24/7 · All five NYC boroughs
Clogged toilet, tub and shower drains
We clear clogged toilets with a closet auger that won't scratch the bowl, and tub and shower drains through the drain or overflow with a cable machine. Starting at $325, with a flow test before we leave.
- 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
Toilets
Toilets clog with too much paper, wipes, paper towels, feminine products and the occasional toy. Most clogs sit in the trapway built into the toilet itself.
How we clear it: a closet auger has a protective sleeve so the cable doesn’t scratch the porcelain. It reaches through the trapway, breaks up or pulls back the clog, and we flush several times to confirm it’s clear.
When it’s not the toilet: if the toilet bubbles when another fixture drains, or water comes up in the tub when you flush, the problem is the main line.
Tubs and showers
Hair and soap are the usual culprits. They build up a few inches below the drain and in the trap.
How we clear it: we cover the tub, work through the drain or the overflow opening, and cable the line until it flows freely. Then we run the tub and shower at full volume to confirm.
Bathroom sinks
Hair, toothpaste, shaving residue and soap. We clear through the trap or the wall line and flow-test before leaving.
Signs to call now
- The toilet bowl rises near the rim when you flush.
- Water stands in the tub long after the shower is off.
- Gurgling from the tub when the toilet flushes.
- Two bathroom fixtures slow at the same time.
- A sewer smell from the shower drain.
Keep bathroom drains clear
- Only toilet paper goes in the toilet, even with “flushable” wipes.
- Use a hair catcher in every tub and shower.
- Don’t rely on chemical openers. They rarely reach the clog and can damage older fixtures.
Why toilets clog
| Cause | What helps |
|---|---|
| Too much paper at once | Flush partway through, or use less |
| Wipes, including “flushable” ones | Throw them in the trash |
| Paper towels, tissues, cotton swabs | These don’t break down. Trash only |
| Feminine products and diapers | Trash only |
| Toys and objects | A closet auger usually retrieves them |
| A main line backup | If other fixtures are affected, it’s the main line |
Low-flow toilets in older buildings
Newer low-flow toilets use much less water per flush. In buildings with older, larger cast iron lines, that smaller flush has less force to carry waste all the way to the main. Paper and waste can settle in the line, and clogs show up further down, not in the toilet. If a newer toilet clogs often in an older building, the line itself may need clearing.
Tubs and showers in NYC apartments
Older NYC tubs often have a drain with a trip lever and a long run to the stack. Hair and soap build up at the stopper linkage and in the trap. We clear the line through the drain or overflow and run the tub and shower at full volume before leaving.
From real jobs
Photos and footage from our own work. No stock images.
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
My toilet is clogged and the tub is filling with water. What's happening?
That points to the main sewer line, not the toilet. The toilet and tub share a line, and when the main is blocked, water backs up into the lowest fixture. Stop using water and call.
Is it safe to keep plunging?
A few tries with a flange plunger is fine. If the bowl is near the rim, stop. Every flush adds water, and an overflow is worse than a clog.
Why does my shower drain keep clogging?
Hair binds with soap scum just below the drain and in the trap. Cabling clears it. A hair catcher on the drain keeps most of it out.
How much does it cost to clear a toilet or tub?
A single fixture starts at $325 during the day, with $150 added at night, on weekends and holidays.
What are flushable wipes doing to my pipes?
They don't break down the way toilet paper does. They catch on joints and in the house trap and build into a plug. They're one of the most common things we pull out of NYC lines.
Can a clogged toilet damage my floor?
A single overflow usually just needs cleanup. Repeated leaks around the base can damage the floor and the ceiling below, so it's worth clearing a recurring clog properly.
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.