
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.
Drain Repair in St. Catharines refers to finding and fixing damaged, leaking, or collapsed sewer and drain lines to restore safe and efficient plumbing. Many homes in St. Catharines still rely on aging clay, cast iron, or corroded pipes prone to failure.
At McDowell Drain Services, we use advanced video camera inspections to locate cracks, root intrusion, corrosion, or breaks. Then we apply the right solution — whether that’s targeted drain repair & replacement St Catharines, replacement, or reinforcement to keep your system running smoothly.
Watch for these warning signs that your St. Catharines drain system may be compromised:
Need other local services? Check out our backwater valve installation in St. Catharines and interior basement waterproofing in St. Catharines for complete protection against basement flooding.
St. Catharines’ beautiful trees and heavy Niagara rainfall create tough drainage problems:
We perform high-resolution sewer camera inspections to catch hidden issues others might miss.
Our trenchless technology (like pipe bursting and CIPP lining) restores pipes with minimal mess — ideal for preserving beautiful St. Catharines gardens!
Fixing minor pipe issues now prevents major water damage, foundation erosion, and expensive emergency repairs.
Sealing cracks and removing blockages prevents sewage leaks, keeping your indoor air clean and safe.
We’re Google Guaranteed, fully licensed, and insured — trusted for over 45 years across the Niagara region.
Up to 20 years warranty on full underground drain replacements.
Trenchless sewer repair St. Catharines, no dig sewer replacement St. Catharines
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Using HD cameras, we locate blockages, cracks, or root intrusions with precision.
We explain your options clearly — from minor spot repairs to trenchless replacement — along with upfront pricing.
Our trained crews complete either excavation, lining, or pipe bursting work using specialized equipment, depending on severity
We re-inspect with cameras and conduct water tests to confirm a clear, leak-free pipe.
After repairing, we backfill, restore landscaping as needed, and give maintenance advice to keep your pipes flowing.
At McDowell Drain Services, we proudly provide expert drain repair and replacement services across all neighborhoods of St. Catharines, including:
Wherever you are in St. Catharines — from the lakeshore to the escarpment — McDowell Drain Services is your trusted local expert for reliable, affordable drain repair and sewer replacement solutions.
We've repaired thousands of drains and sewer lines across Thorold and Niagara. Our depth of experience means faster diagnoses, better solutions, and fewer disruptions for you.
We’ve successfully completed over 3,500 drainage and waterproofing projects across the region—earning the trust of homeowners and businesses alike.
We’re not a franchise — we're proudly independent and locally based. That means Thorold-first service, fair pricing, and technicians who genuinely care about our community.
Your peace of mind is priceless. We're fully certified, insured, and vetted by Google for service quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction.
We give upfront quotes — no surprise fees. Plus, we back our drain repairs and sewer replacements with warranties of up to 20 years for added confidence.
Don’t wait for a small drain issue to become a big disaster!
Call McDowell Drain Services today at (289) 407-2400 for fast, professional drain repair and replacement in St. Catharines — or book online at mcdowelldrain.ca.
Get your plumbing flowing the right way, right now!
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
A family in Port Dalhousie faced repeated sewer backups after storms. Our inspection revealed root infiltration and collapsed clay piping.
Another happy St. Catharines family secured their home thanks to McDowell’s fast, professional response.
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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