Tempe has the oldest housing of any town near Chandler, and most of its homes are rented. That changes who calls whom when a pipe lets go. Whether you rent, own or manage property here, describe the problem once and independent, ROC-licensed restoration companies can reply with free quotes.
Get a Free QuoteOnly about 42 percent of Tempe homes are owner-occupied, well below Chandler's 65 percent. So the first question is often not "who dries this" but "whose call is it."
Your lease spells out responsibilities. For disputes, an Arizona attorney or a tenant resource can advise; we can't.
Request quotes for the address, note that it is tenant-occupied, and companies can reply to you directly.
Tempe's median home was built in 1984. Seventeen percent predate 1970, 24 percent are from the 1970s and 22 percent from the 1980s. Houses and apartments of that age are where original galvanized or early copper lines, tired drain lines and long-ignored sink cabinets give out. A slow drip under a kitchen sink can go unnoticed for weeks in a busy rental, and by the time a tenant smells it, the cabinet base may need replacing.
Hard water adds wear. The city's 2016 report gave an average near 13.2 grains per gallon, with some sources much higher. Scale is one reason tank water heaters in older Tempe units fail without much warning.
If the leak came from a sewer line or a backed-up toilet, treat it as Category 3 water: keep kids and pets out, skip the shop vac, and see a doctor if anyone feels ill after exposure. The sewage backup cleanup page has more.
In a duplex, condo or apartment block, water rarely stays in one unit. A supply line that fails upstairs shows up as a stained ceiling downstairs, and the drying plan has to include both. Tell the restoration companies in your request whether neighboring units are affected so they can quote for moisture mapping beyond your own walls. Fast emergency water extraction matters more here than in a detached house, because every hour lets water travel further through shared framing.
Tempe sits 8.6 miles from central Chandler, and many East Valley companies cover both. Ask each for its ROC license number, then check it at roc.az.gov. Mold is a separate question: Arizona doesn't have a mold-specific license as far as we could find, so ask about IICRC training and the company's ROC license for any rebuild. See mold after water damage for warning signs.
Owners, tenants and property managers can all use the form. Say who owns the property and whether other units are affected. Independent companies typically offer 24/7 emergency response. For an active leak, call Call (727) 300-6656.
Protect yourself and your things: move belongings away, put down a bucket, and turn off power to the room if water is near outlets or fixtures. Tell your landlord or property manager right away, in writing as well as by phone, with photos. The building is usually the owner's responsibility; your belongings fall under renters insurance if you have it. Read your lease for specifics.
It is a good idea. About 41 percent of Tempe homes were built before 1980, an era when some ceiling textures, joint compounds and floor tiles contained asbestos. Single owner-occupied homes are generally exempt from Maricopa County Rule 370's inspection and notice rules, but rentals may not be. Ask the restoration company to test before it cuts.
Tempe's 2016 water quality report listed an average of about 13.2 grains per gallon, with a range from 5.8 to 26.3 depending on source. The figure is dated, so check the city's current report, but anything above 10.5 gpg counts as very hard. That scale contributes to water heater and supply-line failures over time.
Tell us what happened and independent East Valley restoration companies can reply with no-obligation quotes.
