Plumbing guides
Short, practical answers for Front Range homes: what to do first, what's safe to try, and when to call.
Plumbing glossary: terms explained →Emergencies
What to do when a pipe bursts
Shut off the main water valve, open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the lines, turn off the water heater, and cut power to any room where water is reaching outlets. Then call a plumber, photograph the damage, and call your insurer.
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How to find and test your main water shutoff
Look where the water line enters the house, usually through the basement or crawl space wall facing the street, next to the water meter. Test it once a year by closing it and confirming water stops at a faucet, so you know it works before a pipe bursts.
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Sump pump not working? Causes and fixes
Check power first, then the float: if it's stuck against the pit wall the pump won't start. A pump that runs but doesn't empty the pit often has a frozen or clogged discharge line or a stuck check valve. If the pit is about to overflow, call right away.
Read the guideWinter & freezing
How to prevent frozen pipes in a Colorado winter
Before the first hard freeze, disconnect hoses, blow out the sprinkler system and seal air leaks near pipes. During a cold snap, keep the heat at 55 °F or higher, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, and let faucets on outside walls drip.
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How to winterize outdoor faucets and sprinklers
Disconnect every hose, check that hose bibs are frost-free or shut off and drained from inside, have the sprinkler system blown out with compressed air, and drain or insulate the backflow preventer. Do it before the first hard freeze, often in October on the Front Range.
Read the guideDrains & sewer
Why is my basement floor drain backing up?
When water comes up through the basement floor drain, the main sewer line is usually blocked between the house and the street. Stop using water upstairs, then call a plumber to clear the main line. If it happens more than once, a camera inspection shows the cause.
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Should you get a sewer scope before buying a home?
For homes built before about 1980, or with large trees in the front yard, a sewer scope is worth it. A standard home inspection doesn't look inside the sewer line, and in Colorado the buyer will own that line all the way to the main.
Read the guideWater heaters
Costs & planning
Repair or replace your water heater?
Repair when a replaceable part failed on a heater under about 8 years old. Replace when the tank itself leaks, the heater is past 10 to 12 years, or repairs keep adding up. A leaking tank can't be repaired.
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High water bill? How to find a hidden leak
Turn off every fixture and watch the meter's leak indicator for 15 minutes. If it moves, put dye in each toilet tank, check the water heater and irrigation, then call for leak detection if you still can't find it.
Read the guideWater where it shouldn't be? Start with a call.
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