Lafayette runs its own sewer system and water reclamation facility, but the drains inside a home and the sewer line out to the city main are private plumbing. A plumber clears that part and can tell you if the trouble is in the city's line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lafayette.
Lafayette at a glance
Lafayette is a suburban city in southeastern Boulder County that grew out of coal mining and farming, with an Old Town core along Public Road. City of Lafayette Public Works operates the Lafayette Water Reclamation Facility, designed for up to 4.4 million gallons a day, which releases treated water to Coal Creek. For weekend or after-hours sewer backups that may involve the city's mains, Lafayette directs residents to Boulder County Dispatch at 303-441-4444. Problems inside your house or in your private line are a job for a plumber.
Older homes are more likely to have metal drains and clay sewer pipe, which collect scale and roots; newer homes generally have plastic lines that clog mainly from what goes into them.
What to do now
- See how far it spreads. Run a little water at a second fixture. If only the first is slow, the clog is local.
- Stop water use for a main line backup. Showers, laundry and dishwashing can push sewage out the lowest drain.
- Protect the lowest level. Move belongings away from basement floor drains and showers.
- Don't pour chemicals in. They rarely clear a main line and make the pipe dangerous to open.
- Call the right party. A plumber for the private side; Boulder County Dispatch after hours if the city main seems to be the problem.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| One drain slow, others fine | A local clog in that fixture's trap or branch |
| Kitchen sink fills from the other basin | Grease and food in the kitchen line |
| Toilet bubbles while the tub drains | Partial main line blockage or a vent issue |
| Basement floor drain overflows | Main line or sewer service line blocked |
| Same backup every few months | Roots, scale or a sagging section of pipe |
Cost factors
- Where the clog is and how much pipe has to be cleared
- A usable cleanout versus pulling a toilet
- Cable, cutter head or water jetting
- A camera inspection when clogs keep returning
- Repair work, which is quoted separately and may need a permit from the City of Lafayette Building Division
- Evening and weekend visits
Drain Cleaning questions in Lafayette
Who do I call first when sewage backs up into the basement?
What does it mean when every fixture in the house drains slowly at once?
Can I flush wipes that say flushable on the package?
When is hydro jetting a better choice than a drain cable?
More plumbing services in Lafayette
Drain Cleaning nearby
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