Hydro Jetting in Conifer, CO

Can my Conifer home's drain line be jetted if it isn't on sewer?

Usually, yes, within limits. Jefferson County describes mountain dwellers as typically relying on private wells and private onsite wastewater systems, and Conifer fits that pattern; only the Village at Conifer commercial area gets wastewater service from Aspen Park Metropolitan District. So for most homes, the drain line runs from the house to a tank on the property. A plumber can jet the house drain and that run at a moderate pressure to clear grease, soap scum and roots. What jetting can't do is fix a tank that needs pumping or a drainfield that's saturated, and pushing extra water toward either makes things worse.

How do I know whether it's the pipe or the onsite system?

The pattern tells you a lot. If only the kitchen or one bathroom is slow while other drains work, the clog is probably in that branch of the house drain, and jetting or a cable will help. If every drain in the house slows at once, or the ground over the tank or drainfield is soggy or smells, the onsite system is the more likely cause. A good plumber will ask when the tank was last serviced and may run a camera down the line before deciding to jet.

Does jetting use a lot of my well water?

It uses a steady flow for the length of the job. On a home with its own well, that draw comes from your pump and pressure tank, so let the plumber know about your well's output. Jefferson County also notes that mountain ground water can carry minerals that build up in fixtures, and that the county recommends hardness, iron and manganese testing when fixtures show buildup; similar deposits can coat the inside of a drain over time, and jetting removes them.

A local note

Conifer is an unincorporated foothills community at about 8,262 feet, made up almost entirely of single-family homes. Plumbing permits, if a repair follows the cleaning, come from Jefferson County Building Safety (303-271-8260). At this elevation, clear a slow drain before the hard freezes; a line holding water is the one most likely to freeze.