Larimer County · Fort Collins metro
Plumbing Services in Fort Collins, CO
Frozen PipesNewer Homes
Fort Collins takes its water from the Cache la Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, both fed mostly by spring snowmelt. Cold winters, expansive soils on the plains and newer subdivisions alongside older homes near Old Town shape local plumbing.
Fort Collins plumbing at a glance
The most common plumbing calls in Fort Collins, CO are frozen pipe repair, backflow testing and sewer line repair. The median home was built in 1992, and 31% of homes predate 1980.
- Median home built
- 1992
- Built before 1980
- 31%
- Owner-occupied
- 51%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Regular hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- Local
The plumbing calls that come up most in Fort Collins
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Below-zero cold snaps freeze pipes in exterior walls, garages and crawlspaces.
- Backflow Testing
Lawn irrigation systems need testable backflow assemblies.
- Sewer Line Repair
Shifting soils and roots crack older clay laterals near Old Town.
Emergency plumbing in Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins homes, based on local conditions.
Frozen pipe risk in Fort Collins
Regular hard freezes · median home built 1992
Where Fort Collins's water comes from
Fort Collins Utilities' water comes from two sources, the Cache la Poudre River and Colorado-Big Thompson water from Horsetooth Reservoir, with about 80% of supply typically coming from snowpack melt between April and July. [1]
Polybutylene-era homes in Fort Collins
The median home in Fort Collins was built in 1992, and 31% 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 Fort Collins homes
Every plumbing service in Fort Collins
Services marked “Fort Collins guide” have a page on local rules and conditions; the rest link to the full service guide, which applies here too.
- Backflow Testing
- Bathroom Remodel Plumbing
- Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Emergency Plumber
- Faucet Repair and Replacement
- Frozen Pipe Repair
- Garbage Disposal Repair and Installation
- Gas Line Installation and Repair
- Kitchen Remodel Plumbing
- Leak Detection
- Outdoor Faucet and Hose Bib Repair
- Pipe Repair
- Repiping
- Sewer Backup
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Sewer Line Repair
- Sewer Line Replacement
- Shower & Bathtub Plumbing
- Slab Leak Repair
- Sump Pump Repair and Installation
- Tankless Water Heaters
- Toilet Installation
- Toilet Repair
- Trenchless Sewer Repair
- Water Filtration Systems
- Water Heater Repair
- Water Heater Replacement
- Water Line Repair
- Water Pressure Problems
- Water Softener Installation
- Well Pump Repair
Fort Collins plumbing questions
Where does Fort Collins water come from?
The Cache la Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, mostly from spring snowmelt.
How much of Fort Collins' water is snowmelt?
About 80% typically comes from snowpack melting between April and July.
When should Fort Collins sprinklers be winterized?
Before the first hard freeze, by blowing out lines and protecting the backflow assembly.
How do expansive soils affect Fort Collins plumbing?
Clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry can shift foundations and the pipes that pass through them. Sewer laterals can sag or separate at joints, and slab plumbing can be stressed; a camera inspection before buying an older home shows whether the line has bellies or cracks.
Sources (2)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Fort Collins Utilities, Water 101 · checked 2026-10-04