El Paso County · Colorado Springs metro
Plumbing help in Colorado Springs, CO
Frozen PipesNewer Homes
Colorado Springs pipes in mountain snowmelt from the Continental Divide. Most homes are newer, from the 1980s on, but high-altitude freeze-thaw cycles and expansive soils in parts of the area still keep plumbers busy.
- Median home built
- 1987
- Built before 1980
- 39%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Regular hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- IPC
Common repairs in Colorado Springs homes
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Rapid freeze-thaw swings and cold snaps catch exposed pipes and sprinkler lines.
- Water Heater Replacement
Homes from the 1980s–2000s growth decades are on aging water heaters.
- Backflow Testing
Irrigation systems are common, and their backflow devices need winterizing and testing.
Emergency plumbing in Colorado Springs
Call (833) 878-1592Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Colorado Springs homes, based on local conditions.
Frozen pipe risk in Colorado Springs
Regular hard freezes · median home built 1987
Which plumbing rules apply in Colorado Springs
Plumbing in Colorado Springs follows Colorado's statewide plumbing and fuel gas codes, based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code, and plumbers are licensed by the State Plumbing Board. [2]
Where Colorado Springs's water comes from
Most Colorado Springs Utilities water is high-country snowmelt from along the Continental Divide, which travels a long way through tunnels and pipelines to reach the city. [1]
Polybutylene-era homes in Colorado Springs
The median home in Colorado Springs was built in 1987, and 39% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Plumbing services for Colorado Springs homes
Colorado Springs plumbing questions
Where does Colorado Springs get its water?
Mostly from snowmelt along the Continental Divide, piped long distances to local reservoirs and treatment plants.
When should I winterize sprinklers in Colorado Springs?
Before the first hard freeze, usually in fall. Blow out the lines, and drain or protect the backflow device.
Why do outdoor faucets split in Colorado Springs?
Frost-free sillcocks only drain when the hose is disconnected. Left attached through a freeze, the water trapped inside freezes and splits the tube, and the leak often shows up inside the wall in spring.
Which plumbing code applies in Colorado Springs?
Colorado's statewide plumbing and fuel gas codes, based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Colorado Springs Utilities, Get the facts: our water supply · checked 2026-10-01
- International Code Council, Colorado adopts the latest IPC and IFGC · checked 2026-10-01