Spartan Plumbing, a local plumbing company serving Northglenn and surrounding communities, is urging homeowners to secure their exposed waterlines following a recent surge in backflow valve thefts across the Denver metro area. The company was featured in a Denver7 news segment discussing the impact of these thefts, which have left property owners facing thousands of dollars in damage and wasted water.
The thefts have become a growing concern after Northglenn police warned residents to lock up their service lines, reporting multiple incidents this year. Criminals are targeting exposed backflow valves because their brass and copper components can be quickly cut away with electric saws and sold for scrap, according to Wayne Lehmann, Master Plumber at Spartan Plumbing. When a valve is stolen, it leaves behind an open, pressurized water line that can create a shooting geyser, flooding yards and wasting thousands of gallons of water before the main supply is shut off.
“A stolen backflow valve is not just a missing piece of hardware,” said Lehmann. “It creates an immediate plumbing emergency that can flood a property, disrupt water service to the home, and leave the homeowner responsible for a sudden, expensive repair.”
Homeowners searching for a plumber in Northglenn, CO, are increasingly looking for ways to secure their systems before a theft occurs. Spartan Plumbing advises residents to follow local police recommendations, which include placing backflow preventers in well-lit, visible areas and using protective enclosures or locks designed to deter tampering. The company also emphasizes that homeowners should know exactly where their main water shut-off valve is located so they can stop the flow of water immediately if their backflow device is cut.
The theft trend is not limited to Northglenn. Law enforcement agencies across the Denver metro area have issued similar warnings about suspects entering residential neighborhoods to steal sprinkler system backflow prevention valves. For residents who have already been targeted, Spartan Plumbing says the repair process requires more than simply attaching a new valve. The company’s emergency plumbing team must assess the damage to the remaining pipes, ensure the new installation meets local codes, and properly test the system to confirm that the home’s drinking water remains protected from contamination.
“When a thief cuts a line, they do not care about the damage they leave behind,” said Sammy Carr, co-owner of Spartan Plumbing. “Wayne and our team’s priority is getting the water shut off, stabilizing the property, and installing a replacement system that is secure and fully compliant with local safety standards.”
Spartan Plumbing, a Veteran Owned and Family Owned business, provides emergency plumbing, leak detection, and water line repair throughout Northglenn, Arvada, Denver, and the broader Front Range. The company encourages Northglenn residents to inspect their outdoor plumbing regularly, consider installing protective cages over exposed valves, and contact a licensed plumber immediately if they discover a leak, a drop in water pressure, or a missing backflow device.
The full Denver7 segment discussing the impact of backflow valve thefts can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhLpAovg_-o. For more information on securing outdoor plumbing or to request emergency repair service, homeowners can visit https://www.spartanplumber.com/ or call 303-529-8501.
