Otterly Reliable
We show up on time, every time. If we say 2 PM, we're there at 2 PM — not a four-hour window. Your time matters.
About Ottr Plumr
Red Seal plumber.
Welland born & back.
Ottr Plumr is owned and operated by Alex Malkaya — a fully licensed Interprovincial Journeyman Plumber with his Red Seal certification and over 7 years of hands-on experience. Based in Welland, serving every corner of the Niagara Region.
When you call Ottr Plumr, you're getting Alex — on-site, in person, doing the work himself. Not a dispatcher, not an apprentice, not a sub. A Red Seal journeyman who treats your home like his own.
Red Seal certified
7+
Years in the trade
Red Seal
Interprovincial certified
24/7
Emergency dispatch
12+
Niagara cities served
Owner & Red Seal
Alex's story
Hi, I'm Alex.
I started my plumbing apprenticeship right here in Hamilton, Ontario — learning the trade from the ground up in my own backyard. I've always believed there's no substitute for doing the work yourself, getting your hands dirty, and figuring things out on real job sites.
When the pandemic hit and construction slowed across Ontario, I made a tough call: I headed west to Victoria, BC, where the building industry was still going strong. I spent three years out there working full-time while finishing my schooling — long days on site, then evenings in class. It was a grind, but that's what the trade asks of you.
That hard work paid off with my Red Seal certification — the Interprovincial Journeyman standard that lets me work anywhere in Canada and demonstrates I've met the highest national benchmark for the trade. Then I came home to Niagara, where I belong, and built Ottr Plumr.
Today you'll still find me on-site for most jobs. I'm not a guy who sits in an office while apprentices do the work — I show up, I do the job, and I stand behind it. Every customer gets straight answers, honest pricing, and work that's warrantied in writing.
What we stand for
Our promise to every Niagara customer
These aren't marketing slogans. They're the standards Alex holds himself to on every single job, from a $90 faucet swap to a full heating system replacement.
Red Seal Certified
Alex holds his Interprovincial Red Seal — the highest journeyman standard in Canada. Every job is done to code, every time.
Warrantied Work
Every install and repair comes with a written workmanship warranty. If something we touched causes a problem, we come back and fix it.
Local to Niagara
Based in Welland, we live and work in this community. We treat your home like it's in our neighbourhood — because it is.
Why local matters
We know Niagara plumbing inside and out
Older housing stock
A large portion of Niagara's homes were built before 1970 — galvanized steel pipes, clay sewer laterals, and aging water lines are common. Alex has worked on all of it and knows when to repair vs. when to replace.
Niagara's hard water
The region's limestone bedrock means hard water that scales up water heaters and clogs fixtures faster than most of Ontario. Alex factors this into every install and recommends filtration when it makes sense for your home.
Canal-area water tables
Properties near the Welland Canal and Lake Ontario shoreline can see high water table pressure that stresses sump pump systems year-round. Alex specs every sump pump install to your actual site conditions.
Niagara winters
Temperatures regularly drop below -15°C here. Alex knows which pipe runs freeze first in Niagara homes and how to insulate them properly — saving you a burst pipe call at 2 AM in January.
Questions
About Alex & Ottr Plumr
Is Alex a licensed plumber in Ontario?
Yes. Alex holds his Interprovincial Red Seal certification — the gold standard for journeyman tradespeople in Canada — as well as his Ontario Certificate of Qualification. He is fully licensed to perform plumbing work anywhere in Ontario and across Canada.
What is a Red Seal plumber?
The Red Seal (Interprovincial Standards Program) is the highest level of journeyman certification in Canada. It means the tradesperson has passed a rigorous national exam on top of their provincial apprenticeship, demonstrating competency to work in any province or territory. It is widely considered the gold standard for plumbing tradespeople.
Does Alex personally show up to jobs?
For most jobs, yes. Alex is a hands-on owner who is on-site for the majority of service calls. When he brings additional help on larger jobs, every technician works under his direct supervision and to his standards.
Do you serve all of the Niagara Region?
Yes. We cover the entire Niagara Region including Welland, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Thorold, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Grimsby, Lincoln, Pelham, Niagara-on-the-Lake, West Lincoln, and Wainfleet.
What makes Ottr Plumr different from other Niagara plumbers?
Every job is handled by Ottr Plumr's qualified, licensed team — trained to Red Seal standards. Honest pricing, no surprises, and every job backed by a written warranty.
What customers say
Real Niagara homeowners. Real jobs.
We were extremely happy with the excellent service we received from Alex. My wife and I called him after hours later in the evening when we were afraid of water backing up from our drains and he went above and beyond arriving quickly.
Alex T
Prompt service and friendly manner. Worked quickly to diagnose the problem (fridge water line) which he replaced with a steel beaded line that will last and not dry out. Great response.
Donald W Hawken
Shout out to Alex and his assistant Alex for an excellent job completed on a timely basis. From a nightmare (replacing the complete vent stack from roof to basement) to a functioning system with all work done professionally. Should I ever require plumbing service it will be Alex at Plumr.
John
Ready to book?
Work with a Red Seal plumber in Niagara
Honest pricing. No surprises. Licensed & local. Licensed, insured, and warrantied — across the entire Niagara Region.