•  Licensed & insured — Red Seal certified technicians

  •  Lightning-Fast Service — same-day appointments available

  • Zero dispatch fee — you approve the price before we touch anything

  •  Licensed & insured — Red Seal certified technicians

  •  Lightning-Fast Service — same-day appointments available

  • Zero dispatch fee — you approve the price before we touch anything

Our Experience

20

+

Years serving vancouver island

Google Rating

4.9

★ 

Hundreds of Reviews

Track Record

10,000

+

Jobs completed

Same-Day & Emergency Service Available

Fast Response Plumbing Support for Nanaimo Homeowners

Many Nanaimo homes — especially older properties and those near mature trees — deal with aging pipes, root intrusion, or hidden blockages that get worse over time.

From Recurring Problems to Reliable Flow

 Our process finds the actual cause and fixes it for good — not a temporary patch that fails again next season.

01

inspect & diagnose

We run our professional camera down the line to locate the exact cause, included free with any qualifying drain cleaning service.

02

clear & repair

From stubborn clogs to damaged lines, we clear the blockage at the source with professional-grade equipment.

03

prevent future loss

We show you what we found and give clear advice to keep your system flowing for the long haul.

Emergency Drain, Sewer & Water Heater Services

Many emergency calls involve blocked drains, sewer issues, or no hot water. Our fully equipped service vehicles are ready for all of it.

Emergency Drain Cleaning

Fast clearing of blocked kitchen, bathroom and main drains before a backup causes damage.

Sewer Backup Response

Rapid response to sewer backups to contain the mess and restore safe drainage.

Main Line Clearing

Clearing blocked main sewer lines that leave multiple fixtures backing up at once.

Drain Camera Inspections

HD camera diagnosis to pinpoint the exact cause of a sewer or drain emergency.

Emergency Drain Cleaning

Fast clearing of blocked kitchen, bathroom and main drains before a backup causes damage.

What To Do Before We Arrive

If it’s safe to do so, these steps help limit damage while a technician is on the way. Call us and we’ll guide you through them over the phone.

Shut Off the Main Water Supply

Stopping water at the main valve is the fastest way to limit damage from a burst pipe or major leak.

Avoid Using Affected Fixtures

Stop using the fixture or appliance connected to the problem to prevent the issue from getting worse.

Stay Clear of Standing Water

Keep away from standing water near electrical outlets or appliances, safety comes first.

Limit Further Water Use

Reduce water use throughout the home until our technician arrives to assess and resolve the issue.

What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?

Some plumbing problems can wait until tomorrow. Others need immediate professional attention to prevent damage, safety hazards, or loss of essential water service. Contact an emergency plumber if you’re experiencing:

Burst or Leaking Pipes

Water damage escalates by the minute

  • Rapid damage to drywall, flooring, cabinets, insulation and belongings.

  • Shut-off guidance over the phone while a technician is dispatched.

  • Fast repairs to stop the leak and protect your home.

A burst pipe or active leak can quickly damage drywall, flooring, cabinets, insulation, and personal belongings. The faster it’s addressed, the less damage you’re left to repair.

Sewer or Drain Backups

A serious health risk that can’t wait

  • Raw sewage in your living space is a genuine health hazard.

  • Main line clearing and drain camera diagnosis on site.

  • Backup response to contain and resolve the issue quickly.

Sewage backups create serious health risks and should be addressed immediately. Our professional equipment lets us identify and resolve most drain and sewer emergencies quickly and efficiently.

No Running Water or No Hot Water

Urgent for families, rentals and businesses

  • Loss of water can signal a major issue needing urgent diagnosis.

  • Hot water failures, leaks, failed tanks, tankless and gas/electric issues.

  • Same-day options for replacement where possible.

No hot water can become an urgent issue fast — especially for families, businesses and rental properties. We troubleshoot and, where possible, offer same-day replacement options.

Gas Smells & Water Damage Threats

Safety-critical situations

  • Suspected gas leak? Leave the area and contact emergency services first.

  • Then call a licensed gas professional to make it safe.

  • Structural threats to walls, ceilings, floors or foundation need fast action.

If you suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately and contact emergency services if necessary before calling a licensed gas professional. Leaks affecting walls, ceilings, floors or foundations should be addressed quickly to minimize further damage.

Why Nanaimo homeowners choose Thunderbird Plumbing

Fast. Local. Reliable Plumbing Expertise.

Honest, experienced technicians who are fully licensed and insured and treat your home with care and respect. From Nanaimo and Cedar to Lantzville, we know the common plumbing challenges in your area — from aging infrastructure to root intrusion. We show up on time, communicate clearly, and stand behind our work.

Fast Response Times

We understand plumbing emergencies cannot wait.

Honest, Experienced Technicians

Professionals focused on practical, quality solutions.

Transparent Pricing

Clear communication and upfront pricing before work.

Not All Drain & Sewer Services Are the Same

Choosing the right plumber can mean the difference between a quick patch and a permanent solution.

Feature

  • Diagnosis Accuracy

  • Solution Quality

  • Equipment Used

  • Pricing

  • Home Protection

  • Local Expertise

  • Customer Experience

  • Camera inspection to find the true root cause

  • Fixes designed to prevent repeat issues

  • Modern tools and HD inspection technology

  • Clear, upfront pricing before any work begins

  • Clean, careful work throughout your home

  • Deep knowledge of Nanaimo plumbing and aging infrastructure

  • Professional, respectful, and communicative

Typical Plumbing Service

  • Quick assessment, often symptom-based

  • Temporary fixes that may not last

  • Limited diagnostic tools

  • Hourly rates and surprise call-out fees

  • Can be rushed or less careful

  • General plumbing knowledge, not always area specific

  • Inconsistent service quality

What Our Customers Are Saying

Real Google reviews from local homeowners across Vancouver Island.

2 weeks ago

 ”Thunderbird Plumbing showed up quickly, explained everything clearly, and solved a drain problem we had for years. Professional from start to finish. Highly recommend to anyone in Victoria.”

1 month ago

“Quick response and professional service. They solved a recurring drain issue no one else could fix. Worth every penny — the problem hasn’t come back since.”

3 weeks ago

“Honest, reliable, and very knowledgeable team. They showed us the camera footage, explained the issue clearly, and fixed it properly. Best plumbing experience we’ve had.”

1 month ago

“Called Thunderbird for a blocked sewer line and they were out the same day. Very thorough inspection and clear explanation of what needed to be done. No upselling, just honest work.”

2 months ago

“Excellent service from start to finish. The technician was on time, very professional, and cleaned up completely after the job. Our drain issue is completely resolved. Will definitely use again.”

2 months ago

“Had a serious root intrusion in our sewer line. Thunderbird did a full camera inspection, explained our options clearly, and completed the repair efficiently. Very impressed with their expertise.”

6 weeks ago

Had a great experience with Thunderbird Plumbing in Nanaimo. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with from start to finish. They arrived on time, clearly explained the repairs that were needed, and completed the work efficiently and to a high standard. It’s refreshing to find a company that takes pride in their workmanship and customer service. I would highly recommend Thunderbird Plumbing to anyone looking for reliable and honest plumbing service in the Nanaimo area. Thank you for the excellent work!

6 weeks ago

Excellent service from start to finish! The plumber arrived on time, was professional, friendly, and quickly fixed the issue. The work was done efficiently and everything was left clean and tidy. Great communication, fair pricing, and outstanding customer service. Highly recommend Thunderbird Plumbing!

3 months ago

I’ve been a customer at Thunderbird Plumbing for over a decade. They always provide excellent service. This time my old on-demand water heater finally needed to be replaced. The first visit was to diagnose the problem and the second to do the replacement. On both occasions the communication about the appointment was excellent. Zach J, who did the assessment and the work, was a pleasure to deal with. All my questions were answered. Everything went smoothly and took a little less time than expected. I’m very glad to have this particular creature comfort back! And I highly recommend this company.

2 months ago

The Thunderbird Plumbing tech, Quincy, was great. Good communicator. Did the job quickly and efficiently. Was thoughtful enough to ask whether there was any other issue he could help with, which there was. This saved me another call out. The prices were very reasonable. I absolutely recommend Thunderbird and Quincy.

2 weeks ago

From start to end I found Thunderbird and the tech Brodie to be friendly, quick, and professional. I am pleased with the job completed and will be using them for future work! A+ experience.

a months ago

Super fast and professional service. I called to inquire about replacing my hot water tank (not an emergency, just thought it was time), and they arranged to send someone out the next day – and then called to offer an even earlier appointment that day when they had a cancellation. Quincy called me on his way here and offered to quote me over the phone if I could send him some pictures of my old tank, so that he could arrive prepared and ready to work if I agreed with the quote. Once on site, he clearly and thoroughly explained the work he needed to do, including work to bring my tank up to code, and did a great job, leaving me with a brand new tank and the place as clean as he found it. My cats also thoroughly enjoyed him, lol. Thunderbird’s pricing wasn’t necessarily as cheap as AI and Reddit research suggested it would be, but for the quality of work, the replacement tank, and the prompt and professional service, it was very good value for money and I’m happy. Will definitely use Quincy and Thunderbird next time we need plumbing services.

4 months ago

We use Thunderbird for our Vacation Rental management business. They have installed an on demand boiler, numerous service calls, re-plumbed existing drain lines in old houses and can troubleshoot very well and efficiently. Great team, great service. Thank you Janea, Quincy, Zach and the rest of the company for delivering a top notch customer experience and quality work.
Orion & Lesley ~ Coast & Host Vacation Rentals

4 months ago

Thunderbird is excellent. Their customer service is fantastic, our staff are well treated by their techs and we are always so pleased with their recommendations and labor. Our organization uses Thunderbird regularly and its so wonderful to have a helpful, trustworthy, reliable and kind team to help us with time sensitive and essential projects.

6 months ago

Thunderbird Plumbing completed our home’s Poly-B and mainline replacement. As with any major project, a few hiccups arose along the way, but Shaun and the Poly-B team listened carefully to our concerns and addressed them promptly and professionally. Thank you to Derek for an excellent job on the drainage trench and pipe.
Cole and his plumbing crew did solid, efficient work throughout the project. Dale and Shamboo were outstanding—the repairs were done to a high standard and everything was left looking great.
Overall, we were pleased with the responsiveness and quality of work from the entire team.

6 months ago

We thought Brodie was excellent, seemed to really know what he was doing, had a plan for the removal of the Poly B and replace with Pex piping in our 3 story house and was very good at explaining the job. Would definitely recommend Brodie and Thunderbird Plumbing for this type of project.

7 months ago

Toby did a great job and repairing a leak of some pipes in our crawl space. He contacted me in advance and was able to come 30 minutes sooner which was helpful. He explained everything to me that he was going to do before repairing the leak and also explained that other work should be done and that he would send me a quote for this the same day. I would most definitely use Thunderbird plumbing again. The price was reasonable.

8 months ago

Brodie carefully replaced the cartridges in the faucets that fill my claw foot tub, and very senior bathroom sink, in my 1911 home. I really appreciated how he communicated his arrival time, arrived on time, was respectful of my possessions/ house, was sweet with my pets, was knowledgable when diagnosing the problems, and explained the problems to me with patience. Brodie was efficient and capable; funny and kind. This is the third time I’ve used Thunderbird Plumbing, and I feel lucky to have discovered them.

9 months ago

Both times I’ve called on Thunderbird the people I’ve worked with have been great and the price has been competitive. They don’t charge a call-out fee and their prices are fixed instead of hourly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Emergency Plumbing Questions, Answered

Yes — a professional video inspection of your drain system is included with any qualifying drain cleaning service. It’s our way of making sure we find the real problem, not just the obvious one. Call us at 778-486-3770 and we’ll confirm what’s covered for your situation.

 If it’s safe, shut off your main water supply and avoid using the affected fixture. Call us and we’ll walk you through the rest over the phone while a technician is on the way.

 Leave the area immediately and contact emergency services if necessary. Once it’s safe, call a licensed gas professional. Never attempt to fix a suspected gas leak yourself.

 Yes. We provide emergency response for sewer backups, blocked drains, burst pipes, and no hot water — including same-day water heater replacement where possible.

 

 We serve Nanaimo and the surrounding communities, including Cedar, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, and Cassidy.

Need help right now?

For the fastest response during an emergency, call us directly. You can also send details below and our team will reach out right away.

Transparent Pricing

Clear, upfront pricing before any work begins — no surprises after the job is done.

Same-Day Service Available

We prioritise urgent drain and sewer issues across Nanaimo whenever possible.

Advanced Drain Equipment

 Professional drain machines, sewer cameras, and hydro jetting equipment for every job.

Free Camera Inspection

 A professional video inspection of your drain system, included with any qualifying drain cleaning service.

Prefer calling instead?

Request Emergency Service

For the fastest response, call us now. Prefer to send details? Fill out the form and our team will contact you right away.

Address(Required)
Max. file size: 128 MB.
Care+ membership
Ask us about Care+ - members save 10% on repairs, get a free annual inspection, and an extra year of warranty. We'll mention it when we call.
Please check the box below.
  • Your information is kept private and only used to schedule your service.