In Edgewater, a water heater needs replacing when the tank leaks, the hot water turns rusty or runs out fast, or an old unit keeps breaking down. The City of Edgewater Building Department handles plumbing permits, and homeowners may pull their own only under specific conditions. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Edgewater.
Edgewater is a small, fully urban city next to Sloan's Lake with some of the oldest housing around Denver: census survey figures put the median year built at 1958, with about 79.4% of homes built before 1980. The city buys Denver Water through six master meters and runs its own distribution system. Denver Water's 2026 report lists average hardness around 105 mg/L. Homeowners here own their water service line and meter.
What to do right now
- Close the cold supply valve above the heater.
- Turn off the gas at the control, or switch off the breaker for an electric unit.
- If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999 from outside.
- Clear stored items and soak up water, especially in a basement with finished walls.
- Record the heater's gallons, fuel and age.
- Call for a replacement and confirm who will pull the city permit.
Symptoms and what they point to
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Steady drip from the tank bottom | Corrosion through the tank wall |
| Rust-colored hot water | A spent anode rod or rusting tank |
| Popping as the water heats | Sediment built up on the bottom |
| Pilot keeps going out | Thermocouple, gas valve or a vent draft issue |
| Hot water runs short | Sediment, a bad element or an undersized tank |
Cost factors
- Fuel, size and efficiency of the new heater
- Flue and venting updates, common in pre-1960 homes
- Gas connector and shutoff replacements
- Expansion tank, drain pan and relief line work
- Narrow basement stairs or tight closets
- The permit and haul-away
The City of Edgewater Building Department, at 1800 Harlan Street, issues plumbing permits, including homeowner permits. A homeowner may pull a plumbing permit only by certifying that they'll personally do the work and that the property isn't for sale or rent, and the work must meet the International Plumbing Code. Applications go through the CommunityCore portal; Community Development can be reached at 720-763-3001. For most owners, having the plumber pull the permit is the simpler route. In houses this age, expect the plumber to check the flue and gas connector closely, since those are often what an inspector flags.
Water Heater Replacement questions in Edgewater
Does a water heater replacement here need a permit, and who issues it?
What can make a replacement harder in an older home?
Who do I call if the water has to be shut off at the street?
What happens to the old water heater?
More plumbing services in Edgewater
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