24/7 · All five NYC boroughs
Sewer backing up? What to do right now
A sewer backup means the main line between your building and the street is blocked, so wastewater comes up through the lowest drains. Stop all water use, keep people away from it, and call. 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
Do this now
- Stop all water use in the building: no flushing, showers, dishwasher or laundry.
- Keep people and pets away from the water. Sewage carries bacteria.
- Don’t pour chemicals into the drain. They won’t clear a main line.
- Move belongings away from floor drains and the lowest fixtures.
- Check with a neighbor. If they’re backing up too, call 311 as well.
- Call or text us at (800) 971-1712, any hour.
Is it your line or the city’s?
| What you notice | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Only your building is backing up | Your main sewer line | Us |
| Several buildings on the block, same time | City sewer in the street | 311 (NYC DEP) |
| Backs up only during heavy rain | Partly blocked line plus a full street sewer | Us, then consider jetting |
| Backs up when one fixture runs | That fixture’s branch or the main | Us |
In NYC, owners are generally responsible for the sewer line from the building out to the city sewer. More in who owns the sewer line in NYC.
What causes sewer backups
- Wipes and paper towels. They don’t break down and they catch in the house trap.
- Grease from kitchen lines hardening in the main.
- Tree roots growing into joints in older clay and cast iron lines. See tree roots in the sewer line.
- Sags and offsets where debris settles.
- Heavy rain pushing a combined sewer system past capacity.
How we fix it
- Clear the main through the cleanout or house trap with a sewer machine.
- Flow-test from upstairs fixtures.
- Run the camera to find the cause.
- Recommend next steps: nothing, a habit change, scheduled jetting, or, if the line is broken, a referral to an NYC master plumber.
Main line clearing starts at $595 with the camera included, or $745 at night, on weekends and holidays.
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
Is a sewer backup dangerous?
Sewage carries bacteria and viruses. Keep children and pets away, don't walk through it barefoot, and wash anything that touches it. Turn off power to outlets near standing water if you can do it safely.
Is it my line or the city's sewer?
If neighbors on the block are backing up too, or the camera shows your line is clear to the street, the city sewer may be blocked. Report that to 311. If only your building is affected, it's almost always your line.
Will homeowners insurance cover it?
Many policies only cover sewer backup with a specific rider. Photograph everything before cleanup and keep our invoice.
Can I use the toilet while I wait?
No. Any water you send down the drain ends up in the basement or the lowest fixture.
Why did it happen during the storm?
Much of NYC uses combined sewers that carry rainwater and sewage together. During heavy rain the street sewer fills up, and a line that's already partly blocked can't drain.
How do I stop it from happening again?
The camera shows the cause. Wipes and paper are fixed by changing habits. Grease and roots usually need hydro jetting on a schedule.
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.