local news Archives - City Wide Plumbing

May 09

Note About The Water Break In Tempe AZ!

By City Wide Plumbing local news, Plumbing Company, water break No Comments

You’re very likely aware of the 24” water main break that flooded the US60 this weekend.

The latest report is that the City of Tempe along with ADOT are working to get the line repaired, but have no immediate timeline for the restoration of travel on the 60 while they work on the repairs. Note: The City of Tempe has released a statement saying that this is not disrupting water supply service to the area for commercial or residential customers. My intention in this email is to make sure you’re aware just in case it does become an issue, not to alarm our customers in any way.

Tempe’s Most Recent Update – https://mailchi.mp/tempe/tempethisweek42522-357514

I wanted to reach out just as a recommendation to check a few things at your home in Tempe. There is a small chance that some of the dirt, rocks, road debris have been introduced to that water line while the break occurred and whilst they repair it. We’re not 100% sure if that water line is a main supply for your neighborhood, but I would recommend taking some precautions anyways. If you experience any drop in water pressure, or notice any discoloration “dirty water”, I would recommend the following:

Full-Open front hose bib, closest to where the water line enters your home from the city meter, let that blow out water for a few minutes.
Removing the aerators from your kitchen and bathroom sink faucets, shower heads if you are able. These can sometimes catch particles and get clogged up, reducing water flow to those fixtures.
Running your bath tub faucet for 5-10 minutes in Hot & Cold. Most of the time, tub spouts do not come equipped with aerators and have the largest inside diameter pipe for flow.
Flush your water heater – These are often full ¾” supply lines and debris can get into that tank relatively easily.
Always feel free to call our office if you have questions or aren’t able to do any of the above yourself.

We’re hoping that the water main break didn’t affect you directly, and that this is all for naught, but want to make sure that if we can take some inexpensive preventative maintenance to avoid a larger scale repair – that we certainly do so. All of these are items you can do yourself, depending on your comfort level.

Wishing you well and please reach out if you have any questions or need something from us!

Thanks, and have a great rest of the weekend!

Bill Harden

City Wide Plumbing & Service

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 10

Largest Display of Fireworks in Tempe Arizona

By City Wide Plumbing Independence Day Celebrations, local news, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

Celebrate Independence Day in style this year. Visit Tempe Beach Park, at Mill Avenue and Rio tempe-fireworks Salado Parkway on July 4th. Tickets go on sale June 2 for the annual FOX 10 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival, Produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe to benefit children’s charities.Find out more here: http://www.tempe4th.com.

You can also watch fireworks over Tempe Town Lake, listen to music by Walt Richardson and enjoy a buffet dinner in the cool comfort of the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. The Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts presents the 4th of July Spectacular from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are on sale through the TCA Box Office. Call 480 350-2822.

Nov 01

Another Dumb Criminal Story

By City Wide Plumbing AZ, local news, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

As the holiday season approaches scrap metal theft rises. Protect your backflow preventers and service risers with a vandal guard security cages.

Check out this recent story courtesy of azfamily.com to see how one criminal not only left his finger print.. but his whole finger behind.

Originally found: http://www.azfamily.com/news/Cut-off-finger-points-Glendale-police-to-theft-suspect-229945451.html

Criminal leaves finger and finger print behind. Call 480-966-8795 if you are looking to secure your backflow devices to keep from becoming a statistic.

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.

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