Plumber Saskatoon: Your Locally Owned and Operated Mr. Rooter Plumbing Team

Saskatoon homeowners should call the City if they are dealing with a water outage, a suspected water main break, or a sewer system issue. These issues require a city assessment, so start with the City of Saskatoon. If the issue is inside your home or in your private plumbing (such as a leaking pipe, a clogged drain, a failing water heater, or a backup that requires immediate clearing), call a licensed plumber in Saskatoon. If water is close to electrical outlets or appliances, do not enter the area until it has been confirmed safe.

A clogged drain usually starts small and worsens quickly, especially when grease, soap scum, or food buildup narrows the pipe. If your sink or tub drains slowly, you hear gurgling, or you notice sewer-like odours, you are likely dealing with a developing blockage. If more than one fixture is acting up at the same time, like a shower and toilet together, that can point to a bigger issue in the main line. A tip from our plumber: Saskatoon homeowners should stop using chemical drain cleaners when the drain is slow, since they can damage older pipes and make safe clearing harder. Professional drain cleaning services protect your piping and get full flow back

Often, yes. The City of Saskatoon states that a plumbing permit is required when a plumbing system is constructed, extended, altered, renovated, removed, or repaired within a single-family dwelling, including projects such as adding a basement bathroom, relocating fixtures, or installing a backwater valve. The City also lists exemptions, such as repairing a leak or replacing a valve, faucet, or fixture in certain like-for-like situations.

If sewage is backing up into a floor drain, shower, or toilet, treat it as an urgent health and safety issue. The City of Saskatoon recommends calling its 24-hour customer service centre for Water and Sewer Emergency Service, and staying out of the basement if water or sewage is accumulating. Avoid running sinks, toilets, and laundry, as this can add more wastewater to the line. If the backup is only in the lowest fixtures, your main line is the likely choke point, and a proper cable cleanout or jetting is usually needed. We can coordinate the plumbing side after the City checks for issues on the public system.

Start by considering where the backup is occurring. If wastewater is coming up from a basement floor drain or lowest-level fixtures, it often points to a blockage in the building sewer connection, which the City notes can be caused by tree roots, grease buildup, or objects that should not be flushed. The City will send staff to assess and advise. Their first step is usually to determine whether the issue is in the public sewer main or in the connection serving your home.

Plumber tip: If you have recurring backups, a camera inspection is one of the fastest ways to confirm whether the pipe is broken, belly-shaped, root-infiltrated, or simply clogged, so you are not guessing. For an inspection by a certified plumber, Saskatoon residents can call us today!

If you suddenly lose water, notice water pooling on the road, or see water entering your basement, the City of Saskatoon advises calling the customer care centre, which is available 24/7. The City also recommends preparing for outages by storing a 72-hour supply of drinking water and using 3.8 litres (one gallon) per person or pet per day for drinking and cooking. As a tip from our plumber, Saskatoon homeowners should keep the heat up and open cabinet doors if the water goes out in the winter. This keeps your indoor plumbing warm. If you suspect a frozen pipe inside your home, shut off the water at the main if you can do so safely.

If your home is in an older Saskatoon neighbourhood, it is worth checking, as the City's lead pipe brochure notes that properties in neighbourhoods built before 1950 may still have lead pipes. The City of Saskatoon is working to replace lead service lines by January 1, 2029, and has outlined steps to reduce exposure. For example, it recommends running cold water for about five minutes before drinking or cooking if you have lead pipes, and using a certified filter marked NSF-53 for lead removal. The quickest way to get clarity is to have a licensed plumber inspect your service line and indoor piping materials, because lead can also come from older solder and some older fittings.

Yes, they can. The City of Saskatoon lists grease buildup and improper items as common causes of sewer backups and advises homeowners not to pour grease or cooking oil down the drain and not to flush absorbent items such as paper towels, diapers, baby wipes, or feminine products. Even when packaging says "flushable," those products often do not break down like toilet paper and can snag in your service line, causing a blockage over time. If you have a garburator, use it sparingly and keep fats, oils, and grease out of the sink. In older homes, a minor restriction can quickly escalate into a full backup, so early clearing is usually cheaper and cleaner than emergency cleanup.

Saskatoon winters are hard on plumbing, so a little preparation in the fall can save you from a frozen pipe emergency in January. Start by shutting off the water supply to outdoor faucets, then open the faucet to drain any remaining water from the line. If you have an unheated garage, basement, or crawlspace, check that any exposed pipes are insulated with foam sleeves or heat trace cable. Walk around your foundation and look for gaps or cracks where cold air can reach pipes, and seal them with caulk or spray foam. Inside the home, know where your main water shutoff is located and ensure it works. If a pipe freezes and bursts, shutting off the water quickly is the difference between a small mess and major water damage. If you're unsure about any vulnerable areas, a plumber can conduct a quick inspection and identify the risks before the cold hits.

Usually, it's because the trap has dried out. Floor drains have a U-shaped trap that holds water, preventing sewer gas from rising through the pipe. If the drain isn't used regularly, the water evaporates, especially in dry winter air. Pour a bucket of water down the drain to refill the trap. If the smell returns quickly, there may be a venting issue or a crack in the trap, and we can diagnose it with a camera.

We don't recommend it, especially in older homes. Chemical cleaners generate heat and can damage aging pipes, particularly if you have cast iron or older PVC joints. If the clog is stubborn and the cleaner doesn't clear it, you're left with caustic chemicals sitting in the line, which makes it unsafe for a plumber to work on. Professional drain cleaning with a cable or jetting service is safer, faster, and more effective.

Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, but hard water can shorten that if the tank isn't flushed regularly. If your water heater is over 10 years old, making noise, or showing rust around the connections, it's worth having a plumber assess it before it fails completely. Replacing it on your schedule is always better than replacing it in an emergency.

It depends on the age of the unit, the cost of the repair, and how efficient the heater is. If your water heater is less than 7 years old and the repair is minor (like a thermostat or heating element), the repair usually makes sense. If it's over 10 years old, leaking from the tank, or the repair cost is more than half the price of a new unit, replacement is usually the better investment. We can assess the condition and give you an honest recommendation based on what we find.

A camera inspection is the best way to know for sure. If we see a clog caused by grease, paper, or debris, cleaning will solve the problem. If we see cracks, root intrusion, a bellied section where the pipe has sagged, or severe corrosion, you may need a repair or replacement. The good news is that trenchless pipe lining can often fix the problem without digging up your yard.

Yes, especially in older neighbourhoods prone to sewer surcharges during heavy rain or spring melt. A backwater valve is a one-way valve installed in your sewer line that allows wastewater to flow out but prevents it from flowing back into your home if the main sewer line gets overwhelmed. The City of Saskatoon lists backwater valve installation as a project requiring a plumbing permit, and it's one of the most effective ways to protect your basement from sewer backup flooding.

If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water supply to your home immediately to stop the flow. If you can't find the shutoff or it's stuck, call a plumber right away and move anything valuable away from the water. If a pipe is frozen but hasn't burst yet, do not attempt to thaw it with a torch or open flame, as this can crack the pipe or start a fire. You can try using a hair dryer or space heater for gentle heat, but the safest option is to call a plumber with the right equipment to thaw the line safely and check for damage.

Toilet repair costs vary depending on the issue. Simple fixes, such as replacing a flapper valve or fill valve, are usually affordable, while more complex repairs, such as repairing a cracked tank or replacing internal components, can cost more. With our upfront pricing, you'll see the exact cost before we start any work, so there are no surprises. If your toilet is old and needs frequent repairs, replacement might be more cost-effective in the long run.

A traditional tank water heater stores 40 to 80 gallons of hot water and keeps it heated at all times, so it's ready when you need it. However, you're also paying to keep that water hot 24/7. A tankless water heater heats water on demand as it flows through the unit, so you never run out of hot water, and you only heat what you use. Tankless units are more energy-efficient and take up less space, but they cost more upfront and may require upgrades to your gas line or electrical service. In Saskatoon's hard water conditions, both types need regular maintenance, but tankless units are especially sensitive to mineral buildup.

Yes, we provide full-service plumbing for homes and businesses throughout Saskatoon. Our residential services cover everything from drain cleaning and water heater replacement to sump pump installation and emergency plumbing repairs. For commercial customers, we handle larger-scale plumbing systems, routine maintenance, and emergency service to keep your business running smoothly.

If your home has a basement and you're in an area with a high water table, poor drainage, or a history of spring flooding, a sump pump is essential protection against water damage. Many Saskatoon homes built in the last few decades have sump pits installed during construction, and the pump sits in the pit to remove groundwater before it can flood your basement. If you already have a sump pump, test it regularly by pouring a bucket of water into the pit to ensure it activates and pumps the water at least 2 meters away from your foundation.

We serve Saskatoon and the surrounding communities, providing the same reliable, professional plumbing services throughout the Greater Saskatoon area, including Martensville, Waldheim, and Warman. Whether you're in an older neighbourhood near downtown or a newer development on the outskirts, our local team is ready to help.