Englewood has some of the oldest housing in the south metro, and older drain and sewer pipe is where repeat clogs tend to start. The pipes in the house and the line out to the City of Englewood's sewer are private, so a plumber is the first call. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Englewood.
Old houses, old pipes
Census survey estimates put the median Englewood home at 1964, with about 68% built before 1980. The northwest part of the city has housing going back to the 1910s. Houses of those vintages commonly have cast iron drains under the floor and clay sewer laterals out to the street. Cast iron grows a rough lining of scale and rust that catches grease and paper, and clay joints let in roots. Many Englewood drain calls are about lines that clog again and again, not one-time accidents.
Englewood runs its own utility independent of Denver Water. Wastewater goes through the city's sanitary sewer to South Platte Renew, the treatment plant that also serves Littleton and nearby districts. Some Englewood-area addresses are in other sanitation districts, such as South Englewood Sanitation, so check the city's Find Your Sanitation District maps or your bill if the public side is in question.
Matching the method to the line
| Method | Works well for | In older Englewood pipe |
|---|---|---|
| Hand auger | A single slow sink, tub or toilet | Fine for fixture clogs close to the drain |
| Machine cable with cutter | Roots in a clay lateral | Clears the line, but roots return if joints stay open |
| Hydro jetting | Grease and scale on pipe walls | Effective, after the plumber confirms the pipe can take it |
| Camera inspection | Finding breaks, offsets and root entry | Often worth it before deciding on repair |
Signs you need more than a plunger
- A basement floor drain that holds dirty water
- Toilets gurgling when a sink or tub drains
- Several fixtures slowing down together
- Backups that come back every few months
- Sewage odor in the basement or crawl space
Timing and repairs
Roots grow most actively in the warmer months, so older laterals often slow down over summer. If yours backs up on a cycle, clearing it before a holiday or a houseful of guests can save a mess. When camera footage shows a broken section, the repair needs a permit: Englewood requires a building permit for water and drain line alterations, issued by the city's Building Division. A plumber can explain whether a spot repair, a liner or a replacement fits what the camera found.
Drain Cleaning questions in Englewood
Are older drain pipes harder to clean than newer plastic ones?
Why does a drain clog again a few weeks after it was cleared?
Do I need a permit to have a drain cleared?
Why do I smell sewer gas from a floor drain or basement shower?
More plumbing services in Englewood
Drain Cleaning nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: