Stop running water anywhere in the house, do not flush, and keep people and pets away from any sewage. Then call (580) 555-0123 and tell us which drains are affected. We tell you on the call how soon a tech can get there and the typical price range.
What to do in the next 10 minutes
- Stop the water. Turn off the washer and dishwasher, stop showers and do not flush. Every gallon you use has nowhere to go but up through the lowest drain.
- Stop an overflowing toilet. Turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise until it stops, or lift the float in the tank to stop the fill.
- Check the outdoor cleanout. If you can safely unscrew the cap a little and water is standing in the pipe, the blockage is between the cleanout and the street. If the cleanout is dry, the blockage is inside the house. This helps the tech bring the right equipment.
- Keep clear of sewage. Sewage carries bacteria and viruses. Keep children and pets out of the area, wear rubber gloves and boots if you must move things, and wash hands well.
- Skip chemical drain cleaners. They will not clear a main line blockage, and they make the backed-up water hazardous for you and the tech.
- Call (580) 555-0123. Tell us which fixtures are affected, when it started and whether you have a cleanout.
Is it an emergency or can it wait until morning?
| Situation | Call now? |
|---|---|
| Sewage coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet | Yes. The main line is blocked and it will get worse with any water use. |
| Toilet overflowing and it is the only toilet in the house | Yes. |
| Several drains slow but nothing overflowing | Soon. Stop using water and call; it can often be scheduled for the next morning. |
| One slow sink or tub | Usually not. Try a plunger first; see drain cleaning in Enid for simple fixes. |
| Neighbors on your street also backing up | Call the City of Enid. That points to a problem in the public sewer main. |
Emergency drain cleaning cost
Calls outside normal business hours cost more almost everywhere. Published 2026 cost guides commonly put after-hours drain work at about 1.5 to 2 times the daytime price, or a flat surcharge of roughly $100 to $300. If the problem can safely wait until morning, waiting usually saves money. If sewage is coming into the house, it is usually not worth the wait. The daytime ranges are on drain cleaning cost in Enid.
What the tech does on an emergency call
The first job is to get the line flowing again so the house can use water. That is usually a cable machine with a root-cutting head through the cleanout, which handles most main line blockages in Enid. Once the line is open, the tech checks whether this was a one-off clog or a sign of something bigger, like roots throughout the line or a broken section. If it looks like the second, a camera inspection can be booked for a daytime visit so you are not paying after-hours rates for it.
Cleaning up after a sewage backup
- Open windows and run fans, but keep the HVAC off if the backup reached ducts or a furnace area.
- Throw out porous items soaked with sewage, such as rugs, cardboard and upholstered furniture, unless a restoration company says otherwise.
- Clean hard surfaces with detergent and water, then disinfect them.
- Photograph the damage before you clean up, for any insurance claim. Many standard homeowner policies exclude sewer backup unless you added that coverage, so check your policy.
- For large backups, a water damage restoration company is the safer choice.
Storms and backups
If the backup started during or right after heavy rain, the cause may be storm water in the sewer rather than a clog in your line. Clearing your line will not fix that. Read why the sewer backs up when it rains for what helps.
Emergency drain questions
Can I keep using the toilet if only the tub is backing up?
No. If the tub fills when the toilet is flushed, the main line is blocked and toilet water is coming up through the tub. Stop all water use until the line is cleared.
How do I know if it is the city sewer or my line?
If neighbors are backing up too, or a manhole in the street is overflowing, the public sewer is the likely problem and the City of Enid should be called. If only your house is affected, the blockage is most likely in your own line.
Is a backed-up floor drain dangerous?
Sewage carries germs that can make people sick. Keep children and pets away, avoid skin contact, and do not use the area until it has been cleaned and disinfected.
Should I pour bleach into the backed-up drain?
No. Bleach will not clear the blockage, and mixing it with other drain chemicals can release dangerous fumes. Use disinfectant on surfaces after the line has been cleared.