Mobile Drain Clearing Service
Clear blocked sinks, floor drains and sewer lines at homes and small businesses from your own van.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based service that clears blocked drains and sewer lines using drain snakes, a small drum machine and sometimes a water jetter. You respond to call-outs and do the job on site.
Your first three steps
- Check with your province and municipality whether drain clearing needs a plumbing licence or trade certification where you plan to work
- Price a used van and a starter kit (cable machines, rods, gloves, PPE) and get quotes for commercial general liability insurance
- Set up a Google Business Profile and call local landlords, property managers and plumbers to offer overflow work
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, property managers, restaurants and small commercial buildings with slow or blocked drains.
How it makes money
A call-out fee or fixed price per clearing, with extra charges for after-hours work, longer lines or jetting. Repeat work comes from landlords and property managers.
Skills that help
- Comfortable with dirty, physical work
- Basic plumbing and drain knowledge
- Clear, honest quoting
- Reliable at short notice
Watch out for
- Rules on who can work on drains and sewers differ by province and city, so check before you advertise
- Commercial general liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire (rules vary by province)
- Risk of damaging old or fragile pipes, so explain limits to customers before you start
- Exposure to sewage, so use proper PPE and hygiene
- Frozen lines in winter and busy spring thaws can make income uneven
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a drain clearing business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your van and whether you start with drain snakes or add a drum machine and water jetter.
How much can a drain clearing service earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on call-out volume and your pricing. Frozen lines in winter and busy spring thaws can make income uneven.
Do I need a licence to clear drains in Canada?
Rules on who can work on drains and sewers differ by province and city, so check before you advertise. Also check insurance needs, including commercial general liability, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire, as rules vary by province.
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