When a pipe bursts in an Idaho Springs home, close the main valve and turn off power near the water. A plumber can repair the break and check the older plumbing around it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Idaho Springs.
Idaho Springs conditions
Idaho Springs is the largest community in Clear Creek County, founded during the 1859 Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Its historic downtown runs along Miner Street, with tourist businesses at the east end and mostly residential streets on the west end. Sitting in a canyon along I-70, the town gets cold air settling in on winter nights, and many homes are old enough to carry patched and mixed plumbing. Lines in crawl spaces, exterior walls and under porches take the worst of it.
The City of Idaho Springs runs its own water system, drawing surface water from Devils Canyon and Chicago Creek. For a leak near the street or meter, call the City at 303-567-4421. The City's published information doesn't spell out where its part of the service line ends, so check with the City before anyone digs. Breaks inside the house are a private repair. The City's water report notes it's responsible for removing lead pipes it controls; it doesn't include a service line inventory, so if an old yard line is exposed during a repair, ask the City about it.
Comparing repair approaches
| What's found | Usual repair | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A clean split in sound pipe | Cut out and splice | Fast and lasting |
| Break beside old corroded pipe | Replace a longer run | Fittings need solid pipe |
| Line under a porch or in an outside wall | Reroute or insulate | Stops the next freeze |
| Several breaks in old interior piping | Replace the section, with plans if required | Interior plumbing changes need plans here |
Signs of a burst
- Water pouring from a crawl space or basement ceiling
- A stain spreading on a ceiling or wall
- Pressure dropping everywhere at once
- Rushing water heard with taps closed
Timing and permits
Most canyon bursts show up during the thaw after a long cold stretch. A simple patch may not need paperwork, but the City requires plumbing plans for changes to interior plumbing, covering water piping along with drains and vents, so replacing a run is a bigger step. Permits are submitted by email to the City Clerk or in person at City Hall, 1711 Miner Street, and SAFEbuilt reviews plans and does inspections (inspection line 303-450-8748, by 3 p.m. the day before). If the freeze also took out the water heater, water heaters are One-Stop permits here.
Burst Pipe Repair questions in Idaho Springs
Water is bubbling up near the street or meter. Who do I call?
Does a burst pipe repair need a permit?
Does one burst mean the whole house needs new pipe?
What should I do about the water heater after a pipe breaks?
More plumbing services in Idaho Springs
Burst Pipe Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: