Leak Detection in Boulder, CO

What a leak looks like before you see water

• Usage on your City of Boulder Utilities bill rising while your habits stay the same
• The meter's flow indicator moving with every fixture closed
• A faint sound of running water in a wall after everyone is asleep
• Warped hardwood or loose tile near a bathroom or kitchen
• Mildew in a closet that backs up to a shower
• A water heater that fires up when no one has used hot water

Boulder specifics

The City of Boulder runs its own water system, drawing from Barker Reservoir, North Boulder Creek, Carter Lake and Boulder Reservoir. Under city code, customers are responsible for the area between their meter pit and the street, and only city personnel may open meter pits. If you suspect a leak right at the pit, call the city rather than opening it yourself; for after-hours emergencies that need the water shut off, the city asks customers to call 303-441-3200.

The city's service line inventory found no lead service lines, and owners of homes built before 1956 are encouraged to check their pipe material on the city's online map. That rules out one worry, but it says nothing about the age of the pipes inside your walls. Older homes near downtown and the university can still have original fittings and valves that have had decades to wear.

Boulder's permit rules are helpful here. City Planning & Development Services treats repairing a leak as minor work that is exempt from a permit, but replacing concealed supply or drain piping counts as new work and needs one. So finding a single bad fitting may be a simple fix, while rerouting a line in a wall is a permitted job.

What affects the price

• How many zones need testing before the leak is isolated
• Whether it sits in a wall, a floor, a crawl space or the yard
• Equipment needed, such as listening gear or thermal imaging
• Whether the fix is a simple repair or new concealed piping that needs a permit

What to expect on the call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who serves Boulder. Have your recent usage handy, and mention whether you have seen the meter move. The plumber may ask about the age of your house and whether you have a sprinkler system, since irrigation lines and older interior piping are two common places to start.