Residential plumbing · Denver Metro, Colorado

Leak and pipe repair for Denver Metro homes

If water is leaking right now, shut off your main water valve first, then call. We find and repair leaking pipes, fittings, valves and supply lines in copper, PEX and older galvanized lines, including pipes that froze and split.

Call (303) 472-4368 Schedule Service

Owned by John Kuykendall, Colorado Master Plumber License #03002471

Newly soldered copper water line with a tee and an elbow, running along a concrete basement wall.

Leak and pipe repair covers the water supply side of your plumbing: the pressurized lines that carry hot and cold water from where it enters the house to every fixture and appliance. Pressurized means a small hole can let out a lot of water, so speed matters, and so does finding the real source rather than just the wet spot.

Common leaks we repair

Pinhole leaks in copper pipe
Corroded or failed fittings and joints
Leaking shutoff valves, including the main
Burst braided supply lines to faucets, toilets and appliances
Pipes that froze and split. See burst pipe repair.
Leaking outdoor hose bibs, including frost-free sillcocks that split inside the wall
Corroded sections of older galvanized steel pipe. See pipe repair.

The photo on this page is one of our repairs: a new section of copper with a tee and elbow, soldered in along a basement wall.

Finding a hidden leak

Water travels. It runs along pipes, joists and drywall, so the stain on a ceiling is often a few feet from the actual leak. Start with the meter test: turn off every faucet and water-using appliance, then look at your water meter. If the dial or leak indicator is still moving, water is going somewhere. Check again an hour later without using any water to be sure.

From there it's a process of elimination: shutting off sections, checking fixtures, listening, and looking at the places leaks like to hide, such as under sinks, behind toilets, at the water heater, around hose bibs and in ceilings below bathrooms.

Opening walls

When a pipe is behind a wall or ceiling, it sometimes has to be opened to reach it. We'll talk with you before cutting anything, and keep the opening as small as the repair allows.

Spot repair or new section?

One pinhole in otherwise healthy pipe is a spot repair. Several in the same run, green crust on fittings, or pipe that's visibly thin usually means the section should be replaced, because the next leak is likely close by. With galvanized steel, which corrodes from the inside, replacing sections as they fail is common, and we'll tell you honestly what we see in the rest of the line.

Signs you need leak repair

Your water bill jumped and your use didn't
The water meter moves with every fixture turned off
Stains or bubbling paint on ceilings or walls
Damp drywall, warped flooring or a musty smell
The sound of running water when nothing is on
Lower water pressure than usual
Drips or green crust on copper fittings

How a visit goes

Stop the waterIf it's actively leaking, close the main shutoff. Call us and we'll help you find it if you're not sure where it is.
Find the sourceWater travels along pipes and framing, so the stain isn't always below the leak. We trace it back to where it starts.
Agree on the repairA spot repair, or replacing a longer section if the pipe around the leak is in poor shape. You'll hear why.
Repair and testWe make the repair, restore water, and check the work under pressure before we leave.

Colorado notes

What's different here

Freezing. Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and over unheated spaces are the ones that freeze. Keep the heat on when you travel, and open sink cabinets on exterior walls during cold snaps.
Hose bibs. Disconnect garden hoses before the first hard freeze. A hose left on a frost-free sillcock traps water in the valve, and it can split inside the wall where you won't see it until spring.
Older pipe. Galvanized steel in older homes corrodes from the inside, which shows up as low pressure, rusty water and leaks at the threads.
Know your shutoff. Find and test your main shutoff before you need it. Many are in a basement or utility room where the line enters the house.

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.

Where the leak isExposed pipe in a basement is faster to reach than pipe inside a finished wall.
Pipe materialCopper, PEX and galvanized each repair differently.
How far the damage goesA single pinhole vs. several feet of freeze-split pipe.
Spot repair or sectionSometimes replacing a run costs less over time than patching it twice.
Valves involvedA failed shutoff may need replacing along with the pipe.
AccessCrawl spaces, finished ceilings and tight spots take more time.

More about leak & pipe repair

Questions we hear

How can I tell if I have a hidden leak?

Turn off every faucet and water-using appliance, then look at your water meter. If the dial or leak indicator is still moving, water is going somewhere. Check again in an hour without using any water to be sure.

Where is my main water shutoff?

Usually where the water line enters the house: a basement wall facing the street, a utility room near the water heater, a crawl space, or the garage. Learn where it is and turn it once a year so it doesn't seize.

What should I do if a pipe freezes?

Open the faucet it feeds so water can move once it thaws, and warm the area gently with a space heater or hair dryer, never an open flame. If the pipe has split, shut off the main before it thaws, then call. See burst pipe repair.

Should I repair a pinhole leak or replace the pipe?

One pinhole can be a spot repair. Several in the same area usually point to pipe that's thinning, and replacing that section avoids chasing the next leak.

Is a leaking shutoff valve urgent?

A slow drip isn't an emergency, but don't put it off. Shutoffs tend to fail when you need them most, and a drip can rot a cabinet floor over time.

How do I keep pipes from freezing?

Keep the house heated, disconnect hoses before winter, seal drafts near pipes in crawl spaces and rim joists, and open cabinets on exterior walls during cold snaps. On the coldest nights, a thin trickle from a vulnerable faucet helps.

How much water can a small leak waste?

EPA WaterSense estimates that household leaks can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water a year in the average home. A leak you can't see can be the biggest one.

Leak & 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.