What drainage dye testing typically costs
| Dye test, one property | $389–$689Depends on how many fixtures and drains are tested. |
|---|
Typical prices in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026, before tax. They are a guide, not our quote. Too much depends on your home to price these jobs unseen, so your price is set on site, in writing, before any work starts.
When you need it
- Nobody knows where a drain or downspout actually goes
- The city has asked you to prove storm and sanitary are separate
- Water is turning up somewhere and you need to find the source
What changes the price
| Number of drains tested | Each fixture or downspout is a separate test. |
|---|---|
| Access to the outlets | Manholes, sumps and cleanouts have to be found and opened. |
| Reporting | A written report for the city or a buyer takes more time than a verbal answer. |
What the job involves
- Agree which fixtures or drains are being tested and why.
- Open the manholes, sumps or cleanouts where the water should appear.
- Add non-toxic coloured dye and run water behind it.
- Watch each outlet, record what appears where, and give you the result in writing if you need it.
- Time on site
- Usually 1 to 3 hours
How pricing works for this job
There is no one price for drainage dye testing, because the factors above change it from one home to the next. It is done on time: $289 for the first hour, then $189 an hour, plus parts. If it turns out to be a bigger job, you get a written estimate before the plumber carries on.
Call 1-800-604-0631.
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Questions people ask
How much does drainage dye testing cost in Metro Vancouver?
Dye test, one property: $389–$689. Typical prices in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in 2026, before tax. They are a guide, not our quote. Too much depends on your home to price these jobs unseen, so your price is set on site, in writing, before any work starts.
Is the dye safe?
Yes. It is non-toxic and made for the purpose. It colours the water for a short time and washes through.
Why would the city ask for this?
To confirm rainwater is not going into the sanitary sewer, or sewage into the storm system. Cross-connections are common in older homes.
Can it find a leak?
It can show where water from one fixture ends up, which often finds the source of water appearing somewhere it should not.
How is drainage dye testing priced?
It is done on time: $289 for the first hour, then $189 an hour, plus parts. If it turns out to be a bigger job, you get a written estimate before the plumber carries on.
What does it cost after hours?
Regular hours are 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, every rate is double. If it can safely wait until the morning, it costs half as much.
