State plumbing guide · AZ
Plumbing in Arizona
In Arizona's desert cities, most plumbing trouble comes from the water rather than the cold. Mineral-heavy water scales water heaters and fixtures, and most homes sit on slabs with supply lines underneath.
- Median home built
- 1994
- Built before 1980
- 28%
- Owner-occupied
- 68%
- Winter
- Hard freezes are rare
- General statewide rating
- Plumbing code
- UPC and IPC
- City guides
- 9
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035, B25034).
Arizona city plumbing guides
- PhoenixMedian home 1986very hard waterMaricopa County
- TucsonMedian home 1979Pima County
- MesaMedian home 1989Maricopa County
- GilbertMedian home 2004hard waterMaricopa County
- ChandlerMedian home 1998very hard waterMaricopa County
- GlendaleMedian home 1987Maricopa County
- ScottsdaleMedian home 1991very hard waterMaricopa County
- PeoriaMedian home 2000Maricopa County
- TempeMedian home 1986Maricopa County
How to check a plumber's license in Arizona
Plumbing contractors in Arizona are licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, which offers a public contractor search by license number or business name. [1]
What shapes plumbing in Arizona
The Central Arizona Project, a 336-mile system, delivers Colorado River water to Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties, the state's most populated region. [3]
Which plumbing code applies in Arizona
Arizona adopts plumbing codes locally: cities and counties choose and amend their own. Most use the International Plumbing Code (the ICC counted at least 85 Arizona jurisdictions on the IPC in 2013), and Phoenix adopts both the IPC and the UPC. Always check with your city or county. [2]
Seasonal problems to plan for in Arizona
- Summer
- Very hot supply water from lines near the surface, heavy cooling and irrigation demand, and stress on exposed piping and hose bibs.
- Winter
- Occasional overnight freezes in the low desert, more at higher elevations. Protect exposed backflow devices and outdoor pipes.
How old Arizona's homes are
Statewide, the median home was built in 1994 and 28% of homes predate 1980. Homes like that were usually built with copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe. The city guides below show how much that varies within the state.
Regions of Arizona
Phoenix metro
Salt, Verde and Colorado River water; hard water; slab foundations; extreme summer heat.
Southern Arizona
Tucson: hard groundwater blended with CAP water, and older housing than Phoenix.
Arizona plumbing questions
How do I check a plumbing contractor's license in Arizona?
Search the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' contractor search by license number or business name before hiring.
Why do Arizona water heaters wear out quickly?
Hard water deposits scale in tanks and heat exchangers. Regular flushing or descaling, and a softener where water is very hard, help. See water heater maintenance.
Sources (4)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035, B25034) · checked 2026-10-01
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors, Contractor Search · checked 2026-10-01
- International Code Council, IPC adoption in Arizona (January 30, 2013); City of Phoenix · checked 2026-10-01
- Central Arizona Project · checked 2026-10-01