Plumbing Services in Colorado Springs, CO

Yes. Parts of Colorado Springs sit on expansive clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks as it dries. That movement can put stress on water and drain lines running under the slab, through the foundation or out to the street. Over time it can contribute to leaks, sags in drain lines and cracked joints. Warning signs include a water bill that climbs with no change in use, damp or warm spots on floors and slow drains throughout the house. Keeping sprinklers and downspouts from soaking the soil next to the foundation helps, and Water Leak Detection can pinpoint a hidden leak.

Many plumbing jobs need a permit in Colorado Springs, including most water heater installations and new or relocated gas and waterlines. Permits for the area are issued through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Simple repairs, such as replacing a faucet cartridge or a toilet flapper, typically do not. A permit matters because it includes a final check that the work meets code, which is especially important for gas lines and water heater venting. A licensed plumber pulls the permit and handles the permit sign-off as part of the job, so you do not need to manage it yourself.

The first sign is usually a faucet that gives only a trickle, or nothing at all, on a cold morning while other faucets work normally. A toilet that will not refill is another clue. Look along exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces, basements and exterior walls for frost or a bulge. Colorado Springs' sharp overnight temperature drops make early morning the most common time to find one. If you suspect a frozen pipe, keep the faucet open, warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer, never an open flame, and call a plumber if it does not thaw or you see a leak.

Keep the heat on and set no lower than the mid-50s, even when you are away. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze, because a hose left attached traps water that can split the pipe behind even a freeze-resistant outdoor faucet. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes, and let a faucet drip on the coldest nights. Insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and unheated basements. Know where your main water shutoff valve is. If a faucet slows to a trickle on a cold morning, a pipe may already be partly frozen.

Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve right away, usually found where the water line enters the house, in the basement, crawlspace or utility room. If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker if you can do so safely. Open a faucet on the lowest level to drain the remaining water from the lines. Move belongings out of the way, take photos for your insurance records and start drying the area. Then call a plumber to repair the pipe and find out why it failed, such as freezing.

Water pressure in Colorado Springs can vary a lot by neighborhood, because the city has big changes in elevation. Homes at lower points in a water zone may get high street pressure, and many have a pressure-reducing valve to bring it down to a safe level. When that valve wears out, pressure can creep up, which stresses faucets, toilets and water heaters, or drop off, leaving weak showers. Low pressure in just one fixture usually points to a clogged aerator or valve instead. A plumber can measure your pressure at a hose bib and tell you whether the valve needs adjustment or replacement.