Residential plumbing ยท Denver Metro, Colorado
Burst pipe repair
Shut off the main water valve right away, turn off power to wet areas if you can do it safely, and open a low faucet to drain pressure. Then call. Most burst pipes in Colorado homes are freeze damage in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and hose bibs.
Water leaking right now?
Shut off the main water valve if you can, then call. We answer emergency calls around the clock.
A burst pipe can put a lot of water into a house fast. The first few minutes are about stopping it; the repair comes after. Here's what to do and what we do when we get there.
Why pipes burst in Colorado
Water expands when it freezes. In a pipe, the ice builds pressure between the frozen section and a closed faucet, and the pipe splits, often somewhere other than where the ice is. The split leaks once the ice thaws, which is why burst pipes are often discovered the morning after a cold snap, or the first warm day after one.
The usual places: pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, over unheated rooms, near rim joists with air leaks, and frost-free hose bibs with a hose still attached.
If the pipe is frozen but not leaking
- Open the faucet the pipe feeds so water can move as it thaws.
- Warm the area gently: a space heater at a safe distance, a hair dryer, warm towels. Never use an open flame.
- Know where the main shutoff is before it thaws, in case it has split.
The repair
We cut out the damaged section and install new pipe, copper or PEX depending on what's there, then check the rest of the run, because freezes often damage more than one spot. After repair, we pressurize and inspect before closing up. If the cause was a draft or uninsulated run, we'll point it out so it doesn't happen again.
Preventing the next one
- Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze.
- Keep the heat on when you travel; don't set it too low.
- Open sink cabinets on exterior walls during cold snaps.
- Seal drafts near pipes at rim joists and crawl space vents.
- Let a vulnerable faucet trickle on the coldest nights.
Where to look after a hard freeze
- Under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls
- Hose bibs: run each one briefly and check inside the wall behind it
- Crawl spaces and the rim joist area of basements
- Pipes in garages and near the garage door
- Laundry hookups on exterior walls
- Any room that felt colder than the rest of the house
If you find frost on a pipe or no flow from a faucet, it's frozen. Open the faucet, warm the area gently, and keep the main shutoff in reach in case it has split.
Protecting the house while you wait
Once the water is off, move rugs, furniture and electronics away from wet areas, put towels down to slow spreading water, and take photos before you clean up. If a ceiling is sagging with water, keep people out from under it. Opening cabinet doors and running a fan helps start drying, but larger water damage usually needs a restoration company.
Signs of a burst or frozen pipe
- Water spraying from a wall, ceiling or pipe
- No water from a faucet during a cold snap (frozen)
- Water at a hose bib inside the wall
- Bulging or wet drywall
- Sound of running water
- Water bill spike after a freeze
How a visit goes
- Stop the waterOn the phone if needed.
- Find every splitFreeze damage is rarely just one spot.
- Replace the damaged sectionAnd test under pressure.
- Explain the causeSo it doesn't happen again.
What's different here
- Cold snaps. Front Range temperatures can drop sharply; the most vulnerable pipes are in exterior walls and crawl spaces.
- Hose bibs. A hose left on a frost-free sillcock can split the valve inside the wall.
- Thaw timing. Splits often leak only once the pipe thaws, sometimes days later.
What affects the cost
Every home is set up differently, so we price the job after we've seen it. These are the things that move the number.
- AccessExposed vs. inside finished walls.
- Damage extentOne split or several.
- Pipe materialCopper, PEX or galvanized.
- Hose bib replacementIf the sillcock split.
- TimingAfter-hours calls may differ; ask.
- Drywall and dryingSeparate trades.
Questions we hear
What do I do first when a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve, then deal with electricity only if it's safe. Then call.
How do I thaw a frozen pipe?
Open the faucet and warm the area gently with a space heater or hair dryer. Never use an open flame.
Why did my pipe burst after it warmed up?
The split happened during the freeze; it only leaks once the ice melts.
Can a burst pipe be patched?
Temporary clamps can stop a leak, but the damaged section should be replaced.
How do I prevent frozen pipes?
Keep heat on, disconnect hoses, seal drafts and open cabinets on cold nights.
Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes?
Often, for sudden damage; check your policy. Photos help.
Should I leave faucets dripping in a cold snap?
On the coldest nights, a thin trickle from a vulnerable faucet keeps water moving and relieves pressure. It's a small cost against a burst pipe.
Who should I call for water damage cleanup?
For anything beyond a small area, a water damage restoration company. We fix the pipe; they handle drying and repairs to finishes.
Can a pipe freeze inside a heated house?
Yes, if it runs through an exterior wall, crawl space, garage or a spot where cold air leaks in. Heat in the room doesn't always reach the pipe.
Related services
Leak & Pipe Repair
Pinhole leaks, failed fittings, frozen and split pipes, leaking shutoff valves and supply lines.
24-Hour Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, active leaks and water heater failures that can't wait.
Burst pipe repair near you
We're based in Thornton and work across the Denver Metro:
Emergency plumber by city
Water leaking now? Shut off the main, then call.
Something leaking, dripping or cold?
Call and tell us what's going on, or pick a time online. If it's not something we handle, we'll say so.