Plumbing Inspection in Golden, CO

When to schedule one

• You are under contract on a home and want a plumber's opinion
• The house is older and the supply pipe has never been replaced
• Faucets and the water heater show scale at certain times of year
• A basement drain is slow or smells after heavy use
• You are about to remodel and want to know what is in the walls

Golden conditions

Golden is a historic foothills city built along Clear Creek between the Table Mountains and Lookout Mountain. About 56% of homes in the 80401 ZIP code were built before 1980, so original galvanized lines, cast iron drains and older sewer laterals can turn up, especially near downtown.

The City of Golden draws its water from Clear Creek and says hardness typically runs from about 40 to 170 ppm, shifting with creek levels through the year. That means scale on fixtures and in the water heater can come and go, and a plumber may suggest flushing the tank more often. The city chlorinates at about 1 mg/L and does not add fluoride. Its lead sampling found no lead above the federal action level, but the city notes that home plumbing may still contain lead, which is one more reason to have a plumber identify pipe and solder in an older house.

Homes inside city limits are on city water, and few rely on wells. Addresses with a Golden mailing ZIP outside city limits may have a different provider.

What drives the cost

• The size of the house and number of bathrooms
• Whether a sewer camera run is part of the visit
• Steep lots, tight crawl spaces or finished basements
• Whether you want a written report

After the call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who covers Golden. Have the address, approximate year built and any deadline ready. If the inspection turns up work, Golden's Building Division issues plumbing and water heater permits over the counter by email, usually within one or two business days. Backflow assemblies must be tested by a certified cross-connection control technician who files results with the city. For a water or sewer emergency, the city's 24-hour line is 303-384-8158. If you ever smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside.