24/7 · All five NYC boroughs
Roof drain and leader line cleaning
Flat NYC roofs drain through roof drains into leader lines that run down inside or outside the building to the sewer. Leaves, gravel and debris clog them, and water ponds on the roof or overflows. We clear the drain and leader and flow-test it. Priced on site after we see the job.
- Answered 24/7
- Price confirmed before work starts
Why roof drains clog
Flat roofs collect leaves, seeds, gravel ballast, roofing debris and anything the wind carries. It washes to the roof drain, gets past or around the strainer, and settles in the leader. Ponding water adds weight to the roof and finds every weak spot in the membrane.
How we clear them
- Clean the strainer and drain body on the roof.
- Cable or jet the leader line from the roof or from a cleanout at the base, depending on access.
- Flow-test with a hose from the roof to confirm water reaches the street or the main.
For buildings
Property managers can schedule roof drain cleaning before fall leaves and before winter. See property managers.
Signs your roof drains need attention
- Water stays on the roof for more than a day or two after rain.
- Leaves, gravel or debris are piled around the drain.
- Water overflows from the leader where it meets the ground.
- Stains or leaks on the top-floor ceiling after storms.
- Water pours from scuppers or the roof edge instead of the drains.
Types of roof drainage in NYC buildings
| Type | Where it’s common |
|---|---|
| Interior roof drains | Flat roofs on apartment and commercial buildings, piped down inside the walls |
| Scuppers and leaders | Openings at the roof edge feeding an exterior downspout |
| Gutters and leaders | Pitched roofs on houses in Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island |
When to clean them
- Late fall, after the leaves drop.
- Late spring, after seeds and pollen.
- After any big storm that leaves debris on the roof.
Inside leaders and your main line
In many older NYC buildings, interior leaders tie into the same main as the sanitary drains. Debris from the roof can add to a main line clog, and a blocked main can make roof water back up during storms. If the basement floor drain backs up only during heavy rain, have both checked.
Where we work
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
How do I know my roof drain is clogged?
Water stays on the roof for more than a day or two after rain, debris collects around the drain, or water overflows from the leader where it meets the ground.
What is a leader line?
The pipe that carries rainwater from the roof drain or gutter down to the building's drain or sewer. In many NYC buildings it runs inside the walls and ties into the main below the basement.
How much does roof drain cleaning cost?
It depends on roof access and the length of the leader, so the technician prices it on site before any work starts.
Can a clogged leader cause a basement backup?
It can. In many older buildings the leader ties into the same main as the sanitary drains. Debris from the roof can add to a main line blockage.
Do you work on roofs?
We clear the roof drain and leader from the roof or from a cleanout at the base, depending on access. Roofing repairs are a job for a roofer.
Can a clogged roof drain cause a leak inside?
Yes. Water that can't drain sits on the roof and finds weak spots in the membrane, often showing up as a stain on the top-floor ceiling.
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.