In an Idaho Springs plumbing emergency, close the main valve, and if you smell gas, leave and call 911 and your gas utility, or your propane supplier if the home uses propane. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Idaho Springs.
Local conditions in Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs is a Gold Rush town founded in 1859 in Clear Creek Canyon along I-70, with a historic downtown on Miner Street and mostly residential streets on the west end. The City of Idaho Springs runs its own public water system, drawing surface water from Devils Canyon and Chicago Creek and disinfecting it with chlorine. The city's contact number, listed on its water quality report, is 303-567-4421; call it for water in the street or a problem with city service. The city says it is responsible for removing lead pipes it controls.
Our research did not confirm who provides sewer service, where the city's part of a service line ends, or which gas utility serves the town. So for a backup affecting more than your house, or a leak near the street, call City Hall before assuming it is a private repair. For a gas smell, leave and call 911 and the utility on your gas bill, or your propane supplier if the home runs on propane. Mountain winters are long, and cold nights freeze pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls more often than in the metro.
Who to call
| Problem | First call |
|---|---|
| Water main break or water running down the street | City of Idaho Springs, 303-567-4421 |
| Leak near the curb, unsure whose pipe | The city, then a plumber if it is private |
| Burst pipe or leaking water heater indoors | A plumber |
| Drains backing up in your house only | A plumber |
| Gas or propane odor | Leave; 911 and the gas utility or propane supplier |
Signs of a real emergency
- Water spraying from a pipe or fitting
- Sewage rising in a tub or floor drain
- A water heater leaking from its tank
- A ceiling or wall soaking through
- No water after a hard freeze
Timing and permit notes
Night and weekend visits usually cost more, and travel up the canyon can add time. For the lasting repair, Idaho Springs treats water heaters, gas lines and boilers as One-Stop permits submitted at City Hall or by email, with SAFEbuilt doing plan review and inspections; the water heater sticker has to stay on until inspections pass. Plumbing plans are required for interior plumbing changes. Replacing bathroom fixtures without replacing the lines does not need a permit. No arrival time is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in Idaho Springs
Who do I call when a water main breaks in the street?
Does an emergency repair still need a permit here?
A pipe froze and split during a cold snap. What now?
I smell gas near the furnace or water heater. What should I do?
More plumbing services in Idaho Springs
Emergency Plumber nearby
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