Denver, Colorado ยท Emergency Service
Emergency plumber in Denver, CO
Burst pipe or water heater failure in Denver? Shut off the main water valve, then call.
Water leaking right now?
Shut off the main water valve if you can, then call. We answer emergency calls around the clock.
What to do right now in a Denver home
In bungalows, Denver Squares and post-war ranches, the main shutoff is usually in the basement on the wall facing the street, where the service line comes through the foundation. Older ones are gate valves that can be stiff; turn steadily clockwise. In rowhomes and newer infill, check the mechanical closet near the water heater.
Old galvanized fittings and original shutoffs can fail when disturbed, so close the main gently and don't force a stuck valve.
Common Denver emergencies
- Galvanized fittings rusting through in basements of older homes
- Water heaters failing in cramped basements with old chimney venting
- Frozen pipes in exterior walls and unheated porches of older houses
Before the next cold snap
Older Denver houses often have pipes in exterior walls and under enclosed porches. Find and exercise the basement shutoff once a year so it turns when you need it.
Denver Water after hours
Denver Water lists 303-628-6801 for after-hours emergency service; its customer care line, 303-893-2444, is for business hours (Denver Water, services and information). Call them for a main break, water surfacing in the street or tree lawn, or a leaking curb stop or meter. Leaks inside the house, and many service-line issues on private property, are the owner's; Denver Water's site explains where its responsibility ends.
Old houses, many shutoffs
In Highland, Baker, Congress Park and Park Hill, a Victorian or bungalow basement may have more than one valve: an old main near the foundation and a newer one added during a remodel. Close the one closest to where the line enters. Washington Park's Denver Squares and the Harvey Park ranches are usually simpler, with the main on the street-facing basement wall. In Central Park and Green Valley Ranch, look in the mechanical closet near the water heater or tankless unit.
Galvanized fittings and old gate valves can snap if forced. Turn gently, and if a valve won't move, call before you reach for a wrench.
Winter in older Denver houses
Enclosed porches, mudrooms added to the back of a house, and second-floor bathrooms over unheated space are where Denver pipes freeze. Keep interior doors open to those areas on bitter nights. If a room is always cold, consider rerouting the line or adding insulation rather than repairing the same freeze every few years.
Altitude also matters after a freeze: if a gas water heater was shut off and its pilot or igniter won't light again, don't keep retrying. Call.
What we handle
Burst and freeze-split pipes, active leaks you can't stop at a fixture shutoff, and water heater failures. More on emergency plumbing, burst pipe repair and leaking water heaters.
Denver emergency questions
My old basement shutoff won't turn. What now?
Don't force it. Call us; we'll talk you through other options, including the valve at the meter, which belongs to Denver Water.
Who handles a leak between my house and the street?
Leaks at the meter or in the street are Denver Water's responsibility; the line inside your property is yours.
Denver Water says the leak is on my side. What now?
Leaks inside the house, and many on private service lines, are the owner's. Close your main, or ask Denver Water to close the curb stop if your main won't hold, then call us to repair the private side.
Is a rusty drip from a basement fitting in an old Denver house urgent?
A slow weep can wait for a regular visit, but don't disturb it. Galvanized fittings that are rusting through can let go when bumped. If it's spraying or growing, close the main and call.
Is a Denver plumbing emergency worth calling about at night?
Yes. We answer emergency calls 24 hours a day for burst pipes, active leaks and water heater failures. If water is pouring, shut off the main first either way.