
Top Benefits of Basement Waterproofing Homes
In St. Catharines, basements are a necessity of homes. They provide the added storage space, additional living areas, and even
Hidden pipe blockages and damage can turn your peaceful St. Catharines home into a costly headache. A sewer camera inspection (also called drain camera inspection, sewer scope, or pipe video inspection) lets you see exactly what’s wrong without tearing up your yard or driveway. At McDowell Drain Services, our RIDGID SeeSnake high-definition sewer camera and 45+ years of local expertise guarantee you a precise diagnosis and tailored solution.
● Precise Problem Location: A sewer inspection uses a flexible, waterproof camera head that records clear, real-time footage. No guesswork—whether it’s a grease clog under the kitchen sink, a fractured pipe joint in your basement, or root intrusion under Port Dalhousie driveways, a video sewer inspection shows you exactly where the issue lies. Explore our clogged drain services in Niagara Falls.
● Cost-Effective Repairs: Traditional dig-and-replace methods can cost thousands. A drain camera inspection or pipe video inspection pinpoints the repair area, so you only excavate exactly where it’s needed—saving time and money. Learn about our foundation repair solutions.
● Prevent Future Emergencies: Early detection of minor leaks, hairline cracks, or tree roots halts small problems before they become full sewer backups, foul odors, or foundation damage. A routine sewer scope inspection keeps your pipes flowing freely.
Call for a drain inspection near me quote. We’ll discuss symptoms—slow drains, gurgling, or sewer smells—and arrange your commercial or residential sewer camera service in St. Catharines.
Our technician feeds a 200′ rod with a high-definition camera through your main sewer line or lateral drains.
Watch on-screen as we navigate bends and joints, revealing blockages or damage. We record the footage and note distance markers for an exact repair plan.
You receive a detailed diagnostic report (e.g., “root intrusion at 15′ from basement cleanout”) with recommended fixes—hydro-jetting, sectional pipe lining, or trench-less sewer replacement
Schedule annual drain camera inspections or sewer inspections to catch new issues early and extend pipe life.
With more than 45 years in the industry, we bring unmatched expertise, hands-on knowledge, and proven reliability to every job.
High-definition RIDGID SeeSnake cameras for crystal-clear video pipe inspection.
We’ve successfully completed over 3,500 drainage and waterproofing projects across the region—earning the trust of homeowners and businesses alike.
Video proof of the problem and an exact plan for your peace of mind.
Rapid response for critical backups and flood risks.
A Victorian home near Port Dalhousie constantly leaked during spring thaws. Our solution:
Repair only the damaged section—no full yard excavation.
Avoid backups, floods, and steep insurance claims.
Annual sewer scope inspections extend pipe lifespan.
Inspections start at $249+HST; itemized quotes before work.
Buyers trust homes with documented video pipe inspections.
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Don’t let hidden blockages threaten your home. Schedule your sewer camera inspection in St. Catharines with McDowell Drain Services today:
(289) 407-2400 or mcdowelldrain.ca.
Protect your pipes—and your peace of mind—today!
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
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Posted on Mark Swan2025-08-28Trustindex 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 Abel2025-08-25Trustindex 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 Mansur2025-08-18Trustindex 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 Aslam2025-07-22Trustindex 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 Siciliano2025-07-07Trustindex 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 Harris2025-07-04Trustindex 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 Sandeep2025-06-24Trustindex 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 Kaur2025-06-24Trustindex 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 Bleeks2025-06-20Trustindex 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 Bones3802025-06-11Trustindex 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.
In St. Catharines, basements are a necessity of homes. They provide the added storage space, additional living areas, and even
Properly functioning drains are barely noticed when they are functioning correctly. But when something goes wrong it can be disorganizing
One of such issues that can never come at the right time is water leaks. Pipe bursting can easily become
Leaks in the basement are among the most annoying issues that homeowners experience in Niagara. Due to the heavy rain,
For many homeowners in the Niagara Region, the battle against water feels endless. You see the symptoms everywhere: water pooling
You head down to your basement, perhaps to do laundry or grab something from storage, and you notice it. A
Most residential inspections start at $249+HST for up to 100′ of piping. Extended lengths or commercial lines are quoted per foot.
We recommend an annual sewer scope or drain camera inspection, especially if your home is near mature trees or has older clay or cast-iron lines.
Yes—minor blockages can often be removed immediately with hydro-jetting tools. Major repairs are scheduled separately.
Trench-less pipe lining works for sectional damage (cracks or roots). Full trench-less replacement is possible if corrosion is widespread; severe collapses may need open excavation.