Drain Works Plumbing

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Drain Works Plumbing reviews (1699)

  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 27 Feb 2007

    New Underground Sewer Tiles Inside and Out.

    The reason for my contacting DrainWorks in the first place was because the Main Sewer Drain backed up in my basement. From the first call I made to DrainWorks to assertain the problem to the compleation of there work was seamless. Armando was my main contact. he scoped the drain with a camera so I could see all the cracked tiles and root infestation. After we assertained what the problem was, they went to work the very next day. Two days later after ALL the work was done, you would never have known they were there. The work was done quick and so very clean. I would recomend DrainWorks to anybody and thank you Armando for all your help and assistance. Russell Pearsall

    Answer from pro:

    When doing major repairs to their home, most people fear that their property or landscaping will be damaged or left in disarray. Just as you, and many of our other customers have experienced, this is not the case at DrainWorks. All of our highly trained technicians will respect your home and all measures will be made to ensure cleanliness and a seamless repair. We are happy to provide service excellence to all our customers and we appreciate you taking the time to acknowledge our company's efforts. -Terry

    Reply created 5 Mar 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 21 Feb 2007

    Residential Work

    Drainworks is the kind of company that sets an example for all the others. They are telling the truth when they say they're the smartest choice in the book. We found them sort of by accident when we saw one of their well-marked trucks on our street. We had recently undergone extensive home renovations. The original contractor's plumber made some very bad decisions, leaving us with a lot of difficult plumbing problems. Some of our drains wouldn¹t work one of our toilets filled with hot water instead of cold pipes leaked it was awful. Right from the start, Drainworks was efficient. Their technician was well-trained, assessed our problems, offered solutions, gave us a written quote and cleaned up carefully before leaving the house. It all worked! We have counted on Drainworks for all our plumbing needs ever since and they have never failed us.

    Answer from pro:

    We appreciate the time you took to write this review. You are correct! We do set an example for the plumbing industry. We are often imitated but never duplicated. The fact that we send you technicians who are full time salary based employees rather than commission-driven temporary employees ensures that you receive a written quote for only the work that needs to be done and never any unnecessary repairs. We were able to take a messy situation caused by another contractor and correct it efficiently. We appreciate your business and continued trust in DrainWorks for all of your plumbing and drain needs. -Terry

    Reply created 28 Feb 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 19 Feb 2007

    Called for service for blocked drains.

    We called for services, after we had a problem with our drains in the basement, and the dispatcher was very helpful, promptly sending out a technician to diagnose the problem. Our services were provided by Lou, a dig supervisor. He examined the system, and explained the cause of our problems, and explained what would be required to resolve the breakdown in the pipes. The next day he arrives with a crew to commence the repairs, and explained each step of the process as it was going on, as well as the further repairs he felt would be positive for the future of the house's drainage system. The work was done very quickly, and very well. I would have no hesitation about reccomending Drain Works to anyone who needed such service, thank to the excellent work of Lou and his crew.

    Answer from pro:

    Thanks for your review. We pride ourselves on customer service in fact, it is the bedrock of our company. From your first point of contact with DrainWorks, right through to diagnosing the problem and completion of the repair, we always keep you informed. Our dispatchers and technicians are here to ensure your experience with our company is as efficient and economical as possible. We value your business and your kind words. -Terry

    Reply created 28 Feb 2007
  • Review from Chris Eben
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 15 Feb 2007

    Drains backing up

    I was very impressed with DrainWorks. The service, professionalism and quality were all top notch. If you have any plumbing issues and want a company you can trust that will fix the problem and give you a good price, DrainWorks is for you. I would recommend their services to anyone.

    Answer from pro:

    At DrainWorks we strive for excellence in all areas ensuring that our service exceeds your expectations. We believe that our professionalism, cleanliness, and thoroughness all contribute to the quality of our work. You just can't have one without the other. DrainWorks provides you with total service from start to finish. Thank you for spending your time to post this review about your experience with our company. -Terry

    Reply created 28 Feb 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 12 Feb 2007

    Plugged Drain Pipe to the Street

    Besides a home on the same street, we have two three bedromm triplexes and when it comes to a tall order have always felt confidence to call DrainWorks for service. There's an unique drain pipe system spread through the triplexes that services the kitchens and laundry room that was plugged - some flooding when dish washers were used and in the laundry room - a big inconvenience for 3 families. We called DrainWorks they mentioned their work load because of the very cold weather yet promised next day service saying "they would keep us informed" This was a nice touch which we could pass along to the tenants. I was was very impressed by the professionalism shown by the person who serviced and cleared a complicated problem not only skills but the polite treatment of our tennants and their home. He even showed me an easier step should this problem happen again. In all, the work was beyond expectation and we were very pleased with the price - $165.00.

    Answer from pro:

    We have the experience and knowledge to deal with what may seem like a complicated drainage system, and competently resolve the problem the first time. This saves you from repeated visits and disruptions to the families living at your properties. We do everything in our power to ensure that your time is not wasted waiting for us to arrive. We will always provide you with a courtesy call to indicate when the technician is on his way. Just as you kept your tenants informed, we do the same with our customers. Thanks again for choosing DrainWorks. -Terry

    Reply created 28 Feb 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 12 Feb 2007

    Resolve persistent drain fly/sewage odor problem

    We used Drainworks to help us solve a persistent drain fly and odor problem. For years we had detected a slight odor in our main drain in our laundry room. It was probably "light" because it was covered by a floor carpet. After doing some renovations in rooms adjoining our laundry room we decided to also replace the laundry room floor. Almost coincident with this change we experienced a sewage backup. We used another company to solve this problem by cleaning out the blockage at the main drain connecting the house to the city line. Sewage backup solved but not the odor, and we began to have drainflies. Drainworks came in promptly, detected the potential causes, and solved the problem methodically with cost and our home disruption in mind. First step was to review the condition of our drainage/sewer system and power wash it to remove all residue. This required minimal interuption and no mess. However, it didn't solve the problem. The ultimate solution was very invasive...capping off the downspout lines which were harvesting the flies, while digging up our new laundry room floor to reroute the sewage line. Problem solved. We found all of the staff at drainworks, from the reception desk to the folks in field doing the work, to be professional, responsible, and timely. After digging up our floor and fixing the problem, you wouldn't even have known that the work had been done. They were clean and left the work area like it was when they first entered our home.

    Answer from pro:

    Thank you for taking the time to post your review about our service. It is a common occurrence where DrainWorks is called after another company has failed to provide a permanent solution to an existing issue. We pride ourselves in spending the time required to assess the situation step by step, all the while keeping you informed by our experienced and courteous staff. We understand that as a homeowner you want the job done properly the first time instead of having to deal with multiple intrusive problems in your home. This is why we take the large picture into account to foresee and prevent future problems. Thank you again for your review. -Terry

    Reply created 28 Feb 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 5 out of 5
    Review left on 29 Jan 2007

    Rip up basement floor, replace drain under house

    Guess I shouldn't complain about the price - $250 to look at the problem via camera then $2300 to rip up floor and fix problem - as I now have drain that works! They identified the problem one day, and had a team in the next to fix the problem. They had to rip open a two meter area of floor, replace the pipe, replace a floor drain with three connections into it, and hand dig under a harwood finished section of the floor so it could be saved! There was a small issue re the levelling of the concrete around the drain - a tough floor to do anyway - but they came back right away and fixed it. The guys did a great job of keeping the mess under control - tough when you are cutting open concrete and digging in the house.

    Answer from pro:

    Thanks so much for taking the time to post your note. It's unfortunate you felt the work was expensive, but it's a common response we all have when any of&#160us&#160get any kind of service done (ever had a simple brake job done? The price can be shocking). Fortunately, most of us don't ever have to deal with these kinds of situations more than once, if at all. The point being that a job as involved as digging and repairing a drain is all new to most consumers, and so are the costs associated with the work, which can help explain the perception of expense. It's probably the first time you've ever had to pay for this kind of work. We are committed fully to keeping all costs down as low as we can - we're customers too. That's why we painstakingly explain all required work and get your approval before we start any of it. Nobody likes surprises and we never give you any. In your instance, we had to do some work that just couldn't be avoided and while no one likes to spend money, we are proud of the fact that we did save the floor and that your drains are working flawlessly, which helps to protect your most valuable asset, your home. Again, thank you for your business and for taking the time to comment. Terry Cord, President and Founder DrainWorks Plumbing and Drains

    Reply created 11 Feb 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 4 out of 5
    Review left on 21 Jan 2007

    Kitchen and bathroom drains plugged.

    I called Drainworks to unclog my kitchen and bathroom drains. Being in the Power Generation industry for 35 years, I can say I know something about pipes and drains . I couldn't free up the drains myself because I was going to have surgery on my hand. I called the dispatch number, and the person made note of my problem and said he would send someone out that morning. He also said that Drainworks would keep me posted via phone when a technician is on his way.Well, he followed through with that and called me the moment the service rep was on his way.When Mike came to the door he slipped on plastic slippers over his work boots so as not to dirty my floors and assessed the problem. He said it should take a few moments to snake the drains and all should be ok.Before he started to work, however,he explained the cost of the job to me up- front .I agreed to the price and he unplugged the drains with his electric snake in moments. I knew this as I have done it many times in indusry.When all was finished, Mike washed the tub out and cleaned the bathroom floor of any drips from his equipment.He made out the bill listing the work he did and I paid him.It frustrated me that I couldn't relieve the drains myself because of my hand and I was very leery to call "anybody" for a job I know was simple enough to do but couldn't! Drainworks followed through with everything they said they were going to do before they sent someone out and delivered on that promise.

    Answer from pro:

    Just like anyone else, there are certain things that scare me as well. For some it's the dentist, the car mechanic or technology. Not knowing what to expect from certain companies or people even having an understanding of the trade itself, can still be nerve racking. As a local Toronto plumbing company that prides itself in not only taking the fear out of plumbing and drain cleaning services, but striving for honesty and excellence in everything we do, we truly appreciate hearing this feedback. We believe our upfront pricing and commission free employees are steps in the right direction for taking some of the client's fears out of the plumbing and drain cleaning service experience. We have also posted on our website exactly what you can expect on your service call. As we continue to evolve and strive to lead our industry, we appreciate any and all feedback regarding your experiences with my company. Thank you Terry Cord Founder and President DrainWorks Plumbing

    Reply created 23 Jan 2007
  • Review from HomeOwner
    Rating: 1 out of 5
    Review left on 29 Sep 2006

    Drain repair.

    We had an emergency with a collapsed drain. We selected the company based on customer service awards - BBB involvement. While filling up the hole outside which they dug to fix the problem, they used water to pack the soil; this in turn flooded our basement with muddy water. When Drainworks was asked to clean up the mess, we were told to find a cleaning company ourselves, and give them the receipt. We said, YOU made the mess, YOU find the company and get it cleaned up. The representative we were dealing with had to get permission from his supervisor. Reluctantly they agreed. We asked for compensation for a desk that had sustained water damage, but were told that there was no proof the flood caused the damage, so they were not responsible. At this point, they had the nerve to ask for the balance of payment for the drain work, while there was still mud in the basement, and a carpet sopping with dirty water. We told them that they would get payment once the mess was cleaned up...no sooner. Again, after a lengthy phone call with his supervisor, we were told that it's not how they normally do things, but in this case they'd make an exception. We don't consider this a favour, but rather a responsible business practice. The company hired to clean up the mess, was pleasant enough to deal with, but understaffed to complete the job in a timely fashion. From initial drain work, to completion of clean up, one month passed. To sum up, Drainworks did not impress with their customer service. While it's true that accidents happen, it's a company's reaction in fixing the problem that is a testament to their worth. Drainworks failed this test miserably.

    Answer from pro:

    When this posting was brought to my attention, I was shocked. I have absolutely no problem with anyone's right to express what they did or did not like about a service experience, but this posting seems at odds to us for several reasons: 1. This is the second version of this message posted on HomeStars dated September 30, 2006. The first version, a shorter one, basically accused my company of extorting this client. After a complaint from us to HomeStars, this longer version replaced the original post. In both incidents, we expressed our dismay to HomeStars in the lack of fairness of posting such a damaging message without even contacting the supposedly offending company as a basic means of validating the story. After all, HomeStars obviously approached the poster again for a more detailed account of their side of events. 2. This complaint is from work that was started and completed 4 years ago, less two months. In the nearly 4 years since the work was completed, this client has never once registered a complaint with DrainWorks - not by phone and not by writing. Also, we are long time members of the Better Business Bureau and they never received a complaint on this matter. That seems odd given that the poster is still clearly upset by the incident 3. It's true that water seeped into this client's basement, but in large measure was a result of the process used (very standard) and an area of the client's basement floor that was not properly concreted - something neither of us expected. This really was accidental. 4. We never told the client to fix the damage themselves. We offered to allow them to use a supplier of their preference. Failing that, we would fix it, which we did using a supplier that is a preferred supplier for many of the insurance firms in the G.T.A. 5. We never took a month to complete the work. The plumbing portion was done in 3 days, but the clean up and return of the professionally cleaned rug took a bit longer, but to the best of my knowledge, not a month. 6. If there was any damage to any furniture, it would have been attended to. What would be the value in having a carpet professionally removed, cleaned and sanitized offsite, as well as reinstalled, only to have the client still upset due to the fact that their furniture was left unattended to? It's simple there was no furniture damage, nor was there any drywall or framing damage ( I raise this to counter the "basement full of water" claim). There certainly was some water and silt in the basement and it was repaired perfectly at no additional cost to the client. 7. We've been members of the BBB (Better Business Bureau) forever. We've been awarded 6 consecutive Consumer's Choice awards for Drain Service excellence, and unlike most companies in plumbing, our staff are technicians who are full time salary based employees rather than commission-driven temporary employees. I share this information to support my point that we are simply not in the habit of letting clients down or taking advantage of them. We sincerely regret any discomfort this client ever experienced. In closing, I reiterate that we respect everyone's right to express their opinion, but that doesn't mean that a post or review shouldn't be honest and fair. I would encourage HomeStars that the best support and protection for a client is honest and fair discourse. Anything less is convenient at best and completely irresponsible at worst. Sincerely, Terry Cord Founder and President, DrainWorks Plumbing

    Reply created 29 Nov 2006