Sewer backing up? Stop using water and call now.
Sewage in a basement drain, tub, or toilet is not a wait-until-morning problem. Every flush or load of laundry can push more of it back into the house.
Answered live, 24 hours a day — Buffalo & Erie County. Call for an estimate.
First — what to do now
First 5 minutes
- 1. Stop running water: Do not flush, shower, run the dishwasher, or do laundry until the line is checked.
- 2. Keep people and pets out of it: Sewage is unsanitary. Keep children and pets away from affected drains and floors.
- 3. Note what you see: Which drain backed up first? Is it only the basement, or are toilets and tubs affected too? That helps locate the blockage.
- 4. Call now: Call (716) 435-9317. Tell us which fixtures are affected and whether the backup is still rising.
Why this happens in Buffalo
Buffalo-specific causes
- Tree roots growing into older clay or cast-iron sewer laterals — common in Buffalo's older neighborhoods.
- Grease, wipes, and buildup narrowing a line until a heavy rain or normal use pushes it over the edge.
- Heavy rain and spring thaw overwhelming a combined or aging system.
- A collapsed or bellied section of lateral that traps waste and paper.
Signs you should not wait
Call now if you see this
- Water or sewage coming up a basement floor drain when you flush or shower upstairs.
- Multiple fixtures draining slowly at the same time, or gurgling when another fixture is used.
- A sewage smell that gets worse after rain, or after running the washing machine.
- Toilets that will not flush properly while a basement drain is wet.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Can I just plunge it?
A single slow toilet is different from a whole-house backup. If more than one fixture is affected, or sewage is involved, do not keep plunging — call and get the main line checked.
Is a sewer backup dangerous?
Yes, sewage carries bacteria. Avoid contact, do not mop it into other drains, and let a plumber clear and assess the line.
What will the plumber do?
Typically the main line is checked, cleared, and, if needed, inspected to find roots, breaks, or a collapse. Call for an estimate.
Does this happen a lot in Buffalo?
Older laterals, mature street trees, and heavy rain make backups a recurring Buffalo problem, especially in older housing stock.
Also serving — emergency plumber near you
Don't wait on water damage.
One call gets you a local emergency plumber, day or night. Tell us what is happening and where you are, and we will talk through the next step.
☎ Call (716) 435-9317