Mid-century homes on slabs
Broadmor, near Broadmor Drive east of Rural Road, is a neighborhood of mid-century ranch homes, many built in the late 1950s. Like Maple-Ash to the north, parts of Broadmor still flood irrigate, which gives the neighborhood its lawns and large shade trees.
Homes from that era are now well over 60 years old. Depending on how they have been updated, some still drain through original pipe under the slab. That makes cast iron descaling, root removal and trenchless lining common conversations here.
Why slab construction matters
With drain lines under a concrete floor, the shower, tub and floor drains are the first place a main line clog shows up. Repairs under a slab are where trenchless methods can save the most disruption. A camera inspection tells you whether lining is an option before anyone talks about cutting floors.
Common calls in 85282
- Sewage backing up into showers and tubs
- Descaling original cast iron
- Adding an exterior cleanout to older homes
- Sewer scopes for buyers of mid-century homes
Who owns the sewer line?
In Tempe, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer line from the house to the city's sewer main, including clogs, roots and breaks in that line. The city maintains the main. If homes around you are backing up at the same time, the main may be the problem, and the City of Tempe's Wastewater Collection group maintains it.
Sewer questions in 85282
My 1950s home keeps clogging. Is it the pipe?
It may be. Rust scale, roots at joints and sags are all common in older lines. A camera inspection shows which, and whether cleaning, descaling or lining makes sense.
Can my line be repaired without breaking the slab?
Often, if the pipe is a candidate for lining. A collapsed section or a significant sag usually needs excavation. The camera decides it.
Does flood irrigation affect sewer lines?
Flood-irrigated yards support large, thirsty trees, and big root systems near the sewer path raise the risk of root intrusion through joints and cracks.