24/7 · All five NYC boroughs
Main line clog: when every drain backs up at once
When more than one fixture is slow or backing up at the same time, the clog is in the main line that every drain shares, not in any one sink or toilet. Plunging fixtures won't fix it. Main line clearing starts at $595 with a camera check.
- 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
How to tell it’s the main
- More than one fixture is slow or stopped.
- The toilet bubbles when the sink or tub drains.
- Water comes up in the tub or shower when you flush.
- The basement floor drain has water in it.
- The washing machine drain backs up into a nearby sink or floor drain.
If only one fixture is affected, see toilet, tub and shower clogs or kitchen sink drains instead.
What we pull out of NYC main lines
- Wipes, including the ones labeled flushable
- Paper towels and excess toilet paper
- Grease from kitchen lines
- Tree roots from yard and sidewalk trees
- Construction debris after renovations
- Toys and objects that were flushed
How we clear it
- Open the cleanout or house trap.
- Run a sewer machine sized to the line toward the street.
- Flow-test from upstairs.
- Camera the line to see the cause and the condition of the pipe.
- Tell you whether it’s a one-time clog or whether it needs hydro jetting.
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
How do I know it's the main line?
Two or more fixtures slow at once, water rising in the tub when the toilet flushes, gurgling in one fixture when another drains, or water coming up through the basement floor drain.
Can I clear a main line clog myself?
Rental drum machines can work on a simple clog, but NYC mains often run through a house trap that's hard to open safely under pressure. A failed attempt can leave a cable stuck in the line.
How much does it cost?
Main line clearing starts at $595 with a camera check, plus $150 at night, on weekends and holidays.
How long does it take?
Most main line clearings take an hour or two including the camera check. Lines with roots or heavy grease take longer.
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.