Hydro Jetting in Federal Heights, CO

Local conditions

Federal Heights is a small, fully built-out home rule city in western Adams County, named for Federal Boulevard and best known for the Water World park. Because the city is built out, most homes have been in place for a while, and drain lines have had time to collect grease and, in older materials, scale and roots.

Water and sewer service in Federal Heights are billed by the city itself out of City Hall at 2380 W. 90th Ave. (303-412-3531), according to a title-industry utility directory; the city's own website could not be checked directly. Federal Heights is not on Denver Water's list of distributors. Where the city's wastewater is treated was not confirmed. If a backup looks like it's coming from the street, City Hall is the place to start. If it's only your house, the private line from the house to the main is the usual cause, and that is a plumber's job.

We also couldn't verify which office issues plumbing permits in Federal Heights. Cleaning a line doesn't usually need one, but if a camera finds a break, ask City Hall which office handles the repair permit before work begins.

Snake versus jet

Signs your main line needs it

• The lowest drain backs up when the washer empties
• Several fixtures slow at once
• A toilet gurgles when the tub drains
• Grease or roots on the cable after cleaning
• Odor near the cleanout

Timing

A line that slows a little more each month is easier to jet before it closes completely. Winter grease clogs and summer root clogs both follow a pattern; if yours does, ask the plumber whether periodic cleaning would save you an emergency call.

When you call, describe which drains are affected, roughly how old the house is and whether anyone has cleaned the line before. Until the plumber arrives, keep water use to a minimum and avoid chemical drain openers, which rarely reach a main-line clog. If you know where the cleanout is, say so, since it can shorten the job.