24/7 · Brooklyn
Drain and sewer cleaning in Brooklyn
Brooklyn brownstones and rowhouses run their main sewer line through a house trap near the front wall and out to the street through old clay or cast iron. We clear house traps, mains and every drain above them, 24/7, and camera the line so you know why it backed up.
- Answered 24/7
- Price confirmed before work starts
Starting prices. Every job is different, so the technician confirms your price on site before any work starts. Nights, weekends and holidays add $150. All prices
Brooklyn drain problems we see most
House traps in brownstones and rowhouses
The house trap sits where the main leaves the building, usually in the cellar near the front wall or under the front areaway. It’s the first place wipes and paper catch. When it clogs, the cellar floor drain backs up and every drain upstairs slows. Read what is a house trap.
Tree roots on tree-lined blocks
Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, Ditmas Park and other tree-lined neighborhoods have mature street trees right above original clay and cast iron mains. Roots enter through the joints and come back every year or two without regular jetting.
Shared mains in multifamily buildings
In two- to six-family buildings, one tenant’s wipes or grease becomes everyone’s backup. We clear the main, camera it to show the cause, and can set up scheduled cleaning for owners and managers.
Low-lying and flood-prone areas
Parts of Brooklyn near the waterfront and in low-lying areas see backups during heavy rain, when the combined street sewer fills up and a partly blocked main can’t drain. Clearing and jetting the main reduces the risk.
Restaurants and bars
Grease lines and floor drains along the borough’s commercial strips need regular jetting. See restaurant drain cleaning.
Services in Brooklyn
| Service | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Drain cleaning, single fixture | Starting at $325 |
| Main sewer line and house trap, camera included | Starting at $595 |
| Sewer camera inspection | Starting at $495 |
| Hydro jetting, residential, including roots | Starting at $895 |
| Commercial jetting | Starting at $1,200 |
| Nights, weekends, holidays | +$150 |
Buying in Brooklyn?
Many brownstone mains have been in the ground for generations. A pre-purchase sewer scope shows the condition of the line before you close.
Neighborhoods we serve
Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Gowanus, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, East New York, Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Canarsie, Brighton Beach and Coney Island.
What we don't do. We clear, clean and inspect drains and sewer lines. If the camera shows a cracked, collapsed or separated line, you get the footage and a referral to an NYC master plumber for the fix. Why we work this way
Common questions
What is a house trap and why does mine keep clogging?
A U-shaped fitting on the main line near the front wall that blocks sewer gas from the street. The bend slows the flow, so wipes and paper catch there first. It's the most common clog point in Brooklyn brownstones.
Do tree roots really get into Brooklyn sewer lines?
Yes. Street trees on brownstone blocks find the joints in older clay and cast iron mains. A camera shows how heavy the growth is, and root jetting cuts it back.
Can you clear the line from outside?
If there's a front areaway cleanout, often yes, which keeps the work out of the cellar.
I'm buying a brownstone. Should I scope the sewer?
We'd recommend it. Mains on many brownstones are original, and the owner is generally responsible for the line out to the city sewer. See our pre-purchase sewer inspection.
Do you work in multifamily buildings?
Yes. Two- to six-family buildings share one main, so we clear the main and help figure out which unit's habits caused it.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Brooklyn?
Starting at $325 for a single drain, $595 for the main line and house trap with a camera check, $895 for residential root jetting, and $150 more after hours.
Need a drain cleared?
Calls are answered 24 hours a day. A technician looks at the job and confirms your price on site before any work starts.