Sewage or dirty water rising from a floor drain
Often: Blocked main line; city sewer full in heavy rain
Problems & symptoms
What's going on with your plumbing?
Find what you're seeing, how urgent it is and what usually fixes it. When it can't wait, call.
- One number for NYC, Long Island, Westchester & North Jersey
- Houses, condos, co-ops and apartment buildings
- Ask for the price before any work starts
Call for plumbing help1-888-503-1510
Takes about a minute. Tell us what's happening, what kind of building it is, and the town or neighborhood.
Do this first
Water flowing? Close the fixture valve or the main shutoff. Sewage? Stop using water and stay out of it. Water near electrical? Keep away. Smell gas? Leave and call 911 or the gas utility from outside.
Symptom finder
Filter by where the problem is.
18 symptoms
Water dripping through the ceiling
Often: Bathroom or appliance above; riser leak
Pipe spraying or a burst after a freeze
Often: Frozen pipe, failed fitting, corroded pipe
Toilet overflowing and won't stop
Often: Clog in the toilet or line below; stuck fill valve
Water heater leaking from the bottom
Often: Corroded tank
Every drain in the house is slow
Often: Main line clog, roots, blocked house trap
Kitchen sink backs up when neighbors run water
Often: Grease in a shared kitchen stack
No hot water
Often: Water heater, pilot or element; central system in apartments
Water in the basement after rain
Often: Groundwater, sump pump, or sewer backup
Sewer smell in the basement
Often: Dry floor drain trap, vent or cracked pipe
Water meter moving with everything off
Often: Hidden leak in pipes or a running toilet
Gurgling drains or toilet bubbling
Often: Partial main line clog or vent problem
Weak pressure at one or more taps
Often: Old galvanized pipe, valves, roof tank or pump
Shower swings hot and cold
Often: Old shower valve without pressure balancing
Toilet keeps running
Often: Worn flapper or fill valve
Faucet dripping
Often: Worn cartridge or washer
Rusty or brown water when a tap opens
Often: Corroding galvanized pipe or water heater
Outdoor faucet leaking or frozen
Often: Freeze damage; no winter shutoff
How it works
- CallOne number for the whole region.
- Describe itThe problem, the building and the town.
- Get connectedWith a local plumbing professional who can quote and schedule.
When to call right away
- Water is flowing and you can't stop it
- Sewage is coming into the building
- Water is near outlets, fixtures or the electrical panel
- No water at all in freezing weather
- A water heater is leaking from the tank
What you can safely check
- Is it one fixture or several? One points to that fixture; several point to a shared line
- Do neighbors have the same problem? Several buildings during rain points to the city sewer
- Does it happen after rain, after using water, or all the time?
- Where is your main shutoff? Usually where the water line enters the cellar
- Take photos for insurance before clean-up
Questions
How do I know if it's an emergency?
If water is actively flowing where it shouldn't, sewage is coming into the building, water is near electrical equipment, or you have no water at all in freezing weather, treat it as urgent. Shut off the water if you can and call.
Can I fix it myself?
Simple checks are fine: closing a valve, plunging a toilet, checking whether neighbors have the same problem. Leave gas, electrical, pressurized systems and sewage clean-up to professionals. In NYC, plumbing repairs must be done by or under a licensed plumber.
I rent. Who fixes this?
In most rentals, the landlord or building. Tell the super or management first. See apartment plumbing.