Leak Detection in Morrison, CO

What a leak looks like before you see it

• Higher usage on your Town of Morrison water bill
• The meter moving with every fixture and appliance off
• Stains on plaster or stone walls near a bathroom
• A musty smell in a basement or crawl space
• Rust-colored drips on old fittings
• A valve that will not shut the water off completely

Local conditions in Morrison

Morrison is a tiny historic foothills town about 20 miles southwest of Denver, known for its stone buildings and its neighbor, Red Rocks. The town has about 151 housing units, the median home was built in 1954, and about 91% were built before 1980. In homes that age, leaks tend to be slow seeps from original shutoff valves, older supply fittings and joints that have been reworked over the decades. Plaster and stone walls make finding the exact spot before opening anything even more important.

Morrison runs its own water system rather than buying from Denver Water. Public Works draws water from Bear Creek and treats it at the town's membrane filtration plant, with two off-stream reservoirs for raw water storage, and it maintains the town's water and sewer service. ZIP 80465 reaches well beyond town limits, and providers outside town were not verified, so check your bill if you live outside the town itself. For water problems near the meter or in the street, contact Town Hall at 303-697-8749.

Foothill winters bring hard freezes, and older homes often have pipes in exterior walls or crawl spaces that are vulnerable. A crack from a cold snap may not drip until the weather warms.

What affects the cost

• How many sections need testing before the leak is isolated
• Access through plaster, stone or tight crawl spaces
• Whether a spot repair holds or older pipe needs a longer replacement
• Any permit through the Town of Morrison Building Department

When you call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who covers Morrison. Mention your home's age, whether any piping has been replaced, whether the meter moves with everything off and where you have seen moisture. In a house this old, the plumber may also recommend looking at the condition of the rest of the supply piping once the leak is fixed.