Emergency Help: What to Do Right Now
Step-by-step first moves for the problems that can't wait — what to shut off, what's unsafe, and what the likely cause is before a pro arrives.
Sewer Smell in the House: What to Do Right Now
A rotten-egg or sewage smell indoors is unpleasant, but it's usually not an emergency — and the most common cause is the cheapest one to fix.
See the first steps →Main Sewer Line Clog: What to Do Right Now
When more than one drain backs up at once — or sewage appears at the lowest drain in the house, like a basement floor drain — the blockage is in the main line, not a single fixture.
See the first steps →Sewer Backup in the Basement: What to Do Right Now
Sewage rising out of a basement floor drain or the lowest toilet almost always means the main line is blocked, either in your own lateral or, during heavy rain, in the city's system. Stop using water first; every flush upstairs ends up on the basement floor.
See the first steps →Signs of a Leaking Sewer Line in the Yard
A broken sewer lateral leaks wastewater into the soil between your house and the street. The yard usually shows it first: a soggy or sunken strip, grass that's greener than the rest of the lawn, or a sewage smell outdoors, often along with slow drains inside.
See the first steps →Need a pro now?
Send the short form — emergency requests get priority routing.