Hydro Jetting in Golden, CO

Signs to watch for

• A basement floor drain backs up during laundry or a long shower
• The same drain needs snaking over and over
• Rust-colored flakes or root fibers on the cable
• Gurgling toilets when other fixtures drain
• Sewer odor near the cleanout or lowest bathroom

Any one fixture can clog on its own. The lowest drains acting up together point to the main line.

What Golden's pipes face

Golden is a historic foothills city and the Jefferson County seat, built along Clear Creek between the Table Mountains and Lookout Mountain. A lot of its housing is older: a city-data profile for ZIP 80401, which covers Golden and some surrounding area, puts about 56% of homes before 1980. Older houses can still have cast iron drains inside and clay or other older pipe outside. Cast iron builds up scale and rust that narrow the pipe; clay joints shift and let roots in. Jetting handles both well when the pipe is intact, so a camera look first is a good idea on an older house.

The City of Golden runs both water and sewer for homes inside city limits and lists a 24-hour water and sewer emergency line on its Utilities pages. If a backup seems to come from the city's main, call the city. If it's only your house, the private line from the house to the main is the likely spot. Golden mailing addresses outside city limits may be served by other providers, so check your bill.

Cost factors

• Where the line can be reached: cleanout, toilet flange or roof vent
• How far the lateral runs and how deep it is
• Scale and roots in older pipe versus soft grease
• Camera inspection before or after
• After-hours work

If the camera shows damage, Golden's Building Division handles plumbing permits over the counter by email, usually within 1-2 business days.

When you call

The number on this page connects you with an independent plumber who works in Golden. Mention how old the house is, which drains are affected and any past sewer work. Keep water use low until the line is clear.