Frequently asked questions

We recommend professional drain cleaning at least once a year for residential properties. If you have a large household, cook frequently with grease, or have older pipes, every six months is better. Commercial kitchens should schedule quarterly cleaning.

Watch for slow drainage in sinks or showers, gurgling sounds from drains, water backing up, unpleasant odours, or multiple drains clogging at the same time. Any of these means it is time to call a professional.

We strongly advise against it. Chemical drain cleaners contain harsh acids or lye that corrode your pipes over time, especially older cast iron or PVC. They also only dissolve part of the clog, leaving residue that causes future blockages faster.

Drain snaking uses a flexible metal cable to physically break through a blockage, and is effective for most household clogs. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water, up to 4,000 PSI, to completely scour the inside of the pipe, removing grease, scale and root intrusion. Hydro jetting is more thorough and is recommended for recurring clogs or commercial properties.

We use trenchless repair technology wherever possible. That includes pipe relining, which inserts a new liner inside the old pipe, and pipe bursting, which pulls a new pipe through while breaking apart the old one. Both need minimal excavation, usually just a small access point, and can often be completed in a single day.

Minor repairs such as patching a cracked section take two to four hours. Full pipe relining typically takes four to eight hours. Traditional excavation repairs depend on the depth and length of the pipe but usually take one to two days. We give you a precise timeline after the CCTV inspection.

The most common causes are tree root intrusion, ground shifting or settling, corrosion in older cast iron or clay pipes, physical damage from construction or heavy vehicles, and freeze-thaw cycles that stress the pipe material.

Yes. Pipe relining is warranted for 15 to 25 years. Traditional excavation repairs carry a 10-year warranty on materials and workmanship. Emergency patch repairs are warranted for one year. All warranties are in writing.

A waterproof camera on a flexible cable is fed into your drain or sewer line. It transmits live video to a monitor, letting our technician see the exact condition of your pipes — blockages, cracks, root intrusion, collapse or scale build-up — without any digging.

If you have recurring clogs, slow drainage that does not respond to cleaning, sewage odours, unexplained wet patches in your yard, or you are buying a home or starting a renovation involving the drain system. It is also standard practice before any major repair.

Most residential CCTV inspections take 30 to 60 minutes. You get a full report including video footage and a written diagnosis.

Always. Every customer gets a copy of the inspection video and a written report detailing our findings and recommended next steps. You own the footage.

A backwater valve is installed on your main sewer line. It lets sewage flow out of your home but closes automatically if the city sewer becomes overwhelmed during heavy rain, preventing sewage backing up into your basement. If you have ever had basement flooding or a sewage backup, you need one.

Yes. The City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program offers up to $3,400 toward the cost of a backwater valve installation. We can help with the application and make sure the installation meets city requirements for the subsidy.

It depends on your basement size, water table level and how much water your sump pit collects. Most homes need a one-third to one-half horsepower pump. We assess your situation and recommend the right pump with an appropriate backup system.

Test it yourself every three to four months by pouring water into the pit to trigger the float switch. A full professional service — cleaning the pit, checking the float, testing the discharge line and inspecting the backup battery — should be done annually, ideally before spring.