At roughly 5,280 feet, altitude affects gas appliances: water heaters and furnaces are generally rated or adjusted for high elevation. Many older Denver neighborhoods have basements, mature trees and clay sewer laterals, making root intrusion a familiar problem.
Housing & construction
Older neighborhoods with basements and brick bungalows, plus newer suburban construction across the metro.
Plumbing services in Denver
Pipe Repair in Denver
Exterior-wall plumbing
Denver pipe repair →
Sewer Line Repair in Denver
Clay laterals
Denver sewer line repair →
Water Heater Replacement & Installation in Denver
High-altitude models
Denver water heater replacement & installation →Also common in Denver: outdoor plumbing & hose bibs.
What makes Denver plumbing different
Rapid temperature drops
Cold fronts can drop temperatures dramatically in hours. Preparing pipes before winter matters more than reacting to forecasts.
Altitude
Gas water heaters need to be specified and installed for high-altitude operation.
Expansive soils
Parts of the Front Range have bentonite clay soils that swell when wet, stressing foundations and pipes.
Older sewer laterals
Older neighborhoods often have clay sewer pipe and mature trees, a common recipe for root intrusion.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for Denver
- FallDisconnect hoses, shut off and drain non-frost-free spigots, and blow out irrigation systems before the first freeze.
- WinterKeep garage doors closed in cold snaps and open cabinets on exterior walls.
- SpringCheck sillcocks for leaks when you first turn on the hose.
Plumbing emergency in Denver?
- Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
- Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Denver plumbing questions
Why did my outdoor faucet leak in spring?
A frost-free sillcock that froze with a hose attached may have split inside the wall. The leak appears when the faucet is turned on in spring.
Do Denver water heaters need special settings for altitude?
Gas water heaters are typically derated for altitude so they burn correctly. Installers should follow the manufacturer's high-altitude guidance.
When should I winterize outdoor plumbing in Denver?
Before the first hard freeze, which can come early in fall. Disconnect hoses, drain spigots that are not frost-free, and blow out irrigation lines.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around Denver, including Aurora, Lakewood, Englewood, Arvada, Westminster, Littleton, Wheat Ridge, Centennial.
