Clogged drains in Ottawa homes
A slow kitchen sink or a tub that drains in minutes instead of seconds usually gets worse, not better. Here is how to figure out what kind of clog you have and what is safe to try first.
One drain or many?
This is the most useful question:
- One fixture is slow (one sink, one tub). The clog is usually close to that fixture: in the trap or the first few feet of pipe.
- Several fixtures are slow, or water comes up in the tub when you flush. The blockage is likely further down, in the main drain or the building sewer.
- The basement floor drain backs up. Could be a main line blockage, or the city sewer is overloaded during a storm. If it smells like sewage, stop using water and get it looked at.
Common causes
- Kitchen: grease, oil and food scraps that harden in the pipe, especially in cold weather
- Bathroom: hair and soap scum in tub and shower drains
- Toilets: wipes (even "flushable" ones), paper towels and hygiene products
- Main line: tree roots in older clay or cast-iron sewers, sagging pipe sections, or a build-up over years
Safe first steps
- Use a plunger suited to the fixture (a flat cup for sinks, a flanged one for toilets). Plug the overflow on a sink or tub for better suction.
- Clean the trap. Under a bathroom sink, the P-trap can often be removed by hand. Put a bucket underneath first.
- Pull the hair out of tub and shower drains with a cheap plastic drain tool.
- Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners. They can damage older pipes and make the job unsafe for whoever opens the pipe next.
If the plunger brings up water in another fixture, stop: that points to a deeper blockage.
Typical price ranges (published sources)
These are typical ranges from cost guides, not our prices:
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unclogging a drain (Canada) | $165–$400 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| Sewer line cleaning (Canada) | $230–$590 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| Sewer camera inspection (Canada) | $400–$660 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| Drain line repair (Canada) | $330–$1,350 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| Blocked drain (Ottawa reviews) | average reported $1,112, very wide spread | HomeStars Ottawa cost guide |
Sources: HomeStars Canada plumbing cost guide and HomeStars Ottawa plumbing cost guide, both updated Aug. 2026. The Ottawa average includes some larger jobs, which is why it sits well above the simple drain-clearing range.
When a camera inspection makes sense
If the main drain keeps clogging, or you have an older home with a clay or cast-iron sewer, a camera inspection shows what is actually in the pipe: roots, a crack, a sag or just build-up. That way you aren't paying to clear the same blockage every year. If you're thinking about a backwater valve, a camera inspection is often part of planning it.
Keep drains clear
- Wipe greasy pans with paper towel before washing
- Use a sink strainer in the kitchen and a hair catcher in the shower
- Only flush toilet paper
- Run hot water after using the kitchen sink
Get a personal quote from photos
Send us:
- A photo of the slow or blocked fixture
- A photo under the sink (or of the floor drain) showing the pipes
- A note on which other fixtures are affected
A licensed plumber reviews every request and replies with a personal quote. No automatic estimates and no obligation. This is a small pilot, so we can't promise a response time, and the form isn't for emergencies.