Water damage help for Laramie homes

High plains winters and frozen pipes

Laramie sits at about 7,165 feet on the Laramie Plains, between the Laramie Range to the east and the Medicine Bow Mountains to the west. Long, cold winters and strong wind make frozen supply lines one of the most common sources of indoor water damage here. Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and unheated porches are most exposed, and a split pipe often leaks only once it thaws.

If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve, switch off power to wet areas only if you can reach the panel safely, and keep out of rooms where water is near outlets or appliances. Note which rooms are wet and when you first saw the water. See water removal for what to describe on the call.

Older homes near downtown and the university

Many houses in the neighborhoods around downtown Laramie and the University of Wyoming campus are older homes with basements and aging supply and drain lines, while student rentals and apartments put several households under one roof. A leak in one unit can soak ceilings and walls in another, so tell the landlord or property manager and describe every affected unit on the call.

Basement water can also come from snowmelt and spring runoff pooling against a foundation. Read the basement water removal page before you call, and do not step into standing basement water near a furnace, water heater or electrical panel.

Where Laramie's water comes from

According to the City of Laramie, roughly half of the city's water comes from the Big Laramie River and half from wellfields in the Casper Aquifer, which the City protects through its Casper Aquifer Protection Plan. Water mains and the public side of the system are City matters. A leak inside your home or on your own plumbing is a private-property matter, and that is where this referral line can help with water removal and drying.

Drying in a dry climate

Laramie's air is often very dry, but wet drywall, insulation, subfloor and framing still hold moisture well after surfaces look dry. Ask the answering business how moisture will be measured, how long drying is expected to take for your property, how the work will be recorded for your insurer, and what the scope and charges will be before you agree to any work. See water mitigation and drying and mold remediation if growth is already visible. Repairs and rebuilding are separate from this referral line.

Laramie questions

Laramie is not in Laramie County. Is it still covered?

Yes. Despite the name, the city of Laramie is in Albany County. ZIP codes 82070 and 82072 are in the coverage record checked for this page. A listed ZIP is not a guaranteed appointment; the answering business confirms location, availability and scope.

Does my homeowners policy cover a burst pipe?

That depends on your policy and the cause. Flooding from outside is commonly excluded from standard policies. Contact your insurer before work begins and keep photographs if it is safe to take them.

I rent near campus. Who should I call first?

Tell your landlord or property manager right away. They usually decide who performs water removal and drying in a rental unit.