- 833-603-1840
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Astoria, NY
If wastewater rises through a basement floor drain or a lower-level toilet in your Astoria home, the building sewer line may be blocked or overwhelmed. JPR Plumbing helps Astoria homeowners find out what’s causing the backup and how to fix it. Call (833) 603-1840 if sewage is entering your home.
Every drain in your house empties into one building sewer that runs out to the City sewer under the street. When that line is blocked or the City sewer is full during heavy rain, wastewater has nowhere to go and rises through the lowest drains in the house, usually in the basement or cellar.
A sewer backup plumber figures out whether the problem is a clog in your line, damage to the pipe, or water pushing back from the street, then explains how to fix it. Getting the cause right matters, because a clog, a broken pipe, and storm water each need a different solution. Visit our New York plumbing homepage to learn more.
Here are the common signs of a sewer backup, the usual causes, and how a plumber can help.
01
Dirty water rising through a basement floor drain is the most common sign of a sewer backup.
02
In a two-family home, slow drains in both units often point to a blockage in the main line.
03
If problems start during storms, the City sewer may be pushing water back toward your home.
04
Grease and wipes are major causes of dry-weather backups in NYC.
05
Gutter downspouts or other drains connected to the sewer can add water and force it back inside.
06
Older building sewers can crack, sag, or collect buildup that slows flow.
07
A plumber checks where the backup happens and whether the issue is in your line or the City sewer.
08
The building sewer may be cleared with professional equipment, depending on the cause.
09
A plumber can explain options, including whether a backwater valve suits your home.
Repair costs
Sewer backup repairs can range from clearing a clog to repairing pipe or adding a backwater valve. Factors include:
A plumber can explain the likely work once the cause is known.
Astoria considerations
Astoria’s older homes and combined sewer system both play a role in backups.
Wet-Weather Backups. NYC DEP’s sewer backup report says heavy-rain backups are now the most common type, and that downspouts, sump pumps, or foundation drains connected to the sewer cause nearly 1 in 3 investigated complaints.
Backwater Valves. DEP explains that a backwater valve can help homes with basement drains below the nearby sewer, but it must be maintained and checked during storms.
Older Building Sewers. Many Astoria homes have sewer lines that have been in place for decades. Over time, these lines can crack, settle, or build up scale that slows the flow of wastewater.
Avoid contact with sewage, keep children and pets away, and stop using water until the line is checked.
Backups, clogs, and basement water often go together. You can also explore all of our plumbing services in Astoria. Related services include:
We serve homeowners throughout Astoria, including Ditmars, Steinway, Astoria Heights, Old Astoria, Hallets Point, and the 30th Avenue and Broadway areas. Contact us to confirm availability at your address.
Questions
Stop running water and flushing, keep people and pets away from the wastewater, and contact a plumber.
DEP asks residents to report sewer backups to 311 so they can be recorded and investigated.
No. DEP notes it helps keep sewer water out of basement drains but doesn’t stop water coming through doors, windows, or walls.
Heavy rain can fill the sewer system and push water back toward the lowest drains in nearby homes.
DEP says downspouts connected to the sewer can add water and contribute to backups in some homes.
Yes. Untreated sewage can carry germs, so avoid touching it, keep children and pets away, and wear protective gear if you must enter the area.
In a house or two-family home, the line from the building to the City sewer is generally the owner’s responsibility. Problems in the City sewer can be reported to 311.
Call (833) 603-1840, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., or send us a request online. Tell us where the sewage is coming up and whether it started during rain.
