Foundation Crack Repair: Which Cracks Need Waterproofing vs Structural Repair?
A crack in your foundation can be either a small waterproofing issue… or the first warning sign of structural movement.
December 25, 2025
McDowell Drain & Waterproofing | Fast drain cleaning for tubs, kitchens, bathrooms & main lines (Old Town, Virgil, St. Davids, Queenston, Glendale & nearby)
A clogged drain never happens at a “convenient time.” It’s always right before guests arrive, right before work, or right when you’re holding a plunger like it’s a championship trophy. If you’re dealing with slow drainage, standing water, gurgling, or backups, McDowell Drain & Waterproofing provides professional clogged drain services in Niagara-on-the-Lake with a focus on speed, cleanliness, and permanent results.
We don’t just “poke it and hope.” We clear the blockage, identify what caused it, and recommend the best next step—whether it’s a one-time cleanout, root removal, hydro jetting, or a camera inspection if the problem keeps returning.
Need clogged drain service in NOTL? We clear:
Same-day relief in many cases. If the issue is recurring, we can escalate to camera inspection and long-term repair options.
NOTL has a mix of historic homes, mature trees, and varied plumbing setups. That creates some predictable drain patterns:
1) Older pipes + buildup over time
Even if you’re careful, years of soap, grease, and minerals gradually narrow pipes. Water still flows… until it suddenly doesn’t.
2) Grease and “kitchen sludge”
In busy kitchens—especially around holidays, gatherings, and wine-country hosting—grease, oils, and food scraps build up like plaque in an artery. (Not a cute comparison, but accurate.)
3) Hair + soap scum in bathtubs and showers
Bathtub clogs are often a combination of hair, body oils, and soap scum that forms a thick plug. Store drain openers often melt a small hole through it, but leave the rest—so it comes back.
4) Root intrusion (especially in mature neighborhoods)
If clogs keep returning, mature trees can be a culprit. Roots seek moisture and can enter tiny gaps in pipes, creating recurring snag points underground.
This helps you avoid wasting money on the wrong service.
If only ONE fixture is slow (usually a local clog)
✅ Most likely a localized clog in that branch line.
Best service: targeted drain snaking/cleaning.
If MULTIPLE fixtures are slow or backing up (usually a main line issue)
⚠️ More likely a main drain / sewer line clog.
Best service: main line cleaning + possible camera inspection.
1) Bathtub & Shower Drain Unclogging (Hair + Soap Scum Specialists)
Common symptoms:
Common causes:
How we clear it:
Why homeowners call us: because tubs clog repeatedly when the clog isn’t removed fully—especially in households with long hair (your tub is not a hair salon trash bin… but it keeps trying).
2) Kitchen Sink Clog Removal (Grease, Food, and the “Garbage Disposal Myth”)
Kitchen drains clog for one main reason: grease + food + time.
Common symptoms:
Common causes:
How we clear it:
Pro tip (worth money): If your sink clogs often, it’s usually not “bad luck.” It’s a drain line that’s narrowed by buildup—and needs proper cleaning, not just plunging.
3) Bathroom Sink & Toilet Clogs (Fast Fix, Clean Work)
Bathroom sink clogs are usually:
We clear the clog with the correct method so you don’t risk damaging your fixtures or pushing the blockage deeper.
4) Main Drain Cleaning (When Everything Is Backing Up)
Main drain issues are serious because they can trigger:
Our approach:
This is the service you want if your home feels like it’s “clogged as a system.”
5) Hydro Jetting (For Heavy Buildup and Stubborn Lines)
When a line is heavily coated with grease, sludge, or scale, snaking may poke through but leave buildup behind.
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clean the pipe walls more thoroughly.
Best for:
6) Sewer Camera Inspection (When Clogs Keep Coming Back)
If you’ve cleared the drain multiple times and it returns, the “why” matters.
Camera inspection helps identify:
This is how we stop the cycle of repeat clogs and move from “quick fix” to “permanent fix.”
Area: Virgil (L0S 1J0)
Problem: Homeowner had recurring kitchen sink backups, especially after cooking-heavy weekends. Plunging worked temporarily, but the clog returned every few weeks.
What we found
What we did
Result
This is the difference between “temporary relief” and “proper drain cleaning.”
Clogs don’t just annoy you—they can lead to:
Professional drain clearing is often the cheapest way to avoid bigger repairs later—especially when done before a small clog becomes a full backup.
Homeowners call us because they want:
You get:
We treat clogged drains like what they really are: a symptom. Our job is to remove the symptom and help prevent the repeat.
In many cases, yes—especially if it’s a hair/soap scum clog in the tub line.
Usually because the clog wasn’t fully removed—store chemicals often leave buildup behind.
Yes. Slow drains often mean buildup is forming. Clearing it early prevents a full backup.
Multiple fixtures are slow/backing up, gurgling across the home, or basement floor drain backup.
Yes—when buildup is heavy and the pipe is structurally sound, jetting can restore flow capacity.
It’s usually not recommended. They can damage pipes and don’t solve structural issues like roots or sags.
Often main line restrictions or surcharge conditions. We diagnose and clear the correct line.
Yes. If clogs are frequent, camera inspection can confirm root intrusion.
Many clogs can be cleared quickly, but timing depends on severity and whether it’s a branch line or main line.
Yes—professional drain cleaning uses the right tools for the right drain type.
If you need bathtub unclogging, kitchen sink drain cleaning, bathroom drain clearing, or main drain unclogging in Niagara-on-the-Lake, contact McDowell Drain & Waterproofing for fast, professional service.
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