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Why Is My Floor Drain Backing Up?

If you are a homeowner, you know how baffling floor drain backups can be.

May 05, 2026
Why Is My Floor Drain Backing Up?

If you are a homeowner, you know how baffling floor drain backups can be. As soon as you see water rising from your basement floor, it's safe to conclude there's a problem that needs to be corrected. Most people usually end that the floor drain has an issue which is not the case. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we believe that backups in a basement floor indicate a more severe underlying problem that calls for professional drain cleaning and repair.

Clogged Drain Lines & Floor Drain Backups

Many items go down your drains and toilet that can cause clogs and other related complications like backups, leaks, and pipe bursts. The floor drain is usually the lowest in your home, and the first-place wastewater will go if it can't flow to the main sewer line. As the main drain continues to back up, wastewater builds up in the pipe until it overflows out of the floor drain. If your home doesn't have a basement floor drain, clogs can lead to backups in the lowest fixtures, such as sinks, ground-level tubs, or showers.

Our Customers Reviews

Larry R.

Howell Township, NJ

It was a late Saturday night. We had a super stubborn clog in some old galvanized pipes. Mr. Rooter send out Phil. Phil was great! He found the problem pretty quick. With determination and professionalism he final got it cleared out. I would recommend Mr. Rooter and Phil to anyone! He even cleaned up. We are so happy we choose Mr. Rooter!

Rose Bernard

Red Bank, NJ

We had a plumbing emergency and found Mr. Rooter while frantically searching for a 24-hour plumber. We feel like we hit a gold mine. Not only did we get a timely response. Everyone at Mr. Rooter was friendly, professional, competent and went above and beyond. Our plumber, Phil, was extremely helpful and gave us tips we could use moving firwars. Not to mention, the cost was extremely reasonable.

Joseph Chis

Hillsborough, NJ

Had sewer water backup in toilet and tub. Received callback as promised and arrived early. The tech determined we needed the main line to be cleared. He quickly located the opening and had us cleared in minutes. Very happy with the service. I was not prepared for the fee but it was an emergency.

Christopher Cox

Little Silver Township

Plumber, Phil, came out on short notice on a Saturday night and fixed our issue quickly, professionally and courteously. I contacted a different, well known plumbing company right before Mr. Rooter. The receptionist was rude and they didn’t call me back to say they couldn’t make it until after Phil left! The Mr. Rooter receptionist was very nice and they called me back quickly. I’m glad they did.

Debbie Dimitrion

Colts Neck, NJ

I just wanted to say James did a great job at my house. Excellent service, professional and very nice. Thank you so much for helping me with my plumbing problem. Did wonderful job.

Rachel Turunen

Jackson Township

I was very happy that I went with Mr. Rooter’s. The service was very quick and up front. Jessie James was very helpful answering my questions and replacing my hot water heater. He was pleasurable to do business with. If another problem arises in my home, I will be using this company again.

William Holden

Brick Township, NJ

A thorough, professional, pleasant experience. I had a back-up in the 50 year-old pipes of my new home. I called Mr. Rooter to have them locate the blockage, snake the line, and then use their video snake to get a visual of the integrity of the pipes. I’m glad that I called and will use them again for future needs.

LarJ MarJ

Oakhurst, NJ

You get what you pay for. Edwin Robles of Central NJ educated me as a 1st time homebuyer on why and what he was repairing, prevention, PROMPT,(on a sunday at that!) clean, knowledgeable, super professional but DOWN TO EARTH and at a REASONABLE PRICE! Sewer pipes unclogged and main water line fixed. I was no longer crying once job was thoroughly executed. After all $#@* $tinks but somebody has to do it and I HIGHLY recommend him and this company for a job well done. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Margie Rafferty-Criscione

Ocean Township

Absolutely lovely office staff! I always knew when the repair person was coming. Lorenzo our repair guy was awesome, I really don't think there is anything he can't do. He looks young, but don't let that fool you! So happy all the repairs are behind us. We really just did a one-stop shopping and decided to have everything we've put off fixed because it was such a tremendous experience!

Why Is My Floor Drain Backing Up?

Several things can cause stagnant water in the basement, so hiring an expert plumber can help pinpoint the cause of the problem before it gets out of hand. We leverage state-of-the-art equipment to enhance the quality of drain services and alleviate the cause of the backups before it takes a considerable chunk of your finances. Here are some of the recommended solutions for homeowners dealing with drain backups.

Sewer Line Clogs

There are instances when floor drains back up because of a clog deep in your home's plumbing, like the sewer line. Sewer line clogs are similar to drain line clogs because both prevent wastewater flow. If wastewater has nowhere to go, it will back up in the nearest release point, the lowest drain in your home, or a floor drain. The most effective solution to mitigating clog issues is hiring a plumber to conduct regular drain cleaning and maintenance. We provide hydro-jetting services to alleviate any blockage from your drain lines, preventing subsequent problems like backup, foul odor, and costly repairs.

Sewer Line Damage

There are times when a clog has nothing to do with a backup in the floor drains, especially when the sewer line is sagging, bellied, or collapsed. When clogs do not cause floor drain backups, sewer lines with holes or cracks, and tree roots have infiltrated or misaligned the sewer line. These circumstances present themselves like a clog that acts as a blockage and forces wastewater into your home.

A damaged sewer line requires more work compared to repairing a clog. That's why it is crucial to hire a reputable drain cleaning company for routine maintenance to alleviate any potential risks that compromise the efficiency of your plumbing. If you notice a slight deterioration in the performance of your plumbing, Mr. Rooter, Plumber of New Jersey, can help. Call us today and schedule an appointment with our professional plumber.

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