A city of many building ages
Englewood grew outward from South Broadway. Close to the old downtown, you find early-1900s houses and brick bungalows, many with basements and plumbing that has been replaced piece by piece. Much of the rest of the city filled in after World War II with compact brick and frame ranch houses, some with basements and many on crawlspaces. Newer apartments cluster near the light rail stations, and South Broadway and Hampden Avenue are lined with commercial buildings of every era.
Older homes may still have sections of galvanized steel pipe, which rusts from the inside and fails at joints. Some have had additions with plumbing tied into old lines. Newer apartment buildings stack kitchens and baths, so leaks travel downward through units. Commercial buildings often have apartments or offices above shops, and flat roofs that leak during spring hail and summer storms.
Building type and typical water trouble
| Building | Common sources | Where water ends up |
|---|---|---|
| Early-1900s house or bungalow | Old galvanized lines, cast-iron drains, basement seepage | Basement walls and floor |
| Postwar ranch on a crawlspace | Supply lines under the house, frozen pipes at foundation vents | Crawlspace soil, subfloor, insulation |
| Ranch with a finished basement | Sump pump failure, washer hoses, water heater | Basement carpet and drywall |
| Mid-rise apartment | Toilets, dishwashers, supply lines in stacked units | Ceilings of the units below |
| Broadway storefront with units above | Upstairs bathrooms, flat roof, old drains | Ceiling grid, stock and displays |
Local details that matter
- Utility
- Englewood runs its own water utility for most addresses in the city. Neighboring towns are served by other providers.
- Weather
- Hail and heavy thunderstorms in late spring and summer; sudden cold snaps in winter that freeze pipes near outside walls.
- Permits
- Major plumbing and rebuilding work in the city usually goes through the City of Englewood's building division.
- Floodplain
- Areas near the South Platte River and Little Dry Creek have their own flood considerations, separate from plumbing leaks.
Five things every Englewood household can do
- Find, label and test the main water shutoff, and show everyone in the home how to close it.
- Learn whether your home has a basement, a crawlspace or a slab, and where the plumbing runs.
- Replace rubber washer hoses and old toilet supply lines with braided ones.
- Keep heat on and cabinet doors open on exterior walls during deep cold.
- Read your policy for water backup, flood and sudden-versus-gradual language before you need it.
Common questions
How do I know if my pipes are galvanized?
Galvanized pipe is dull gray steel with threaded joints. A magnet sticks to it, unlike copper or plastic. A plumber can tell you how much is left and whether to replace it.
General information for Englewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.