If a pipe bursts in a Brighton home, close the main valve immediately and keep away from wet outlets. A plumber can fix the break on the homeowner side and check the rest of the line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Brighton.
The City of Brighton delivers water across a 22-square-mile service area. The city is responsible for lines in the right-of-way up to and including the meter; the homeowner is responsible from the hand valve on the house side of the meter, including that valve, to the house. The city says plainly it can't repair a break or clog on the homeowner side. Some newer subdivisions and nearby unincorporated areas with Brighton addresses are on other districts, so check your bill.
What to do now
- Close the main valve inside the house; if you can't, the hand valve at the meter is the owner's valve.
- Turn off breakers to wet outlets and appliances.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines.
- Switch an electric water heater off, or set a gas unit to pilot.
- If water is coming up on the city side of the meter, call Brighton's after-hours emergency line at 303-806-5970 (303-655-2068 during business hours).
- Photograph the damage before cleaning up.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water through a ceiling after a deep freeze | Frozen line in an attic or outside wall split |
| Wet yard between the meter and house | Leak on the homeowner's service line |
| Meter dial turning with taps off | A hidden leak past the meter |
| No water at one fixture only | That branch is frozen and may be cracked |
| Water near the water heater | Cracked supply line or fitting |
Cost factors
- How much finished wall or ceiling must be opened
- Pipe material and the fittings needed
- Number of breaks on the frozen run
- Digging for a yard-line leak
- Permits through Brighton's OpenGov system, when required
- Time of day
One Brighton rule helps after a freeze: if the cold also cracked the water heater, the city allows an emergency replacement first, with the permit applied for by the next business day. Homes with a private well tied into the house plumbing must have a backflow assembly, which a plumber can check while on site. Brighton sits out on the open plains, where wind drives cold air into garages and crawl spaces, so lines along north and west walls deserve insulation once the break is fixed.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Brighton
Who pays to fix a leak between the meter pit and the house?
What should I do about the water heater after a pipe breaks?
How do I stop the water in a home on a private well?
How does a plumber find a break hidden in a wall or floor?
More plumbing services in Brighton
Burst Pipe Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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