Drain cleaning in Montreal: prices, modern techniques and 24/7 emergencies

Understanding the common causes of traffic jams in Montreal

In Greater Montreal, the combination of aging infrastructure and climate change is creating fertile ground for blocked drains. Before talking about solutions, we need to know why a blocked duct. Three factors come up again and again with our residential and commercial customers.

Tree roots in pipes

The beautiful maple trees lining our streets naturally seek out moisture. Their tree roots pierce the weakened joints of clay or cast iron pipes, creating a dense underground web. The result: flow slows down, water stagnates, and eventually backs up. Drain cleaning in Montreal often requires a camera inspection to locate these intrusions before proceeding with targeted hydro-jet cleaning or, if needed, pipe section replacement.

Greases, soaps and organic residues

Pouring cooking oil or grease down the sink solidifies a few meters from the drain. Mixed with soaps and organic wasteThese deposits create a sticky plug known as a "fatberg". A simple chemical product is not enough; only a drain cleaning high pressure dissolves this conglomerate without damaging the pipes.

Non-biodegradable items disposed of in drains

Disposable" wipes, cotton buds, tampons, children's toys: these non-biodegradable objects don't belong in a 100 mm pipe. They cling to asperities, accumulate other debris and eventually block the flow altogether. When the water-logged toilet threatens to overflow, a sewer unclogging Montreal 24/7 emergency service becomes unavoidable.

Why traffic jams are more frequent in spring and autumn

Quebec’s extreme seasonal changes put drainage systems through two high-risk periods: the spring snowmelt and the heavy rains mixed with fallen leaves in the fall. It’s no surprise that searches for “spring drain cleaning” and “autumn drain cleaning” spike on Google during these times. Here’s what’s really going on inside your pipes.

Snowmelt and heavy rains

In March-April, the accumulated snow transforms into torrents of cold water, carrying sand, salt and small pebbles. Already cracked joints let these particles in, creating a thick sludge that slows the flow. Add a spring shower, and the pressure in the pipe suddenly rises: the slightest deposit becomes a clog. A hydro-jet is then the safest way to purge this sludge without digging.

Accumulation of debris in sumps and storm drains

September and October see 100,000 tonnes of leaves fall in Greater Montreal. When sumps fill up, organic debris is sucked into storm drains and then into your water main. A simple clogged screen at the sump inlet can cause a backflow into the basement. Hence the importance of a drain cleaning and regular leaf collection before the first autumn rain.

Modern unclogging techniques used in Montreal

Forget the old rusty snake tool — modern drain cleaning in Montreal uses digital equipment and hydraulic power that reaches nearly 4,000 psi. The goal is twofold: restore flow in just minutes and extend the lifespan of your piping, all without corrosive chemicals. Here are the four most common technologies our team uses on-site.

Sewer unclogging in Montreal (hydro-jet)

When a stubborn blockage is clogging the main drain line, we insert a specialized hydro-jet nozzle that blasts water at extremely high pressure. The jet cuts through roots, dissolves grease, and scrapes pipe walls until they regain their original diameter. This method — also known as hydrocleaning — is safe for both PVC and cast iron pipes and allows for a thorough drain cleaning without the need for excavation.

Camera Inspection

Before activating the high-pressure jet, we insert an HD drain inspection camera into the pipe. The real-time footage reveals the exact location of the blockage, the condition of the joints, and any potential cracks. You’ll receive a time-stamped video report — a valuable asset for insurance claims or future plumbing work planning.

Hydro-jet (high-pressure drain cleaning)

For annual maintenance, a low-pressure water jet (1,500-2,000 psi) is often enough to loosen biofilms before they become obstructions. It's ideal for condominiums and restaurants that want to prevent costly backflow without interrupting operations.

Mechanical unblockers (electric augers)

In older Montreal plexes where space is limited, the electric drain auger is still a go-to solution. Its flexible cable navigates tight pipe bends and grabs solid debris — toys, wipes, hardened buildup — that high-pressure water alone can't flush out. Combined with a final hydro-jet rinse, it ensures a thorough and long-lasting sewer cleaning in Montreal.

An ecological impact to consider: preventive maintenance vs. emergencies

A clogged drain doesn’t just affect your home — it can also disrupt the municipal sewer system and, on a larger scale, impact the Saint Lawrence River. When a backup occurs, wastewater can overflow into storm drains and end up directly in the environment. An emergency drain cleaning in Montreal often requires more water, more energy, and — with some providers — harmful chemical products that eventually make their way into our rivers.

In contrast, a scheduled preventive cleaning that combines camera inspection and low-pressure hydro-jet can reduce your carbon footprint by over 40% compared to an emergency intervention. Fewer trucks on the road, no repeated pumping, and zero corrosive chemicals. You protect your pipes, your wallet and the local ecosystem.

Bonus: a calendar of drain cleaning annual maintenance costs on average 30 % less than a single major backflow. In short: prevention means savings - and the planet will thank you.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Drain in Montreal?

 

The amounts below are taken from a 2025 statement from eight CMMTQ member companies operating on the island of Montreal, Laval and the South Shore. Prices include travel, labor and standard equipment. Taxes (GST/QST) and replacement parts are not included. Rates may vary depending on site accessibility, drain depth and time of day.

💡 Tip: if you combine a camera inspection with a drain cleaning preventive maintenance, you save an average of 15 % on the overall rate, while extending the life of your sanitary system.

Can you unblock a drain yourself or do you have to call in a professional?

Do you notice a slow drip or a suspicious odor in the bathroom? Before dialing a plumber, it's tempting to try a do-it-yourself drain unclogging. And sometimes that's enough. But in other cases, amateur intervention can make the situation worse... and more expensive in the long run.

When a drain cleaner is all you need

If the blockage is slight - accumulation of soap or hair near the siphon - a simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar or a commercial chemical can temporarily restore the flow. A suction-cup unblocker or a small hand-held plunger can also do the trick for a sink or shower that doesn't get much use.

Important: Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipe joints, especially in older Montreal homes. When in doubt, opt for gentle mechanical methods—or call a professional.

When doing it yourself is risky

Certain signs should raise red flags: water backing up in multiple rooms, gurgling noises in the pipes, or sewage coming back up. These symptoms usually point to a problem in the main drain line — located several meters underground. Using a short or misaligned drain snake can puncture a pipe or push the clog even deeper.

In a recent case in Ahuntsic, a customer tried to pierce a plug with a rigid cable... which he broke in the pipe. Result: emergency call, partial excavation, 1,300 $ in costs. A simple camera inspection would have located the problem without any breakage.

Advantages of hiring a CMMTQ-certified plumber

A certified drain cleaning professional in Montreal, approved by the CMMTQ, is equipped with the right tools: an HD inspection camera, a hydro-jet nozzle, an electric auger, and more. They act quickly, without damaging your plumbing system, and provide a written guarantee for the service performed.

They can also advise you on the best maintenance practices, detect early signs of cracks or root intrusion, and even help you prepare a file if you need to submit an insurance claim after water damage.

In short: yes, sometimes you can fix a small clog yourself. But as soon as several water points are affected or symptoms persist, don't wait. A professional drain cleaning is often more economical, faster... and much safer.

Emergency: the signs that call for immediate action

An ordinary traffic jam can wait a few hours. But some situations call for immediate action - day or night. Ignoring the following signs can turn a simple drain unclogging in Montreal into major damage requiring thousands of dollars in repairs.

Backflow of wastewater into drains

If brown or gray water backs up through a floor drain, a shower, or even a basement sink, you're likely dealing with a sewer backup. This is a classic symptom of a main drain blockage. Every minute counts to prevent water from seeping under floors, into walls, or into the foundation.

Persistent foul odor

A strong sewer smell rising in the kitchen or bathroom is often a sign of a blockage further down the pipe. Worse still, it may signal a breach in the vent stack or a partial blockage. In all cases, you'll need our camera inspection services, to avoid collapse or flooding.

Toilet or sink completely blocked

When several appliances (toilet, sink, shower) become unusable at the same time, it's no longer just a localized blockage. The system is saturated. Attempting to force the flow with chemicals in this context is dangerous and ineffective. We need to act fast - ideally with a high-pressure hydrocleaning - to unclog the entire system.

Need emergency unclogging in Montreal? Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including evenings, weekends and holidays. A local technician can be on site in less than 60 minutes in most boroughs of Greater Montreal.

📞 Contact us now for express service

Case study: unclogging a main drain in Montréal-Nord

In February 2025, a residential customer of Montréal-Nord contacted SOS Plumbers after observing a rising sewage through his basement floor drain. We quickly put him in touch with a CMMTQ certified plumber in its sector, specializing in unclogging of main drains.

Camera diagnosis

The mandated professional has carried out a HD camera inspection via the existing cleaning opening. The diagnosis revealed a clump of maple roots obstructing a bend approximately 12 m from the residence, causing a complete blockage of the main drain.

The customer was able to observe live images captured by the camera, enabling him to make informed decisions prior to any mechanical intervention.

Rapid intervention by hydrocuring

Using a 4,000 psi hydro-jet systemA second camera pass confirmed that the pipe was perfectly clear. A second camera pass confirmed that the pipe was perfectly clear.

The intervention, carried out by a plumber recommended via our platform, restored full flow without damage to the existing installations.

Final results and prevention measures

A root guard basket was installed at the clean-out exit, and an annual preventive maintenance plan was recommended. The client, impressed by the speed and efficiency of the service provided through SOS Plombiers, left a 5-star review a few days later.

What Our Clients Say About Our Drain Cleaning Services in Montreal

At SOS Plumbersour mission is to put you in contact with certified and highly rated plumbers in the Greater Montreal area. Every week, we receive testimonials from customers who are relieved to have avoided major water damage thanks to rapid intervention - often within an hour of their call.

Google & Facebook verified reviews

Here are a few excerpts from the Google profiles of the plumbing partners we work with on a regular basis:

• "Ultra-fast service on a Saturday evening, the plumber arrived in 45 minutes. Drain unclogged by camera and hydrojet. Thanks to SOS Plumbers for the recommendation!" - Montreal-East
• "I didn't know who to call about a sewer backup. Their site directed me to a plumber in my neighborhood, hyper professional. I recommend." - Villeray
• "After 2 bad experiences, I finally found a reliable team via SOS Plombiers. Fast response, honest pricing, and very good communication." - Brossard

 

Local commitment and customer satisfaction

The plumbers we recommend are all based in Greater Montreal, certified by the CMMTQ, and selected based on strict criteria: online reputation, response time, pricing transparency, and equipment quality.

We closely monitor customer feedback to fine-tune our recommendations. Your satisfaction is our reputation. It's also why more than 80 % of people who use our service either use it again or recommend it to a friend or family member.

Areas served in Greater Montreal

Thanks to our network of certified partners, SOS Plumbers is able to quickly refer you to a plumber specialized in drain cleaning in all regions of Greater Montreal. Whether you're on the island, in the northern or southern suburbs, a local team is ready to respond to your needs.

Frequent interventions in these sectors:

• Montreal : Ahuntsic, Rosemont, Villeray, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Côte-des-Neiges, Outremont, Verdun, Anjou, Montréal-Nord
• Laval : Chomedey, Laval-des-Rapides, Duvernay, Sainte-Rose
• South Shore : Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Hubert, Saint-Lambert, La Prairie
• North-Shore : Terrebonne, Repentigny, Blainville, Boisbriand

 

24-hour express service in the central districts

In densely populated areas like Le Plateau, Rosemont, Ville-Marie, and Villeray, our partners can often intervene in under 60 minutes — even on evenings and weekends. That’s the strength of our decentralized model based on local plumber referrals.

📍 If you don't see your area listed, send us a message — we likely have a solution nearby.

 

Municipal regulations on drain connections in Montréal

In Montreal, all work involving drain connections and wastewater discharge systems is governed by strict regulations designed to ensure the safety of the municipal network and prevent sewage backups.

Authorization required for certain types of work

Before undertaking work such as the installation or modification of a sewer connection, it is mandatory to submit a request to the Water Management Regulation Section of the City of Montreal.

This authorization is required for :

• All domestic water connection 100 mm and over ;
• Any project creating more than 1,000 m² of impermeable surfaces (requiring a rainwater management) ;

• Certain types of excavation work on public roads to connect or repair a main drain.

Final plans must be submitted to the City within 60 days of completion of the work, in accordance with the Regulation 20-030.

Owner's liability in the event of a blockage

Contrary to popular belief, it is the owner's responsibility to unclog, maintain, or repair their sewer connection, even if the blockage is located under public property. If it's a structural issue (crack, collapse), the City may intervene — but only after inspection and validation.

The SOS Plombiers partner plumbers are often called to the front line to perform a camera inspection and determine whether the blockage is on the private or public portion of the pipe.

How to request repairs from the city

If the defect is structural (breakage, displaced fitting), a request for municipal intervention can be submitted. The conditions are precise:

• The damaged pipe must be located under public property.
• Diameter must not exceed 150 mm (sanitary sewer) or 225 mm (combined sewer/pluvial sewer).
• The problem must not be caused by misuse (wipes, grease, acid, etc.).

 

Useful resources

To consult the official guidelines or make a repair request, here are the most relevant pages on the Ville de Montréal website:

• Request a connection authorization
• Request a drain repair by the City