Ottawa Plumber Near You
Ottawa plumbing for older homes, done right and put back clean
Sewer lines, cast iron drains, lead water services and basement flood protection. We find the real cause, explain your options in plain words, and give you one written price before any work starts.
- 4.8 from 1,094 Google reviews
- Red Seal plumbers
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- 15 years in Ottawa homes
- Written price before work starts
reviewMichael knows his stuff.
– Matt B.Concrete smashed… cleaned up the space well.
– Max W.Clear and upfront about the price.
– Ann L.Excellent at dealing with old houses.
– Katherine A.His honesty was outstanding!
– D. Lynn S.
Why Ottawa homeowners call Michael first
Michael started The Irish Plumber to do plumbing the way he'd want it done in his own house: find the real cause, explain it in plain words, give one written price, and leave the place cleaner than he found it. Fifteen years later, customers still name him in their reviews more than 300 times.
Older homes are where that matters most. A 70-year-old main drain, a cast iron stack or a lead water line can't be fixed with guesswork. Our crews open floors and yards every week, and they put them back.
1,094 Google reviews
More than all but three Ottawa plumbers, and we reply to 98% of them.
Licensed on every job
Work done or checked by a Red Seal plumber, to code, with permits where needed.
Workmanship warranty
If something we installed isn't right, we come back and make it right.
Written before we start
You approve the price and the scope before any concrete is cut or soil is moved.
The jobs we're known for
From a drain that keeps backing up to a full sewer line replacement, we handle the work other plumbers send away.
Sewer line repair & replacement
Roots, cracks and collapsed lines, found on camera and fixed with the least digging that will work.
Sewer line options and costs
Drain under the basement floor
Broken pipe under the slab replaced, inspected and the concrete poured back flush.
How the job runs
Cast iron drain & stack replacement
Rusted, cracked cast iron replaced with ABS, planned around your house and your renovation.
Signs it's time
Lead & water service replacement
Pre-1958 home? Find out what pipe brings your water in, and replace it without wrecking the porch.
Routes, rebates and City steps
Basement flood protection
Backwater valves and sump pumps with battery backup, with City rebates of up to $1,000–$3,000.
Protect your basement
Drains that keep backing up
Cleared once, blocked again? We clear it and find out why, so you stop paying for the same visit.
Fix the causeFloor broken. Floor fixed.
Replacing a drain under a basement slab is the job most homeowners dread. It's also one we do all the time, so we've built a way of working that keeps your house livable while we're in it.
- See it first. We run a camera through the line and show you the screen, so you know what's down there before you spend a dollar.
- One written price. The permit, the cut, the new pipe, the concrete and the clean-up are all on the quote.
- Cut only what's needed. We protect doorways and floors, contain the dust, and keep a toilet working when we can.
- Put it back. New ABS pipe on proper bedding, inspection passed, concrete re-poured and the space cleaned up.
Got an older home and a drain that keeps acting up?
Get a straight answer from a Red Seal plumber: what's wrong, what your options are, and what each one costs, in writing.
Real jobs, real Ottawa homes
Every photo on this site is from our own work. No stock photos.
What Ottawa homeowners say
“I had my main drain replaced, which was a big job; concrete smashed and several yards of earth moved. Michael, Mark and Sebastian were courteous and kind,. They did their best to minimise inconvenience, explained things very clearly, cleaned up the space well and they never let the dogs out.”
“Fast & professional. Clear and upfront about the price and work to be done. No pressure to up-sale or buy other services. Have Micheal and Thomas by to snake our laundry drain and replace our old corroded cast iron plumbing. If we ever need more plumbing services, it will be with the Irish plumber”
“I highly recommend the Irish Plumber. Michael was thorough and extremely detailed in his assessment of the situation. He quickly took stock of the problem and provided a clear root cause of the issue and what it would take to repair it.”
“Excellent, reliable plumber. Honors scheduled appointments. Very good diagnostician and problem solver. Excellent at dealing with old houses and plumbing systems: diagnosing problems and making adjustments to integrate new and old equipment. Provides price information up front.”
“Sebastian was an awesome plumber and person! He explained everything, gave options and offered the opportunity to think about what I wanted to do (read: wasn’t pressuring me into one thing or another).”
“We called The Irish Plumber for work on our sewer line a number of years ago. They did great work, took the time to explain to us our options, showed us what they did, encouraged us to take pictures to document the work.”
“Awesome to work with Michael! We had broken pipe/line that needed immediate repair. Michael was available and did a great job. It involved taking up the floor, chiseling through concrete, replacing the line and putting it all back together. To code.”
“After 70 years our main sewer line finally packed it in. Michael and his team went to work a few days later. We even ended up having to install a sewage pump for the downstairs bathroom because the very high exit point of the sewer line to the outside was on the opposite side of the house.”
“Sebastian did a great job, thorough and well executed. Explained the service well and showed me the camera where roots were obvious in the line. Thanks Sebastian”
“I had an excellent experience with Michael and The Irish Plumber. I called after hours and received service promptly. I was explained the rates ahead of time so there were no surprises. The rates were reasonable especially as I was in an emergency situation.”
across our 6 Ottawa locationsPlumbing advice from Michael and the team
Straight answers about drains, sewer lines, older homes and basements.
Homeowner GuidesBefore You Dig: 9 questions to ask before replacing a water line
For older Ottawa homes with lead or aging water services.
Homeowner GuidesRepeat-Backup Checklist: why does the same drain keep blocking?
Record the symptoms and ask the right questions before another visit.
Homeowner GuidesBasement Backup Checklist: 7 questions before the next storm
Sump, backup power and backwater protection, checked while the basement is dry.
Basement Flood ProtectionSump pump not working? The 3 most common reasons sump pumps fail
Sump pump not working? The three most common reasons sump pumps fail in Ottawa homes, what you can check yourself, and when to call a plumber.
Basement Flood ProtectionWater coming up through your basement floor drain? Here's what to do
What to do when your basement floor drain overflows or water comes up through it, the usual causes in Ottawa homes, and how to stop it happening again.
Basement Flood ProtectionWater in your basement from snowmelt? Why a battery backup sump pump matters
Spring snowmelt floods Ottawa basements when sump pumps fail or lose power. How a battery backup sump pump works, battery choices, and what installation involves.
Drains & Sewer LinesWhat to expect from a sewer camera inspection
What happens during a sewer camera inspection, what problems it finds, how to prepare, and why seeing inside your drain saves money on the wrong repair.
Drains & Sewer LinesTree roots in your sewer line: signs, prevention and fixes
How tree roots get into Ottawa sewer lines, the warning signs, what you can do to prevent them, and how roots are cleared and repaired for good.
Cast Iron & Older HomesHow old are your cast iron pipes, and when should they be replaced?
How long cast iron drain pipes last, the signs yours are failing, and how to decide between repair and full cast iron replacement in an older Ottawa home.
Cast Iron & Older HomesMain stack vent problems: signs and solutions
What the main plumbing stack vent does, the signs it's blocked or failing (gurgling, slow drains, sewer smell), and how vent problems are fixed in older Ottawa homes.
Water HeatersSigns it's time to replace your water heater
The key signs your water heater needs replacing (age, leaks, rusty water, noises, not enough hot water) and how to choose the right replacement for your Ottawa home.
Winter PlumbingWinter plumbing emergencies: prevention and what to do
Frozen pipes, burst lines and frozen discharge lines: how to prevent winter plumbing emergencies in an Ottawa home, and what to do the moment one happens.
Backflow & CommercialOttawa's backflow prevention program: what property owners need to know
What Ottawa's backflow prevention program means for commercial, institutional and multi-residential property owners: what backflow is, the devices, testing and how we help.
Questions Ottawa homeowners ask us
Do you only work on older homes?
How does your pricing work?
Will you just sell me the most expensive fix?
What happens to my floor, walls or yard?
Are you licensed and insured?
Which areas of Ottawa do you serve?
Can you help with City of Ottawa rebates?
Get a straight answer and a fair price from a plumber who knows older homes
Tell us what's going on. You'll get a clear explanation, options and one written price before any work starts.