In Englewood, a plumbing inspection is a plumber's check of the water service line, supply and drain piping, shutoffs, fixtures and water heater, with a sewer camera run on request. Englewood has some of the oldest housing in the south metro, so original pipe often shapes the findings. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Englewood.
Englewood's housing and water system
Census survey data puts Englewood's median home at 1964, with about two-thirds built before 1980, and the northwest part of the city has housing from the 1910s. That is the age range where galvanized supply lines, cast iron stacks, clay sewer laterals and lead service lines can come up.
Englewood runs its own water utility, independent of Denver Water, drawing from the South Platte River and treating it at the Allen plant. The city owns the service line from the main to the curb stop, and the owner owns it from the curb stop into the house. Through its Lead Reduction Program, Englewood Utilities keeps a public service line inventory and replaces lead and older galvanized service lines with copper zone by zone. Galvanized lines on homes built after 1960 are excluded, and owners who opt out may end up responsible for replacing a customer-owned lead line themselves.
Sewer goes to South Platte Renew, which Englewood owns jointly with Littleton. Some Englewood-area addresses are in other sanitation districts, and the city's district lookup shows which.
Choosing a scope
| Scope | Covers | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection with sewer camera | Service line entry, supply and drain piping, water heater, fixtures, video of the lateral | Most pre-1980 Englewood homes |
| Walk-through without camera | Everything above except the sewer video | Newer homes or recently replaced laterals |
| Pre-remodel review | Pipe condition in walls you plan to open | Kitchen and bath projects |
Signs that call for a closer look
- Weak flow at several fixtures, which can mean galvanized pipe narrowing inside
- Rust-colored water after the house sits unused
- Sewer odor in the basement or a slow main drain
- Patched plaster below bathrooms
- A main shutoff that is crusted over or will not turn
Mention any of these when you call so the plumber can plan extra time for the parts of the house that worry you most.
Seasonal and timing notes
Book the inspection early in your contract period so there is time to price repairs. Older homes often have hose bibs that are not frost-proof, so a fall visit is a good chance to check them before hard freezes. Water heater replacement and water or drain line alterations need a City of Englewood building permit; a direct toilet or lavatory swap does not.
Plumbing Inspection questions in Englewood
How can I find out what the water service line is made of?
Which stretch of the water service line belongs to the homeowner?
What problems are typical in a house built before 1980?
Does the inspection cover gas piping, and what if I smell gas?
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