
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.
Facing a clogged drain in St. Catharines? Don't wait until a minor annoyance turns into major water damage. McDowell Drain & Waterproofing provides professional, fast, and reliable clogged drain services in St. Catharines and the Niagara Region. With over 45 years of hands-on expertise, we’re your trusted team for clearing blocked drains, drain repair & replacement, kitchen sinks, and more.
We proudly serve all of St. Catharines, including Port Dalhousie, Glenridge, Merritton, and beyond. Whether it’s a slow-draining tub or a full sewer backup, our experienced technicians respond 24/7 to protect your home and business with services like basement waterproofing.
As a Google Guaranteed and fully licensed contractor, McDowell Drain Services brings real professionalism and clear communication to every clogged drain job in St. Catharines. Whether you need help with window well windows, water proofing of basement, or a sudden drainage emergency, we make sure the entire process stays smooth from the first call to the final cleanup — no hidden costs, no surprises, and no mess left behind.
Clogged drain service in St. Catharines covers the diagnosis, clearing, and prevention of blockages in sinks, tubs, floor drains, and main sewer lines. We use cutting-edge tools like hydro jetters, motorized snakes, and video cameras to clear clogs and keep your pipes healthy for years to come. Along with this, services such as sewer camera inspection backwater valve installation, and interior basement waterproofing help ensure long-term protection.
Don’t ignore these signs — McDowell offers 24/7 emergency drain cleaning in St. Catharines to prevent sewage backups and protect your property.
Hydro jetting scours pipe walls clean, removing all buildup.
Remove trapped waste that causes foul smells and health risks
Prevent flooding, water damage, and costly pipe replacements.
24/7 clogged drain clearing services when you need them most.
Avoid recurring clogs and enjoy smoother plumbing performance.
Services Offered
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Breaks through hair, grease, and soap clogs fast.
Ideal for minor blockages in bathrooms and kitchens.
Blasts away grease, roots, and heavy sediment.
Ideal for stubborn clogs and full sewer line cleanings.
Pinpoints hidden issues like broken pipes, roots, and buildup.
Essential for long-term drain health and proper treatment.
Quick removal of clogs just beneath sinks and vanities.
We follow a proven method to clear your St. Catharines drains:
Often we start with a camera scan to see the clog’s location and cause. This avoids guesswork and helps us choose the right tool.
For simple clogs, we use a motorized auger or snake to bite through the blockage. For tough grease, roots, or sediments, we bring in our high-pressure hydro-jetter – a specialized nozzle that blasts water to scour pipe walls clean.
We carefully push or jet the clog through until the line is open. This may involve several passes to ensure all debris is gone.
After clearing, we flush the drain or run camera again to confirm a clear pipe. We also test run water in all affected fixtures to ensure normal flow.
We clean the work area and dispose of waste properly. Finally, we share tips on maintenance (like monthly hot water flushes, drain traps, or root control) to keep your drains clear longer.
At McDowell Drain Services, clogged drains aren’t just another job — they are our specialty. Here’s why St. Catharines homeowners and businesses trust us above the rest:
We bring decades of hands-on experience solving every type of clog, from bathroom sink blockages to full sewer backups. No guesswork — only expert solutions.
We’ve successfully completed over 3,500 drainage and waterproofing projects across the region—earning the trust of homeowners and businesses alike.
Our work and reputation have been fully vetted by Google. You get peace of mind knowing you're hiring a trusted, transparent, and top-rated company.
Drain disasters don't follow a schedule — neither do we. We offer fast, professional clogged drain clearing in St. Catharines day or night, weekends and holidays.
We invest in the latest hydro jetting equipment, drain cameras, root cutters, and snaking systems. Whatever your drain issue, we have the specialized tools to fix it right.
No surprises here. Before we start, we explain the cause, solution, and exact cost. Our goal is to deliver affordable, lasting relief without the upsells or hidden fees.
No matter the cause or location of your clogged drain, McDowell Drain Services has the tools, skills, and experience to clear it — fast and safely. In St. Catharines, where both old clay sewer systems and newer PVC pipes exist, we adapt our solutions to fit your exact situation.
Here’s how we handle all types of drain problems across St. Catharines:
Caused by grease, food scraps, and soap buildup.
We use motorized drain snakes and hydro jetting to dissolve greasy blockages and restore free-flowing pipes.
Hair, soap scum, and toothpaste buildup are common in homes from Glenridge to Port Dalhousie.
Hair, soap scum, and toothpaste buildup are common in homes from Glenridge to Port Dalhousie.
“Flushable” wipes, roots, and debris can choke your main sewer line.
We offer sewer snaking, root cutting, and hydro jetting services in St. Catharines to fully clear and clean the line
Mud, leaves, sediment, and washing machine lint can clog floor drains, especially in older basements.
Our hydro jetting and drain clearing methods prevent messy basement floods and water backups.
St. Catharines’ beautiful mature trees can invade underground pipes, especially in areas like Merritton and Port Weller.
Our specialized root cutting equipment safely removes invasive roots without needing to dig up your yard.
Heavy rains can overwhelm outdoor drains clogged with dirt and debris.
We clean and flush outdoor storm drains to protect your property from water damage.
Don’t wait until a clog becomes a full-blown flood. Trust McDowell Drain Services for fast, expert clogged drain cleaning across St. Catharines and the Niagara Region.
Call (289) 407-2400 now or visit mcdowelldrain.ca to book your drain service.
Want to see the kind of work we do? Hear what real St Catharines homeowners have to say? Check out our verified Google listings: Mcdowell Drain Services St Catharines
Late on a Saturday night, a homeowner in Downtown St. Catharines (near Church Street) noticed water gurgling up from the basement floor drain. Within an hour, sewage started backing up into their laundry room — a classic case of a main sewer line clog caused by tree root intrusion.
The property was an older brick home (over 60 years old) with fragile clay sewer pipes — common in heritage neighborhoods like Downtown St. Catharines and Merritton. Traditional snaking methods might temporarily clear the clog, but the roots would grow back. They needed a permanent solution, fast, to prevent a costly flood.
McDowell Drain Services dispatched our emergency response team immediately. Here’s how we tackled it:
“McDowell Drain saved our home! They arrived in less than 45 minutes, explained every step, and didn’t leave until our drains were flowing perfectly. Professional, fair, and genuinely caring. Highly recommend them if you have a clogged drain in St. Catharines!”
Posted on Mark SwanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a sewer backup and pipe failure (the pipe is exposed in the basement, so we had sewage all over our basement). I called McDowell Drain Services based on other reviews, and he had sewerline camera equipment. Stuart McDowell, the owner, was at our house the next day to do a temporary fix on the pipe. The pipe had to be replaced, including a section of pipe outside of the house. He showed me the camera view from inside the pipe that confirmed the extent of the outside repair/replacement, to about 1.5m from the face of the building. His team came on the agreed-upon day and time. The team worked very hard and did an excellent job, including cleanup, all in a day, thus limiting downtime for our use of the sewer. I recommend McDowell Drain Services based on our experience.Posted on Antal AbelTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart and his team are the best. They are the only plumbers in all of Niagara to offer trenchless drain replacement saving me thousands on digging up my front lawn. He has also installed a sump pump system in my basement as well as a full bathroom rough-in and waste pump. The work was done professionally and in a timely manner. Stuart is quick to respond to my queries and takes pride in his work. There is no question- Stuart is the first guy I call if I ever have a plumbing issue, big or small!Posted on Chris MansurTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. McDowell Drain & Waterproofing is my go-to company for any drainage issues. I wouldn’t call anyone else. This is now the second time I’ve used their services and both times the service was exceptional. Stuart is one of the nicest and most honest, knowledgeable, and reliable professionals I’ve ever dealt with. Both times that I had flooding issues, he was quick to respond, gave very reasonable quotes, finished on time, and provided services that exceeded my expectations. He also ensured I was happy with the service at the end. I’ve even had other contractors on unrelated issues tell me how good the quality of work is with the water mitigation system that he installed. 5/5 stars!Posted on Adina AslamTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart was so helpful form the start. He not only gave me an accurate quote over the phone, but also followed through and charged me the exact amount that was quoted initially while other companies would charge a service fee to even come out and look at the issue. He provided same day service. He spent several hours in fixing the kitchen drain and cleaning it out, but charged a very low amount for his labour. He sent me photos of the issue, kept calling me throughout the process to explain the steps he was taking to fix it and then cleaned up before he left. It was a really tough mess stuck in the pipes that would’ve cost me twice to get it cleaned by someone else. I appreciate the honesty and excellent customer service he provided me with throughout the process. I can’t say enough good things about him. I will for sure be calling Stuart for any of the future plumbing needs. Thankyou for resolving this issue promptly and doing it so professionallyPosted on Ryan SicilianoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a sewage issue and Stuart quickly answered the call and cleared the pipes. He then quickly located the problem. He assured me that he would soon have a crew out to resolve the issue. He told me I could call him if anything came up before workers arrived. Contacted me on which was a Sunday and said a crew would be out Monday morning which they were! Where the sewer needed to be replaced was below my porch into the basement. The crew Alek and Igor dug by hand. This was even more laborious job due to the thick clay in our area. The job was completed and work site cleaned up impeccably. I am thankful to Stuart for his immediate attention and honest assessment! Also for the great crew he provided. They were professional, respectful and cheerful through the duration of the grueling and unpleasant work they have to deal with. Thank you so much!! Update...Called Stuart as having sewer smell in basement. He came over immediately and found the issue. There was no cap on a drain from a previous installation that he hadn't done. Stuart went out to Home Depot purchased a drain cover, returned and replaced it! His immediate responses and kindness go above and beyond! I am so very grateful! Gaye SicilianoPosted on Lynn HarrisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RESPONSIVE. KNOWLEDGEABLE. AFFORDABLE. AMAZING. I chose McDowell Drain and Waterproofing based on reviews, and I am happy to say I had the same great experience as many others! Stuart is a true pro - responded to our request right away, and came out the next day. He explained everything and showed images of the issue, and within the week his crew was working on our drain repair. His crew was amazing and went above and beyond our expectations. Highly recommended!Posted on Prabh SandeepTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend this waterproofing team in Niagara! They installed a sump pump and did exterior waterproofing using top-quality materials. Stu and his crew were knowledgeable, kind, and did an amazing job at a fair price. Thank you for saving our home!Posted on Prabhjot KaurTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best waterproofing contractors in the niagara region. They installed sump pump in my house in niagara and also did exterior waterproofing, they used high quality products and team was very compassionate and knowledgeable. They are expert at what they do, thank you stu for amazing work you did, you really saved us at a very reasonable price.Posted on Orma BleeksTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart and his crew highly efficient, explained the process, dealt with complications at no extra cost and my lawn looks better than it did before. Also the least expensive quote. A true professional who takes pride in his work.Posted on Bones380Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart went above and beyond for me. It was a delight to work with an honest contractor for a change. He and his team were tidy, punctual and fast! As a bonus, he gave me the best quote! Highly, highly recommend McDowell Drain & Waterproofing.

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We offer 24/7 emergency service in St. Catharines — usually arriving within an hour for urgent calls.