Faucet Repair in Boulder, CO

Signs it's time for a faucet repair

• A spout that drips no matter how firmly the handle is closed
• Water running down the outside of the faucet or pooling at its base
• A handle that wobbles, spins freely or needs extra force
• Hot and cold that will not mix the way they used to
• Rust-colored drips or green staining around an old fixture
• A wet or swollen cabinet floor under the sink

Boulder's water and older homes

The City of Boulder runs its own water system, fed by Barker Reservoir, North Boulder Creek, Carter Lake and Boulder Reservoir depending on the season, and treated at the Betasso and 63rd Street plants. Boulder disinfects with chlorine rather than chloramine. Its water report does not list a hardness figure, so a plumber should judge scale by what the parts look like, not by assumption.

The city also runs a corrosion control program meant to reduce lead picked up from home plumbing. Its service line inventory found no lead service lines, but Boulder encourages owners of homes built before 1956 to confirm their pipe material on the city's online map. Old brass faucets and valves in those houses can be a source of their own, which is one reason owners of historic homes near Chautauqua or the older blocks around downtown sometimes choose to replace a very old faucet rather than rebuild it.

Boulder customers are responsible for the area between their meter pit and the street, and everything inside the house is theirs as well. Larger plumbing work goes through the city's Planning and Development Services, and the plumber can tell you whether your job needs a permit.

Cost drivers

• Type of fix. A cartridge, washer or O-ring swap versus a new faucet.
• Parts for older fixtures. Vintage or specialty faucets can take time to match or may not be serviceable.
• Under-sink condition. Corroded stops or old supply tubes are often replaced while the water is off.
• Access. Pedestal sinks, farmhouse sinks and tight vanities slow the work.

What to expect on the call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who serves Boulder. Tell them which fixture is leaking, how old you think it is and whether the stop valves under the sink still work. If you rent near campus, check with your landlord first so the right person authorizes the repair.