Emergency Drain Cleaning: What to Do When Your Drains Back Up
Few things are more stressful than waking up to a backed-up sink, overflowing toilet, or standing water in your basement. Drain backups can happen without warning and bring your day—and your plumbing—to a grinding halt. Knowing what to do when a drain emergency strikes can help you act quickly and minimize damage. Here’s how to handle a drain backup and why calling a professional right away matters.
What Causes a Drain Backup?
Drain backups occur when something blocks the flow of water through your pipes or sewer line. Common causes include:
Grease buildup in kitchen drains
Hair and soap scum in bathroom sinks and tubs
Wipes, paper towels, or hygiene products flushed down toilets
Tree roots growing into the sewer line
Collapsed or aging pipes
In multi-unit buildings or businesses, backups may be caused by shared drain lines and heavier usage, making prompt action even more important.
Immediate Steps to Take During a Drain Emergency
Stop using water immediately – Running faucets, flushing toilets, or using appliances will worsen the backup.
Turn off the main water supply if the backup is severe or water is overflowing.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners – These can damage your pipes and rarely work on major clogs.
Keep people and pets away from any standing water, especially if it involves sewage.
Call a professional drain cleaning service right away – Fast action can prevent extensive damage and reduce cleanup costs.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Call a Pro
Emergency drain issues rarely resolve on their own. The longer you wait, the more risk you face of:
Water damage to floors, walls, and belongings
Mold growth from standing water
Exposure to harmful bacteria and odors
Extensive (and expensive) plumbing repairs
How Superior Drain Solutions Can Help
At Superior Drain Solutions, we offer fast, reliable emergency drain cleaning services to homes and businesses in Syracuse, Utica, Rome, Cortland, and Oswego. Our trained technicians use advanced equipment—including high-pressure water jetting and camera inspections—to identify and resolve the problem quickly.
Whether it’s a clogged toilet at home or a flooded basement in your business, our team is ready to respond 24/7 and get your drains flowing again.
Need emergency drain cleaning? Call Superior Drain Solutions now and get expert help when you need it most!