Plumbing repair · Lakewood, Colorado
Plumbing repair in Lakewood, CO
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Lakewood's homes (22%) was built 1970 to 1979[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Lakewood, in Jefferson County — ZIPs 80228, 80227, 80226, 80215, 80214, 80232, counts 156,927 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
Request helpDo you need an emergency plumber?
Answer a few questions to see how fast you need help.
The Lakewood plumbing picture in brief
- Population (2025 est.)
- 156,927[2]+0.6% since 2020
- County
- Jefferson[2]
- Land area
- 43.5 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1970 to 1979[1]22% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 56%[1]the 3rd-highest share of the 15 Denver-area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 26%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 11%[1]the 4th-lowest share of the 15 Denver-area suburbs we cover
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 10[4]8 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 200[5]23 in the last 10 years; 110 paid
- Homes on utility gas heat
- 71%[1]gas piping work usually needs a permit and a licensed installer
What the local data means for plumbing in Lakewood
Lakewood is one of the most established suburbs tracked here — 156,927 people (2025 estimate), up just 0.6% since 2020[2]. The city spans 43.5 square miles at 3,608 residents per square mile (the 6th densest) and sits entirely in Jefferson County, served by ZIP codes 80228, 80227, 80226, 80215, 80214, 80232[3].
With 11% of homes built since 2010 and 56% before 1980[1], Lakewood's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
Mail to Lakewood goes through 6 ZIP codes — 80228 (24% of the city's land), 80227 (19% of the city's land), 80226 (19% of the city's land), 80215 (12% of the city's land), 80214 (8% of the city's land), 80232 (8% of the city's land)[6].
The closest tracked neighbours are Golden (5.8 mi NW), Englewood (7.5 mi SE) and Littleton (9.1 mi SE)[3].
56% of Lakewood's 73,547 housing units predate 1980 and 11% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the 3rd-highest pre-1980 share of the 15 Denver-area suburbs we cover; nearby, Golden (43%), Englewood (68%), and Littleton (46%) predate 1980. Houses that old can still have galvanized supply pipe or cast-iron drains — especially the 16% built before 1960.
The biggest single slice — 22% — was built 1970 to 1979, and the median home dates to 1977[1]. Neighbours from the same era tend to hit the same plumbing problems at the same time.
Water from the sky is plumbing work too: 10 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 200 flood-insurance claims across Lakewood's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
71% of homes heat with utility gas, and 42% of households rent[1]. Tenants: report plumbing failures to the landlord in writing.
Out of the 15 suburbs on this site, Lakewood has the 3rd-highest pre-1980 housing share (56%)[1], the 3rd-oldest housing (by median year built) (1977)[1], and the 3rd-highest renter share (42%)[1].
Lakewood storm calendar
Within 10 miles of Lakewood, 2016–2025: 8 flash-flood reports and 2 flood or heavy-rain reports[4]. Peak: 100% in June and July. Busiest year 2019 (3); 5 of 10 years had none. Busiest month July 2019 (3). Latest: flood or heavy-rain report, Jun 25, 2025, 8.0 mi out.
| Month | Flash flood | Flood & heavy rain | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Jul | 5 | – | 5 |
Finding plumbing help around Lakewood
Plumbing repair contractors taking requests around Lakewood cover ZIP codes 80228, 80227, 80226, 80215, 80214, 80232.
Before you pick up the phone: before the plumber arrives
Lakewood by the numbers
| Measure | Lakewood | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built before 1960 | 16.1% | 7.6% | 9 pts higher |
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 10 | 6 | 4 more |
| Built before 1980 | 56% | 37% | 19 pts higher |
| Built 2010 or later | 11% | 15% | 4 pts lower |
| Renter-occupied | 42% | 37% | 5 pts higher |
| Median year built | 1977 | 1987 | 10 years older |
| Utility-gas heat | 71% | 71% | same as median |
Sorted by largest difference. Each median is the middle value across the covered Denver-area suburbs, from the same sources.
| City | Flood reports | NFIP claims |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 10 | 200 |
| Golden 5.8 mi | 3 | 46 |
| Englewood 7.5 mi | 11 | 26 |
| Littleton 9.1 mi | 4 | 35 |
| Arvada 9.5 mi | 12 | 103 |
| Westminster 12.9 mi | 14 | 45 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80228 | 9 | $19,836 | 2015 (2) |
| 80227 | 10 | $7,972 | 2011 (2) |
| 80226 | 36 | $95,593 | 1998 (12) |
| 80215 | 42 | $200,663 | 1984 (7) |
| 80214 | 97 | $388,035 | 1984 (10) |
| 80232 | 6 | $11,256 | 1978 (1) |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 2025 | Flood | 8.0 mi |
| Jun 4, 2025 | Heavy Rain | 7.9 mi |
| Jul 20, 2024 | Flash Flood | 8.8 mi |
| Jun 29, 2023 | Flash Flood | 6.3 mi |
| Jun 29, 2023 | Flash Flood | 6.3 mi |
| Jun 29, 2023 | Flash Flood | 7.7 mi |
| Jul 20, 2019 | Flash Flood | 7.8 mi |
| Jul 20, 2019 | Flash Flood | 2.5 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 1,373 | 1.9% | ±274 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 6,841 | 9.3% | ±566 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 5,208 | 7.1% | ±575 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 7,371 | 10.0% | ±633 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 11,703 | 15.9% | ±846 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 15,887 | 21.6% | ±943 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 13,300 | 18.1% | ±679 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 8,256 | 11.2% | ±679 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 1,644 | 2.2% | ±292 |
| 1939 or earlier | 1,964 | 2.7% | ±478 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 73,547 |
| Detached single-family | 33,906 (46%) |
| Occupied homes | 69,799 |
| Owner-occupied | 40,552 (58%) |
| Renter-occupied | 29,247 (42%) |
| Median home value | $574,400 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas | 49,665 | 71.2% | ±1,043 |
| Electricity | 18,000 | 25.8% | ±1,014 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 740 | 1.1% | ±202 |
| No fuel used | 585 | 0.8% | ±227 |
| Other fuel | 489 | 0.7% | ±218 |
| Solar energy | 193 | 0.3% | ±76 |
| Wood | 61 | 0.1% | ±36 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 48 | 0.1% | ±46 |
| Coal or coke | 18 | 0.0% | ±30 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Lakewood's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 80228 | 24% | 92% |
| 80227 | 19% | 77% |
| 80226 | 19% | 99% |
| 80215 | 12% | 93% |
| 80214 | 8% | 75% |
| 80232 | 8% | 86% |
plumbing questions from Lakewood homeowners
Are Lakewood homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 16% were built before 1960 and 56% before 1980[1].
Which ZIP codes are covered in Lakewood?
80228, 80227, 80226, 80215, 80214, and 80232[6], in Jefferson County. Nearby suburbs with their own pages: Golden (5.8 mi), Englewood (7.5 mi), and Littleton (9.1 mi)[3].
I rent in Lakewood. Who arranges the repair?
42% of occupied Lakewood homes are rented[1], the 3rd-highest share of the 15 Denver-area suburbs we cover. Tell your landlord or property manager in writing first; your lease says who arranges repairs.
Sources
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.