One of the most important topics to understand early on is water usage and leak prevention. Not only can leaks cause damage, but they can also lead to unexpectedly high water bills, which are the resident’s responsibility per the lease.

🔔 Set Up Water Usage Alerts

We strongly encourage you to set up usage alerts with your local water provider. This way, you’ll be notified quickly if your usage suddenly increases—often a sign of a leak or irrigation issue.

💧 Common Causes of High Water Use

Leaking toilets, faucets, or plumbing lines
Broken sprinklers or drip lines
Pools with unnoticed leaks
Irrigation timers accidentally running too long or too often
Water heaters with undetected leaks

🛑 Know How to Shut Off Water Quickly

Being able to shut off water in an emergency can save you thousands in potential damages. Here's what you need to know:

🔧 Main Shut-Off Valve

Every home has a main water shut-off valve.
It’s typically located:
On the exterior side wall near the front hose bib
Inside a meter box near the street or sidewalk (you may need a water key to access it)
In an emergency (like a major leak or burst pipe), shut this valve off immediately and submit a maintenance request right after.

🚽 Under-Sink & Toilet Valves

Each sink and toilet has its own individual shut-off valve, usually located just below the fixture.
Turn these clockwise to shut off water or in some cases if its circular valve pull out:
If a toilet is constantly running
If you notice dripping under a sink
If a pipe bursts or starts leaking

🔧 Tip: Practice turning these valves now, so you're comfortable using them in an emergency.

🔍 Weekly Leak Prevention Checklist

Check your water meter for movement when no water is in use
Inspect toilets using food coloring to detect silent leaks
Look under sinks weekly for moisture or signs of damage
💡Use rubber sink mats to protect cabinetry
Monitor your water heater—do not store items around it
Inspect hose bibs and avoid leaving hoses attached
Manually test your irrigation weekly—walk the yard while it's on
Watch for pooling water or signs of excess moisture near washing machines, under appliances, and around fixtures

📽 Visit chandleraz.gov/WaterLeaks for helpful video tutorials on leak detection.

🦠 Prevent Mold & Moisture Damage

Excess moisture can lead to mold—here’s how to prevent it:

Use exhaust fans during and after showers
Leave bathroom/shower doors open afterward to dry out
Wipe down moisture on windows, walls, and surfaces
Open blinds and use ceiling fans to improve air flow
Check for leaks under sinks and around windows
Ensure your dryer vents outside properly

📩 Immediately Report in Writing:

Leaks or plumbing drips
Any discoloration of ceilings, floors, or walls
Loose or soft bathroom tiles
Signs of mold or mildew
HVAC or exhaust fan problems
Overflow incidents (sinks, bathtubs, laundry)
Water intrusion from roofs or windows

Staying informed helps you save money, avoid damage, and protect your security deposit. If you ever have questions or need help finding your shut-off valves, please contact us—we’re happy to assist!