In a Lafayette plumbing emergency, close the main valve, and if gas is in the air, leave and call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lafayette.
Lafayette runs its own water and sewer: the city draws surface water from Baseline, Waneka and Goose Haven reservoirs and treats wastewater at its own reclamation facility, which releases to Coal Creek. The meter pit is the dividing line on water service. The city owns the line from the main to the meter pit, and the homeowner owns everything from the meter pit to the house.
What to do now
- Close the main valve inside the house to stop the flow.
- Call the city for street-side trouble. Public Works answers at 303-661-1277 during the day. For a water main break or sewer backup on a weekend or after hours, Lafayette directs residents to Boulder County Dispatch at 303-441-4444.
- Turn off a leaking water heater at its cold inlet and its gas or breaker.
- Stay out of standing water near outlets, cords or appliances.
- Leave if you smell gas, and call 911 and the gas utility listed on your bill once outside.
- Record the damage with photos before moving things.
Signs and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Soggy lawn between the meter pit and the house | Leak in the owner's service line |
| Water gushing near the street | City main or service line before the pit |
| Floor drain filling with sewage | Blocked house sewer line or, if neighbors are affected, the main |
| Hissing in a wall after a cold night | Pipe that froze and split |
| Water around the water heater | Tank failure, relief valve discharge or a loose connection |
Cost factors
Expect higher charges for nights, weekends and holidays. Access is the next biggest factor; a pipe in an open crawl space is quicker to reach than one under a finished floor. A leak on the owner's service line outside may need excavation, which adds time. Bigger replacements may require a permit from the City of Lafayette Building Division at City Hall on South Public Road. The city is also inventorying service line materials and notifies owners if a lead or galvanized line needs replacement. When you call, have the address ready, say what failed and whether the main is closed, and ask how after-hours work is priced before the plumber heads out. No arrival time is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in Lafayette
Who do I call when a water main breaks in the street?
Water is bubbling up in the yard near the meter pit. Who fixes that?
I smell gas near the furnace or water heater. What should I do?
How should a frozen pipe be thawed safely?
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