24/7 · All five NYC boroughs
Basement floor drain backing up
Water coming up through a basement floor drain usually means the main sewer line is blocked. The floor drain is the lowest opening in the building, so it's where the backup shows first. Stop using water and call. Main line clearing starts at $595.
- 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
Do this now
Stop all water use upstairs, keep people away from the water, move belongings off the floor, and call or text (800) 971-1712.
What the water is telling you
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Clean water, only when the washer drains | Laundry line or main partly blocked |
| Dirty water or sewage | Main sewer line blocked |
| Only during heavy rain | Partly blocked main plus full street sewer |
| Slowly rising, no water use | Main fully blocked, or a city sewer problem: check with neighbors |
How we fix it
- Pump out standing water so we can work.
- Clear the floor drain line, or the main if that’s where it’s blocked.
- Flow-test from upstairs fixtures.
- Camera the line to show the cause.
- Recommend jetting if grease, silt or roots will bring it back.
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
Why is my floor drain backing up when I do laundry?
The washer sends a lot of water fast. If the main or the laundry line is partly blocked, that surge comes up through the floor drain. The line needs clearing before it gets worse.
Why does it back up only when it rains?
In much of NYC, rain and sewage share the same street sewer. When it fills during storms, a partly blocked line can't drain. Clearing and sometimes jetting the main helps.
Should I plug the floor drain?
Don't plug it to stop a backup. The water will find the next lowest opening, often a toilet or tub.
Is the water dangerous?
If it's sewage, yes. Keep people and pets away and don't walk through it barefoot.
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.