Plumber in Sun City West, AZ: For the Homes Del Webb Built From 1978 to 1997

In a house built in 1989, the heater that came with it is decades past its six-year factory warranty, and the one in the garage now is often a replacement. The heater itself is only part of the picture. The gas connector, venting, relief valve line, and shutoff above the tank may still be the ones installed for the first heater, and we check them whenever the tank is changed. More homes here heat with gas than in Sun City, which suggests more gas water heaters in garages as well.

Polybutylene was a flexible plastic supply pipe used in American homes from about 1978 to 1997, the same years Del Webb was building Sun City West. It was later the subject of a large class-action settlement over leaks. No one has counted how many homes here have it, so we check rather than assume. If you are not sure what your supply lines are made of, we can look at the exposed runs at the water heater, the main shutoff, and under sinks, where the pipe is often stamped with its type, and tell you what you have before anyone talks about replacing anything. If it turns out you do have it, that alone is not an emergency. We explain what a replacement would involve and what it would cost, so you can plan it on your own timeline.

Shower valves and faucets of this age tend to start dripping, get stiff, or swing between hot and cold. A new cartridge often fixes it without opening a wall. When the valve body itself is worn out or parts are no longer made, we explain the options, including a valve replacement, before any work starts.

The small shutoffs under sinks and toilets were installed with the house. After 30-plus years, many will not close all the way, and some start to weep. Replacing them during a faucet or toilet job is inexpensive insurance.

Why the spread matters

EPCOR reports hardness in Sun City West ranging from 3 to 11 grains per gallon. That spread matters more than the average. A softener sized and set by guesswork can be too aggressive for one house and too light for another. Before recommending a softener size or setting, we look at your home's water rather than the system average, and we plan tankless descaling accordingly. Our tankless descale is a flat $250.

Arsenic, fluoride, and sodium

EPCOR runs an arsenic removal facility for this system, and both arsenic and fluoride test under their federal limits. Fluoride reached a level high enough to trigger a routine notice about young children, and sodium runs about 50 to 100 parts per million. If you watch your sodium, keep in mind that a salt-based softener adds some, and a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen sink provides drinking and cooking water with much less of it, along with lower levels of arsenic and fluoride.

Disinfected with chlorine

EPCOR uses chlorine in this system. Residents who notice it in drinking water can add a carbon filter under the kitchen sink.

Tank size

A smaller tank keeps less water hot while you are not using it, which saves energy, and still covers two showers and a dishwasher. If family visits for the holidays, we size for a busy week, not for every day of the year. We set the temperature with you at install.

Gas or electric

If the house already has a gas water heater, staying with gas is usually the simplest swap. Electric homes can stay electric, and a heat pump water heater is worth considering in a roomy garage because it moves heat from the garage air into the tank and draws far less power than elements alone. Ask your utility about current rebates before choosing.

Tankless

A tankless unit saves space and keeps up with long showers, but it is a bigger project: the county's swap exemption leaves out on-demand heaters, so it goes through a permit, and the gas piping to the unit may need upsizing. It also needs regular descaling. For a small household that is home part of the year, a well-chosen tank is often the better value. You get a written price for each.

A short drive, and a familiar face

We work in Sun City West regularly, and it is a short drive for us. The plumber who comes to your door is Pavel (Paul), which matters when you are letting someone into your home.

A license you can check

Scams aimed at older homeowners are a real problem in the Sun Cities. We make it easy to check us: our Arizona Registrar of Contractors license is #150707, and we are bonded and insured. The price is in writing before work starts, and nothing is added without your say.

“Pavel came out right away and fixed my shower leaks. He was professional, thorough and very friendly. He did a great job. I would highly recommend him to anyone. I will be using his services again.”

“Paul from American Discount Plumbing saved our Thanksgiving. We had the whole family in our house and the shower valve started leaking. We had to shut off the water to the house. Thanksgiving seemed thoroughly ruined. We called all Phoenix-area plumbers, but only Paul came through. He came late Wednesday and fixed our valve professionally and it now turns so easily! We can all use bathrooms and showers again for Thanksgiving! Thanks so much for your help, Paul!”