Emergency Plumber in Denver, CO

First moves, in order

1. Find the main shutoff and turn it off. In many Denver homes it sits on a basement wall near the front of the house, where the service line comes in. Turn the valve clockwise, or a quarter turn for a lever handle.
2. Keep away from wet electrical gear. Only flip breakers if the panel is somewhere dry.
3. Open a low faucet. Draining the lines takes pressure off the break.
4. Take photos. Shots of the source and the damage help the plumber and any insurance adjuster.

What counts as an emergency

• A split pipe after a hard freeze, often in an exterior wall, crawl space or garage
• Wastewater coming up through a basement floor drain or tub
• A water heater leaking from the tank itself
• No water anywhere in the house with no explanation

A running toilet or one leaky fixture with a working stop valve can usually wait for a weekday visit.

Gas odor comes first

If you smell gas, do not touch switches or start appliances. Leave the house, then call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999 from outside. A plumber can work on gas piping once the utility says it is safe.

Denver Water or a plumber?

Denver Water handles water emergencies in the street and on its mains at 303-628-6801. The utility also says the property owner owns the service line running from the main into the house, so a leak on that line or anywhere indoors is a plumbing repair rather than a utility job. If water is bubbling up in the street or several neighbors lose water at once, call Denver Water first.

Shutoffs in older houses

Denver's median home dates to 1975, and about 55.5% of housing was built before 1980. In homes that age, a main valve that sits untouched for years can stick or snap the day it is needed. Test yours on an ordinary afternoon and have it replaced if it fights you.

What to expect on the call

You will be routed to an independent local plumber serving Denver. Give the address and say whether the water is off. After-hours visits frequently carry a higher fee, so ask how the job is billed. Arrival depends on time of day and demand, and no specific time is promised.