turn the water on or off.

City Wide Plumbing can tell you about the condition of the main water valve in your home and replace it if necessary.

: Water Heater Shut-off Valve

: Toilet Shut-off Valve

: Sink Shut-off Valve

Apr 05

Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, hot water, local news, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbing, plumbing tips, Slab Leaks, water heaters No Comments

Here at City Wide Plumbing we do our best to do our part in reducing, reusing, and recycling. We only install energy star rated water heaters, recirculation pumps and use low flow toilets, faucets and fixtures. We also recycle any old and broken material. Not only do our efforts help keep trash out of the land field, it also helps out customers save money.

The following are some additional tips from the EPA’s WaterSense Program.

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.

“Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes,” said EPA Acting Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner. “We’re not just wasting water; families also lose money from leaks with higher utility bills. That’s why Fix a Leak Week is so important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up to make a significant positive impact.”

In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can:

Check winter water bills and fixtures for water waste;
Twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and
Consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips:

Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products: http://www.epa.gov/watersense.

Dec 18

Emergency Water Shut Off

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, holiday plumbing emergency, holidays, local news, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbing, plumbing tips, plumbing trouble, Slab Leaks, water heaters No Comments

It is important to know where your water shut off valves are located. You also need to make sure that the valves are in proper working order. Internal shut off valves are usually located behind toilets, refrigerators, wash machines, under kitchen and lavatory sinks, and above water heaters. If any of those items malfunction you can quickly shut off the water to isolate the problem and have a lower risk of water damage. There is also a main water shut off valve located outside on the main service riser. If the valves inside are not working or you can not locate the valve you can shut off the water to the entire house. Some town homes, condos, or apartments may not have service riser shut off valve if this is the case or if the valve is not working you can call your local water company emergency line and have them shut off the water at the meter.

Call your local plumber for a location and inspection of your shut off valves. Also test them regularly, after time the valves can corrode and freeze.

Dec 07

What is a slab leak?

Leaking pipes inside or underneath the concrete of a house’s floor or foundations are called slab leaks.

What are signs of a slab leak?

Hear running water, when no water should be running.
Warm or hot spots on the floor
Cracks in walls or floor
Mildew, excessive moisture under carpet, or musty odor
High water bills

What to do if you think you have a slab leak?

Call a plumber who specializes in leak detection or a locating professional to pinpoint the location of the leak using thermal imaging, pipe locating, and sound equipment.

If a leak is detected, how does a plumbing professional repair it?

One option is to jackhammer the floor and repair the leak in the ground. A plumbing professional will take up some tile or carpet and jackhammer the concrete to reach the leaking pipe. They will then cut out the bad section of pipe and solder a new one in place, and most companies will rough patch the concrete. It us up to the homeowner to replace any tile or carpet but some home owners insurance will cover this type of repair.

A second option is the reroute the line. This is where a plumber will run a new line from through the walls and attic to eliminate the leaking pipe in the ground. Most plumbers will only reroute one line unless you would like to re pipe the entire home. This option does cause some damage to the drywall and most insurance companies will not cover this type of repair.

Jun 19

Huge Plumbing Warehouse Fire Gilbert

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, local news, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbing No Comments

by Stacey Delikat

Email | Follow: @SDelikat3TV

GILBERT, Ariz. — The massive fire that blanketed the East Valley with thick, black smoke on Monday afternoon leveled a long-standing plumbing company and destroyed millions of dollars worth of supplies.

Jack Stapley, a co-owner of Farnsworth Plumbing Supply Company, estimated $8 million worth of supplies burned.

He said a warehouse was destroyed and an office building facility was also badly damaged.

The business has been in Gilbert near McQueen and Baseline roads for 18 years.

The fire started shortly after 3 p.m. Monday and burned intensely for nearly three hours. As of 10 p.m., crews were still working to put out hot spots and cool down the grounds.

Firefighters were still on the scene Tuesday morning to keep an eye some little fires that were still burning and make sure they didn’t blow up into another conflagration.

With Monday’s massive flames came a series of explosions as propane tanks on the property blew up.

Employees of nearby businesses reported hearing the explosions and feeling vibrations.

“It was not unlike a very sudden earthquake, you could feel it through your feet and through the windows, it was like a bomb went off,” said Carson Meyers, who works at a neighboring company that was evacuated as a precaution.

Other witnesses reported seeing debris fly through the air.

“Big, industrial shipping pallets flying 100 feet in the air,” Peter Wendt said.

Stapley said the other branches of the Farnsworth company, which include a waterworks and air conditioning business, were not impacted and will be open for business Tuesday.

Close to 200 firefighters were brought in from Mesa, Chandler and Tempe to help Gilbert crews battle the flames amidst intense temperatures that reached 113 degrees.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Originally from http://www.azfamily.com/Global/story.asp?S=28350056