Slow drain, recurring clog, blocked toilet or sewer backup? Our licensed Ottawa team uses professional drain-cleaning equipment to locate and clear the problem properly. We provide drain snaking, camera inspections and hydro jetting when appropriate, along with complete residential plumbing service.
Choose the problem that sounds most like what you're seeing. Each option links to the most relevant drain or plumbing service available through John The Plumber.
Standing water, slow drainage or a sink that keeps backing up.
Drain Cleaning → 02 Toilet DrainToilet won't flush, fills too high or repeatedly becomes clogged.
Clogged Toilet Service → 03 Bath & ShowerWater pooling around your feet or taking too long to drain away.
Drain Cleaning → 04 Basement DrainWater or wastewater appearing in a basement floor drain.
Drain Cleaning → 05 Main DrainSeveral sinks, toilets, tubs or floor drains are affected at once.
Drain & Sewer Service → 06 Warning SignsStrange smells or bubbling sounds may point to a deeper drain issue.
Drain Inspection → 07 Recurring ProblemThe same drain keeps clogging even after it has been cleared.
Drain Cleaning → 08 Sewer LineRoot intrusion can restrict flow and cause repeated sewer backups.
Sewer Service →Every drain problem starts with the same question: where is the blockage, and what is causing it? Our Ottawa plumbing team identifies the type and location of the obstruction before recommending the appropriate drain-cleaning or sewer service.
Depending on what we find, the right solution may involve mechanical drain snaking, sewer-line cleaning, a camera inspection, hydro jetting or another targeted service. Hydro jetting is a professional cleaning method used to remove buildup from suitable drain and sewer pipes, but it is not automatically appropriate for every plumbing system.
Professional drain-snaking equipment can break through and remove many common household clogs caused by hair, paper, debris and other obstructions.
Drain Cleaning →When several drains are affected at once, the blockage may be located farther down the main sewer line rather than at an individual fixture.
Sewer Service →A camera inspection can help locate recurring blockages, root intrusion, damaged sections of pipe and other problems hidden inside the drainage system.
Plumbing Inspections →Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clean grease, sludge and accumulated buildup from suitable drain and sewer pipes when this cleaning method is appropriate.
Drain Cleaning →Tree roots can enter sewer lines through damaged joints or openings and gradually restrict wastewater flow. Professional cleaning can remove the immediate obstruction so the pipe can be assessed.
Sewer Cleaning →Toilets that repeatedly clog, fill too high or stop flushing may have an obstruction inside the fixture or farther along the drain line.
Clogged Toilet Service →If an inspection reveals cracked, deteriorated or damaged piping, our licensed plumbers can explain the repair options available for the affected section.
Pipe Repairs →Backwater valves help reduce the risk of wastewater flowing backward into the home. Our team can inspect, service and install these protective plumbing devices.
Backwater Valve Service →We start by understanding the symptoms, then work through the drainage system step by step so the recommended service matches the actual problem.
Discuss the symptoms and affected fixtures.
Inspect the drain and determine the likely blockage location.
Recommend snaking, camera inspection, hydro jetting or repair.
Clear the blockage, test drainage and explain what was found.
From clogged kitchen sinks and toilets to sewer drain cleaning, Ottawa homeowners continue to recommend John The Plumber for friendly service, clear explanations and professional workmanship.
Garrett came to clean a couple of our drains and fix a faucet this week. He was professional, friendly, good with our two rescue dogs (one who is not so good with strangers), and explained everything before starting in on the work. Garrett worked quickly and quietly, and cleaned everything up before he left. Our drains and faucet work well now and we are thrilled. Thank you to John The Plumber and to Garrett!
Jeff and Garrett are an absolute hoot. We talked about dogs and compared our fluffy loves. On top of that they are both super knowledgeable and prepared to answer any questions as well as explain the work needed. I was so relieved that I could get my drain looked after in the same day. I placed a call at around 1:30pm and all done by 4pm. Cleaning up my kitchen with peace of mind that the drain wasn’t going to overflow again!
Geoff and Dawson were very prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, capable, quick and tidy. They showed us a view of the cleared drain, explained what had happened and suggested what we could do to help avoid future problems of the same sort. All in all a very positive experience. I would highly recommend them.
We had a clogged toilet that I could not unclogg after an hour of trying. John the Plumber was easy to get a hold and I was able to book an appointment right away. Tim arrived promptly. He was very courteous and professional. He removed his shoes in the house and wore a mask at all times. He fixed the issue without a problem and cleaned up the mess caused by the problem. I would recommend John the Plumber without hesitation.
This was our first experience working with John the Plumber. Great overall. Super responsive answering and booking service, which is ideal when you’ve got a blocked kitchen sink heading into a long weekend!
Our plumber was named Jordan; he gave me a 15 min warning of his arrival (which was nice), was efficient, kind and transparent about the process and what he found. A great service!
After a quick scheduling call, their plumber showed up the next day exactly when expected and made very quick work of my very clogged sewer drain. Dawson explained the work to be done and gave me a estimate within minutes of seeing the situation. He was finished in a little over an hour and left the site cleaner than he found it. Easily met and exceeded my expectations.
Drain cleaning is the main focus of this Ottawa service page, but John The Plumber also provides complete residential plumbing support when the problem goes beyond a clog. From leaks and toilet repairs to water heaters, sump pumps and emergency plumbing, our licensed team can help with the rest of your home’s plumbing system too.
Help for leaking pipes, fixtures and hidden plumbing problems before water damage gets worse.
Leak Detection & Repair →Running toilets, weak flushing, leaks and other everyday toilet problems.
Toilet Repair →Sump pump installation and replacement to help protect basements from unwanted water.
Sump Pump Service →Protective plumbing designed to help reduce the risk of sewage flowing back into the home.
Backwater Valve Service →Repairs and retrofits for leaking, damaged or aging residential plumbing lines.
Pipe Repairs & Retrofits →Water heater repair, replacement and installation for dependable hot water throughout the home.
Water Heater Service →Professional faucet and fixture installation for kitchens, bathrooms and other plumbing upgrades.
Fixture Installation →Fast help for urgent leaks, backups, pipe failures and other plumbing emergencies across Ottawa.
Emergency Plumbing →John The Plumber & Drain Cleaning is located in Ottawa West and provides professional drain and sewer service throughout Ottawa.
Our local plumbers serve homeowners throughout Ottawa West and surrounding communities, with drain cleaning, clogged drain service and sewer solutions available across the city where service is provided.
Not sure if we service your neighbourhood? Call 613-686-1971 and our team can help.
A slow or blocked drain has a way of creeping up on you. What starts as water draining a little slower than usual can turn into a fully backed-up sink, tub, or floor drain before long. We see it regularly here in Ottawa West.
When we came out to help a homeowner with a blocked kitchen drain, the issue was a significant buildup inside the line. Grease, soap residue, and debris had narrowed the pipe to the point where water had nowhere to go. We cleared the blockage fully and made sure the drain was flowing the way it should before we left.
Drain cleaning is one of those jobs that is easy to put off. But a partial blockage puts pressure on your pipes and can lead to bigger problems down the road. Getting it dealt with early is almost always the simpler fix.
We work on kitchen drains, bathroom drains, laundry drains, and floor drains. Older homes across Ottawa West often have buildup that has been sitting in the lines for years. We have the equipment to clear it properly, not just punch a hole through it and call it done.
If a drain in your home has been giving you trouble, give John The Plumber a call at 613-686-1971 and we will come take a look.
The floor drain cover was already off when we arrived. That told us everything. A homeowner in McKellar Park was dealing with a fully blocked main drain, and things had gotten to the point where waiting wasn't really an option anymore.
You can see it in the photo: the drain open in the utility room floor, the drain cleaning machine set up right beside it with the cable snaking in, and the work light making sure we could see exactly what we were doing. Tight space, older tile, chest freezer pushed into the corner. A pretty typical McKellar Park basement utility setup.
We cleared the main drain clog and then followed it up with a sewer camera inspection so the homeowner could actually see the condition of the line. No guessing. We ran the camera through and checked for any buildup, root intrusion, or pipe damage further down. The line looked good once it was clear, which is always good news.
Cleaning the clog fixes today's problem. The camera inspection is about making sure there isn't a bigger issue quietly developing. We like giving homeowners that full picture.
If your main drain is backing up or your basement floor drain is giving you trouble, we're easy to reach at 613-686-1971.
The basement floor drain had backed up, and the photo tells the story pretty clearly. A grimy, tile-walled utility area with debris pooled around a steel floor drain cover. Not something you want sitting like that for long.
A homeowner in Ottawa West reached out, dealing with a drain that simply wasn't moving. We came in and ran a snake through both the kitchen sink line and the basement floor drain to break through whatever had built up inside. But we didn't stop there. We also put a camera down the line to see exactly what was going on inside the pipe.
The camera inspection confirmed the line was flowing after it was cleared. That matters more than it might sound.
That camera inspection matters. It tells us whether the blockage was the whole story or just part of it. Sometimes there's more going on deeper in the line, and it's worth knowing before a small backup turns into a bigger problem.
If your basement drain is slow or backing up, we're happy to come take a look. Reach us at 613-686-1971 and we'll sort it out.
A homeowner in Britannia Heights called us about a basement floor drain that had stopped draining completely. We got there quickly.
The first photo shows the floor drain area as we found it. Grime and buildup had collected around the drain in a basement bathroom. Not a small problem, but a familiar one.
We ran a camera down the main drain line to find out exactly what was going on. The second photo shows the camera inspection in progress, with the obstruction located approximately 8.6 feet into the line. That kind of finding matters. It tells you where to focus and means you are not guessing.
Once we knew what we were dealing with, we cleared the blockage. Camera confirmed the line was fully open before we left.
Basement floor drains are easy to overlook until they back up entirely. At that point, you want someone there fast. We are glad to take that call.
Job reference: #127486.
If a drain in your home is backing up or moving slowly, reach us at 613-686-1971 and we will take a look.
The cabinet under this kitchen sink was packed. A garbage disposal unit propped up on a small wooden stand, a P-trap snaking through black ABS pipe, braided supply lines, and a dishwasher drain hose all sharing a tight space. Somewhere in that tangle, the kitchen sink had stopped draining properly.
We got the call from a homeowner in Ottawa West. The clog was sitting in the kitchen sink drain line, and with a disposal unit in the mix, it takes a bit more care to sort out. We worked through the drain to clear the blockage and got everything flowing the way it should.
One thing worth noting from the photo: that disposal is resting on a makeshift wooden support rather than being properly mounted. It's the kind of thing that can cause issues down the road, vibration, shifting, even leaks at the connection points. We flagged it for the homeowner so they're aware.
Kitchen drains take a beating. Grease, food bits, and soap buildup add up over time, especially on a line shared with a disposal. A clear drain makes a real difference in the day-to-day.
If your kitchen sink is backing up or draining slowly, give John The Plumber a call at 613-686-1971 and we'll come take a look.
That clump of debris coiled around the drain snake tells the whole story. A homeowner in Ottawa West called us about a bathtub that had completely stopped draining. The blockage was sitting in the basement line, so that's where we started.
The photo shows the snake being pulled back through the drain opening, and what came out with it is pretty telling. A thick, matted build-up wrapped right around the head of the cable. Hair, soap residue, and grime packed together over time until nothing was getting through.
We fed the snake down through the tub drain and worked it through until it caught the clog. Once we pulled it back, that was the culprit right there on the floor. Stubborn, but not unusual for a basement bathtub that sees regular use.
No damage to the pipes. No mess left behind. Just a drain that moves freely again the way it should.
These kinds of blockages tend to build gradually, so by the time standing water becomes obvious, the clog has usually been growing for a while. A drain snake gets right to it without any guesswork.
If you've got a tub, shower, or floor drain that's backing up anywhere in Ottawa West, we're easy to reach at 613-686-1971.
From slow drains and recurring clogs to sewer backups and camera inspections, these are some of the most common questions Ottawa homeowners ask about professional drain cleaning.
Same-day drain cleaning is often available throughout Ottawa, depending on scheduling and the location of the service call. If you have a slow drain, blocked toilet or active backup, call as soon as possible so our team can arrange the earliest available appointment.
Drain snaking uses mechanical equipment to break through or remove a blockage. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clean buildup from the inside of suitable drain and sewer pipes. Hydro jetting is a cleaning method and is not automatically appropriate for every drain.
A camera inspection may be recommended when a drain repeatedly clogs, the location of the blockage is unclear, or there are signs of root intrusion, damaged piping or a deeper sewer problem. Learn more about our plumbing inspection services.
Recurring drain blockages may be caused by grease, hair, soap residue, foreign objects, root intrusion or buildup farther down the line. In some cases, damaged or deteriorated piping may also contribute to repeated problems.
Yes. Tree roots can enter sewer lines through cracks, joints or damaged sections of pipe and gradually restrict wastewater flow. Professional sewer cleaning can remove the immediate obstruction, while a camera inspection can help assess the condition of the pipe.
If several drains are backing up at the same time, stop using water where possible and arrange professional service. Multiple affected fixtures can indicate a blockage in a shared drain or the main sewer line rather than a single sink or toilet.
Yes. John The Plumber provides emergency plumbing service for urgent drain and sewer problems, including backups, overflowing fixtures and other situations that may cause water or wastewater damage.
Drain-cleaning service is covered by a 30-day warranty. This drain-specific warranty should not be confused with warranty terms that may apply to other plumbing repairs or installations.
If water or wastewater is actively leaking, overflowing or backing up, avoid using affected fixtures and control the water source if it is safe to do so. For urgent help, contact our emergency plumber in Ottawa West and explain what is happening and whether the problem is getting worse.
Book John The Plumber & Drain Cleaning for a clogged drain, sewer backup, camera inspection or recurring drainage problem. Same-day appointments are available across Ottawa.
