When Calgary’s winter temperatures plummet, a clogged drain feels even more urgent; your plumbing system is already working hard against the cold, and the last thing you need is a backup adding stress to your daily routine.

The reality Calgary homeowners face is that the high mineral content in our water supply leaves deposits inside pipes, and our frigid winters cause grease to solidify faster than it would anywhere else.

The good news? You can prevent clogged drains and clear most of them by using just a few household tools.

The not-so-good news? Some clogs signal something far more serious in your home’s main sewer line that requires professional drain cleaning in Calgary before they cause expensive damage.

• Is Your Clogged Drain a Simple Fix or a Sewer Backup?
• Why Calgary Drains Clog More Often
• Top 3 DIY Fixes for Calgarians
• When DIY Fails: The Cost of Professional Help
• How To Prevent Clogged Drains

Is Your Clogged Drain a Simple Fix or a Sewer Backup?

Before you grab the plunger, take a moment to diagnose the issue.

The difference between a simple clog and a main line issue determines whether this is a DIY fix or an urgent call to a plumber.

Signs of a Simple Clog

You’re likely dealing with a straightforward blockage if water drains slowly in just one fixture.

A foul smell, like rotting food in the kitchen sink drain or hair buildup in the bathroom sink, often accompanies the slow drainage.

You might also hear gurgling sounds as air struggles to escape past the obstruction. These clogs usually form in the P-trap (the curved pipe section directly beneath your sink or tub) and respond well to basic clearing methods.

Signs of a Main Line Issue

When multiple drains in your home act up simultaneously, pay attention.

If flushing the toilet causes water to back up from your shower drains, or running the washing machine floods the basement floor drain, you’re dealing with something deeper.

Water pooling around your basement floor drain is another serious warning sign. These symptoms indicate a blockage in your home’s main sewer line, which is the large pipe that carries all wastewater away from your house.

Main line issues require immediate professional attention. Attempting to clear a main line clog yourself can worsen the problem or cause sewage to back up into your home. A video pipe inspection can pinpoint exactly where the blockage sits and what’s causing it.

Why Calgary Drains Clog More Often

Living in Calgary means dealing with plumbing challenges that homeowners in Vancouver or Toronto simply don’t face. Understanding why our kitchen and bathroom drains are more prone to clogs helps you prevent them in the first place.

Hard Water Buildup

Calgary has some of the hardest water in Canada. According to City of Calgary Water Services, our water hardness ranges from approximately 134-290mg/L CaCO3, depending on whether your home receives water from the Bow River (serving the north) or the Elbow River (serving the south).

Although the exact figure depends on the data used, Health Canada references sources that classify water as “hard” beyond 120mg/L CaCO3.

This means the calcium and magnesium in Calgary’s hard water gradually accumulate on the interior walls of your plumbing. Over time, this mineral scale narrows the pipe diameter, making it far easier for hair, soap scum, and food particles to catch and form stubborn clogs.

This results in a pipe that once handled everything you sent down the drain becoming a bottleneck after years of mineral buildup.

The “Grease & Cold” Factor

Every plumber will tell you not to pour grease down the drain, but the consequences hit faster and harder in Calgary.

When cooking oil or bacon fat enters pipes that run along exterior walls during an Alberta winter, it doesn’t slowly cool and solidify over time. It hardens almost instantly.

These solidified grease deposits combine with other debris to create what’s known as “fatbergs”: stubborn masses that cling to pipe walls and grow with every greasy pan rinse.

Unlike warmer climates, where grease might stay semi-liquid long enough to flow through to the main sewer, our cold pipes act like a refrigerator, turning liquid fats into solid blockages within minutes.

This is one reason frozen pipe problems and drain clogs often peak during the same season.

Tree Roots in Mature Neighbourhoods

If you live in one of Calgary’s established neighbourhoods (Beltline, Mount Royal, Inglewood, Bridgeland, or similar areas) your home likely has clay sewer pipes that were installed decades ago.

Clay pipes are durable, but their joints become vulnerable over time. Tree roots, seeking moisture during dry periods, find their way into these joints and grow inside the pipe.

Once inside, roots create a net-like barrier that catches toilet paper, grease, and waste, eventually causing a complete blockage. Root intrusion is a main line issue that no amount of plunging will fix.

Top 3 DIY Fixes for Calgarians

For simple clogs, these methods often do the trick without requiring a service call.

Method 1: The Boiling Water Flush

This method works best for grease-related clogs in your kitchen sink.

Boil a full kettle of water and carefully pour boiling water directly down the drain in two or three stages, allowing a few seconds between each pour for the hot water to work on the blockage.

Warning: If your home has PVC drain pipes (common in newer builds), skip the boiling water; temperatures above 80°C can soften or warp plastic piping. Instead, use the hottest water from your tap, which stays below the threshold that damages PVC.

Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar

This “science fair” method is a gentler approach for older pipes and works well for minor blockages caused by organic buildup.

Pour 1/8 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar. The mixture will fizz and create pressure that may help dislodge small clogs. Cover the drain opening and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

Important: Flush thoroughly with hot tap water immediately afterward to prevent the baking soda from forming a paste in your pipes. Note that this method is not recommended for older plumbing systems, as the pressure from the fizzing reaction can potentially cause cracks or other damage to aging pipes.

While this method won’t clear serious clogs, the baking soda and vinegar are excellent for maintenance. Using it monthly helps prevent minor buildup from becoming a major problem.

Method 3: The Plunger and Drain Snake

Sometimes you need mechanical force.

For a clogged sink, use a cup plunger (the standard flat-bottomed type). Note that toilets require a different style flange plunger with an extended rubber flap designed for the curved bowl opening, but this method is specifically for sink drains.

If plunging doesn’t work, a basic hand-crank drain snake (available at any hardware store for about $30) can reach deeper into the P-trap to break up or retrieve the blockage.

Warning: Avoid chemical drain cleaners like Drano or Liquid-Plumr. While they promise quick results, these caustic products can corrode older metal pipes common in many Calgary homes built before 1980. They’re also harmful to septic systems and the environment, and if they don’t work, you’ve now got a clogged drain full of hazardous chemicals for the plumber to deal with.

When DIY Fails: The Cost of Professional Help

If your plunger and snake haven’t budged the clog, the blockage is likely deeper than the P-trap and possibly in the main drain line running beneath your floor or yard. At this point, professional equipment and expertise become necessary.

A straightforward kitchen drain clog sits at the lower end of the cost range; a main line blockage requiring camera inspection and power equipment falls toward the higher end of the cost range.

Is it worth the cost? Consider the alternative. Water damage from a backed-up sewer can run into thousands of dollars, resulting in ruined flooring, damaged drywall, mould remediation, and the replacement of personal belongings.

According to Statistics Canada, prices for home maintenance and repairs in Canada have increased by 19.2% between 2018 and 2024. That makes early intervention not just convenient, but financially smart.

Son-Rise Plumbing & Gasfitting offers transparent, upfront on-site pricing with no hidden fees. Remember, it’s always cheaper to clear a clogged drain today than to repair water damage or replace burst pipes tomorrow.

How To Prevent Clogged Drains

Regular maintenance is your best tool for preventing clogged drains in Calgary.

Consider installing a water softener to reduce mineral buildup; it protects not only your drains but your water heater, dishwasher, and other appliances.

Monthly enzymatic drain treatments (available at most hardware stores) are also worth trying. They use natural bacteria to break down organic matter without harming your pipes.

Most importantly, know when a clog has crossed from “annoying” to “urgent.” Multiple slow drains, sewage odours, or water backing up in unexpected places all warrant immediate professional attention.

Don’t let a slow drain turn into a sewer backup. Contact Son-Rise Plumbing today for a fast, honest quote on drain cleaning! Our licensed technicians serve Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, and other surrounding neighbourhoods with prompt, reliable service.

Not sure if it’s an emergency? Book a plumbing inspection to assess your home’s main line health before a small problem becomes a costly disaster.