When a Littleton disposal hums, stays silent or drips under the sink, a jam, a tripped reset, a failed seal or a worn motor is usually to blame. A plumber can find the cause and check the kitchen drain behind it. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Littleton.
Do I need a city permit to replace a disposal in Littleton?
Littleton is stricter than many places on paper. The city's Permit Center says permits are required to install, alter, repair or replace any plumbing system within city jurisdiction. Homeowners doing their own single-discipline work complete a Homeowner Affidavit. A plumber can tell you how that applies to a disposal swap. One catch: Littleton ZIP codes cover a lot of ground outside city limits, including Columbine, Ken Caryl and Highlands Ranch. Those addresses go to Arapahoe, Jefferson or Douglas County instead, and the city's District Map Tool will tell you which jurisdiction you're in.
Where does my kitchen waste go?
Most city residents are billed for sewer by the City of Littleton, and wastewater is treated at South Platte Renew, the plant Littleton and Englewood own together. Residents of some connecting communities are billed by their local sanitation district instead. Water comes from Denver Water, but sewer is a city service, so a main-line backup goes to the city: 303-795-3959 during normal hours or 303-794-1551 after hours. A clog inside your house is a plumber's job.
Is my older Littleton house harder on a disposal?
Littleton grew quickly in the 1950s and 1960s, and homes from that era may still have their original drain lines. Decades of grease and food residue can narrow a kitchen branch until a perfectly healthy disposal seems to drain slowly. When a plumber works on the unit, they'll usually test the flow past the trap and suggest cleaning the line if it's sluggish. A camera can show whether the pipe itself is cracked or just coated.
Local note
Disposals work best in Littleton's older homes when they're used lightly: small scraps, plenty of cold water and no grease. The less you send down, the longer both the unit and the decades-old pipe behind it will last. When the time comes for a new unit, ask the plumber about the drain at the same time so you aren't paying for two visits. And if the city's Permit Center needs to be involved, the plumber can usually handle that paperwork as part of the job, so you don't have to sort it out on your own.
Garbage Disposals questions in Littleton
Will I need a permit to swap out a garbage disposal?
Who handles a backup that's coming from the public sewer main?
Can the drain pipes in an older house handle a disposal?
The grinder works, so why is the sink still slow to drain?
More plumbing services in Littleton
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