Thornton, Colorado ยท Emergency Service
Emergency plumber in Thornton, CO
Burst pipe or water heater failure in Thornton? Shut off the main water valve, then call. We're based in Thornton.
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 Thornton home
In south Thornton's older ranches, the main shutoff is usually in the basement on the wall facing the street, often an old gate valve with a round handle; turn it clockwise until it stops, and don't force it if it won't move. In newer north Thornton homes it's typically a lever-style ball valve in the basement mechanical room near the water heater, which closes with a quarter turn.
If the problem is the water heater, turn its gas control to Off and close the cold valve on top. Then call (303) 472-4368.
Common Thornton emergencies
- Hose bibs that split inside the wall after a freeze, found the first time the hose goes on in spring
- Older tanks in tight south Thornton utility closets that let go at the seam
- Supply lines bursting under kitchen sinks on exterior walls during a cold snap
Before the next cold snap
Thornton's open northern subdivisions catch wind, and garages and exterior walls on the north side of a house get the coldest. Disconnect hoses in fall, know where the main is, and keep the heat set at a sensible level if you travel.
After hours: the city's side or yours?
Thornton runs its own water utility, and the city lists 720-977-6500 for reporting a possible water break, including after hours; the city has told residents to select 2 to reach after-hours dispatch (City of Thornton water page). Call that number for water bubbling up in the street or yard, a leak at the meter pit, or no water at all with no leak in the house. Anything on the house side of the meter, from the main shutoff to the faucets, is a plumber's job.
Shutoffs by neighborhood
In older Thornton homes, including many of the ranches south of 104th Avenue, the main shut-off is often in a basement or crawl-space corner on the street side, and it may be an older gate-style valve. Around Thorncreek and Hunters Glen, check near the water heater in an unfinished basement room first. In Eastlake and the subdivisions toward E-470, look for a quarter-turn ball valve in the mechanical room, often with a pressure-reducing valve right after it.
If you've just moved in, find the main now, label it, and make sure nothing is stacked in front of it. A tag that says which way is closed helps anyone else in the house.
Freeze notes for Thornton
Thornton sits on open plains with little to break a north wind, and arctic fronts can drop temperatures fast. The pipes that tend to suffer are frost-free hose bibs left with a hose attached, kitchen lines on north-facing exterior walls, and anything near a garage. Disconnect hoses in fall, keep the garage door down during a cold snap, and open sink cabinets on exterior walls on the coldest nights.
A frozen pipe that hasn't split yet can still be thawed slowly with warm air. Don't use an open flame. If you find a split, close the main before it thaws, because that's when it starts spraying.
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.
Thornton emergency questions
Do you handle emergencies in Thornton at night?
Yes. We answer emergency calls 24 hours a day for burst pipes, active leaks and water heater failures.
Where is the main shutoff in my Thornton home?
Usually in the basement where the water line enters, on the street-facing wall in older homes or in the mechanical room in newer ones.
Who fixes a leak between the street and my Thornton house?
The city handles its mains and the meter. On most properties, the service line from the meter to the house belongs to the owner. If you see water surfacing in the yard and aren't sure which side it's on, call the city's line first; they can check the meter.
My hose bib leaked the first time I used it in spring. Is that freeze damage?
Often, yes. A frost-free hose bib left with a hose attached can split inside the wall, and you only see it when the water is turned on. Shut it off inside if there's a valve, or close the main, and call.
Is a Thornton 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.