Commercial Plumbing in Boulder, CO

Signs your Boulder building needs a plumber

• A hang tag from the city about an overdue backflow test
• Drains in a restaurant, cafe or lab sink that are slow by the end of the day
• Sewer smells near a floor drain, mop sink or cleanout
• Restroom fixtures that run or leak at the base
• Water heaters that can't keep up with demand
• Damp spots near the meter pit or along the line to the building

How Boulder's system works for businesses

Boulder draws from Barker Reservoir, North Boulder Creek, Carter Lake and Boulder Reservoir, depending on the season, and treats water at the Betasso and 63rd Street plants. It uses chlorine rather than chloramine and runs a corrosion control program. Wastewater goes to the Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility, which returns treated water to Boulder Creek. For an after-hours emergency that needs the water off, the city takes calls at 303-441-3200.

Backflow enforcement here is strict. Property owners have to install, test and maintain backflow assemblies, and each one must pass a test every calendar year by an ABPA- or ASSE-certified tester who submits results to the city's online portal. Properties that don't comply get a hang tag and can have water service shut off, which is a real risk for a restaurant or clinic. City code makes customers responsible for upkeep of the area between their meter pit and the street, and only city staff may open meter pits.

Planning and Development Services, at 1101 Arapahoe Ave., treats plumbing and mechanical work, including water heaters, as single-trade permits. Clearing a stoppage, fixing a leak or swapping a toilet without moving pipes is exempt, but replacing concealed drain or supply piping counts as new work and needs a permit. The city's service line inventory found no lead lines.

Factors that move the price

• The type of space: a restaurant kitchen, lab or medical office has more specialized fixtures than an office
• Whether concealed piping has to be opened and replaced, which triggers a permit
• Backflow repairs needed before a passing test can be filed
• Off-hours scheduling around customers or classes
• How easy it is to reach the meter pit, cleanouts and mechanical rooms

Calling for commercial service

When you call, you're connected with an independent local plumber who works on commercial properties in Boulder. Mention the business type, the affected fixtures and any backflow deadline you're facing. Tenants should check the lease to see who authorizes and pays for repairs.