Emergency Plumber in Westminster, CO

Westminster runs its own water and sewer system, drawing its water from Standley Lake and maintaining more than 550 miles of water lines. The city owns the service line from the street main to your meter pit; from the meter into the house, the line belongs to the owner. The sewer line from the property to the tap on the city main, including the tap itself, is private too.

What to do in the first few minutes

1. Close the main valve. It is usually where the water line enters the home. If it is stuck, the city's Public Works and Utilities line, 303-658-2500, answers water and sewer problems.
2. Kill power to wet areas. Switch off breakers for any outlets, appliances or lights near the water, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in it.
3. Shut down a leaking water heater. Close its cold inlet and turn the gas control to off or switch off its breaker.
4. Stop using drains during a backup. Every flush or load of laundry adds to what comes up through the lowest drain.
5. Smell gas? Leave. Do not touch switches. Call 911 and Xcel Energy from outside.
6. Document it. Take photos before cleanup for your insurer.

Symptoms and what usually causes them

What affects the cost

The hour matters most: nights, weekends and holidays usually cost more. Access matters next, since a pipe behind tile takes longer than one in an open basement. Westminster also requires a building permit to install or replace a water heater, tank or tankless, and for underground repair or replacement of sewer or water lines, which can add to a bigger repair. Westminster's water is moderately hard, about 7 to 9 grains per gallon, so tanks and valves can wear faster with scale. About a third of homes here predate 1980 (median year built 1987). No arrival time is promised.