Boulder homes drain through a private sewer service line into the City of Boulder's collection system, which carries wastewater to the city's Water Resource Recovery Facility. If that private line breaks, separates or fills with roots, repairing it is plumbing work. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Boulder.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
- Gurgling from a floor drain when an upstairs toilet is flushed
- A sewage smell in the basement or crawl space that comes and goes
- Water backing up in the lowest shower or tub
- Several fixtures draining slowly on the same day
- Repeat stoppages that a hardware store auger only fixes briefly
How sewer works in Boulder
City of Boulder Utilities collects wastewater and treats it at the Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility, which returns cleaned water to Boulder Creek. For sewer problems in the public system, including after hours, the city lists 303-441-3200. A backup that starts inside the house and stays on your side of the main is generally a job for a plumber.
Boulder's permit rules draw a useful line. The city's Planning and Development Services says minor work like clearing a drain stoppage or fixing a leak is exempt from a permit, but replacing concealed drain piping counts as new work and needs one. That means a simple cleaning visit is usually quick on paper, while digging up and replacing a section of sewer pipe involves a permit and an inspection.
The city encourages owners of homes built before 1956 to verify their water service pipe material, a sign that older houses are very much part of Boulder's mix. Older laterals were commonly clay or cast iron, and where big shade trees grow near the pipe route, roots go after the moisture escaping from loose joints.
Pieces of the price
- Length of the damaged run and how deep it's buried
- Surface on top: lawn, flagstone, a driveway or a stone wall
- Whether a liner can be used or the pipe has to be dug out
- A City of Boulder permit when concealed drain pipe is replaced
- Extra access work if there's no outdoor cleanout
Once you're connected
An independent local plumber who serves Boulder will ask what's backing up, how often, and whether anyone has cleared the line recently. Expect the visit to start with clearing the blockage so the house is usable, followed by a camera run to locate the defect. You'll get repair options after the plumber has seen the pipe, not before.
Sewer Line Repair questions in Boulder
Should I call the sewer utility or a plumber first?
Do I need a permit to repair a sewer line here?
Why do tree roots keep coming back in my sewer line?
What does a sewage smell in the yard or basement usually mean?
More plumbing services in Boulder
Sewer Line Repair nearby
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