Slow, Clogged or Backing-Up Drains in the Basement
Basement drains are the lowest point of your plumbing, so they show problems first: a floor drain that gurgles, water that pools around it, sewage smells or a backup after a storm. Sometimes it is a simple clog. Sometimes it is tree roots, a sagging pipe or a cracked line under the floor.
We provide drain cleaning in Toronto — snaking and hydro jetting — and drain repair when the pipe itself is damaged: spot repairs, section replacement under the basement floor and connections to the main line.
When the cause is not obvious, we start with a drain camera inspection so you pay for the right fix.
Drain Cleaning and Repair Methods
| Method | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Drain snaking (augering) | Cuts through and pulls out clogs | Grease, hair, debris, light roots |
| Hydro jetting | High-pressure water scours the pipe wall | Heavy buildup, roots, recurring clogs |
| Spot repair | Replaces a short damaged section | A single crack, break or bad joint |
| Section replacement | Replaces a longer run under the floor | Collapsed or badly sagging pipe |
| Root removal | Cuts roots out of the line | Clay and older sewer pipes |
Signs You Need Drain Cleaning or Repair
Slow basement drains
Water takes a long time to go down.
Gurgling floor drain
Air trapped by a partial blockage.
Sewage smell
From the floor drain or near the main stack.
Water around the floor drain
Backing up instead of draining.
Clogs keep coming back
A pipe problem, not just a clog.
Backups in storms
Sewer surcharge — consider a backwater valve.
How We Clean and Repair Drains
Diagnosis
What is backing up, where and when.
Clear the line
Snaking or hydro jetting to restore flow.
Camera check
We look inside to see roots, cracks or sags.
Written repair quote
If the pipe is damaged, the repair and price in writing.
Repair
Spot repair or section replacement; floor restored.
Test
Water run through to confirm flow.
Drain Repair & Cleaning Cost
| Work | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Drain cleaning (snaking) | Quoted by access and line |
| Hydro jetting | Quoted by length and buildup |
| Drain camera inspection | See camera inspection |
| Drain pipe repair under the floor | Quoted after camera inspection |
| Backwater valve | $2,000 – $4,200 per unit |
Drain repairs depend on what the camera finds — we give you a written price before any repair work.
Homes and Commercial Buildings
Residential drain services
- Basement floor drains
- Main drain and sewer line
- Laundry and utility drains
- Drains under a finished floor
Commercial drain cleaning
- Multi-unit and retail buildings
- Recurring grease and debris buildup
- Scheduled maintenance cleaning
- Coordinated with property managers
See commercial waterproofing for below-grade water problems.
Related Services
Common Drain Problems We Repair in Toronto
Most drain repair in Toronto comes down to a few causes, and finding the right one decides the fix.
Tree roots
Roots enter clay and cast-iron joints and grow into a mat that catches everything.
Cracked or broken pipe
Old clay and cast iron crack with age, frost and settling soil.
Sagging (bellied) line
A low section holds water and waste and keeps clogging in the same spot.
Grease and soap build-up
Kitchen and laundry waste coats pipes until the opening closes.
Silt in floor drains
Basement floor drains collect sand and silt, especially after flooding.
Dry trap smells
A floor drain that is rarely used loses its water seal and lets sewer gas in.
Drain Cleaning Services in Toronto
Basement floor drains
The drain most likely to back up in a storm.
- Clearing and flushing
- Trap and odour fixes
- Backwater valve advice
Main sewer line
The pipe that carries everything from the house to the city.
- Snaking and root cutting
- Hydro jetting
- Camera check after clearing
Laundry and utility drains
Lint and soap clog these lines quickly.
- Line cleared
- Standpipe checked
- Lint trap advice
Commercial drain cleaning
Commercial drain cleaning in Toronto for low-rise buildings, offices and retail units.
- Scheduled maintenance
- Grease-heavy lines
- Written condition reports
Drain Cleaning vs Drain Pipe Repair
Drain cleaning is enough when
- The drain is slow or clogged but the pipe is intact
- The clog is grease, soap, hair or silt
- Roots are light and can be cut back
- A camera shows no breaks or sags
Drain pipe repair is needed when
- The same drain clogs again within months
- A camera shows cracks, breaks or a collapsed section
- There is a sag that holds water
- Roots keep returning through broken joints
What Affects Drain Repair Cost
Every drain repair company prices differently, so we explain what drives your quote before any work starts.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Type of work | Clearing costs far less than replacing a section of pipe |
| Location of the problem | Inside under the floor vs outside under lawn, driveway or tree |
| Depth and access | Deeper pipes and tight spaces take longer to reach |
| Pipe material | Clay and cast iron often need more than one repair |
| Restoration | Concrete, interlock or landscaping to put back |
We give you a written quote after inspecting the drain — usually with a camera so you can see the problem yourself.
Drain Repair & Cleaning Questions
How do I know if I need drain cleaning or drain repair?
If a drain clears and stays clear, cleaning was enough. If clogs return, water backs up or there is a sewage smell, the pipe may be damaged — a camera inspection tells you.
What is hydro jetting?
Cleaning with high-pressure water that scours grease, debris and roots off the inside of the pipe.
How much does drain repair cost in Toronto?
It depends on the location and length of damage. We inspect with a camera and give a written price before repairing.
Can tree roots get into my drain?
Yes, especially older clay sewer lines. Roots can be cut out, but cracked pipe usually needs repair.
Do you clean commercial drains?
Yes, for multi-unit, retail and other commercial buildings, including scheduled maintenance.
Can I fix a drain myself?
Simple clogs, maybe. Repeated clogs, backups and broken pipes need professional equipment and repair.
How long does drain repair take?
Clearing a clogged drain usually takes an hour or two. Replacing a section of pipe under a basement floor is typically a one- to two-day job, including restoring the concrete.
Can I fix a broken drain pipe myself?
Clearing a simple clog yes, but a cracked or collapsed pipe needs the floor or ground opened and the new pipe set at the right slope. Getting it wrong leads to repeat clogs and leaks.
How often should drains be cleaned?
Most homes only need drain cleaning when a problem appears. Older homes with clay sewer lines and big trees nearby often benefit from cleaning every one to two years.
Why does my basement floor drain smell?
Usually the trap has dried out and sewer gas is coming through. Pouring water in fixes it for now; a trap primer or regular top-ups fixes it long term.
Book Drain Cleaning or Repair
Tell us what the drain is doing. We will clear it, check it and quote any repair in writing.
Call now — Mon–Fri 7 AM – 4 PM(416) 992-5858Office: 58 Six Point Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 2X2
Email: info@leaquida.ca