What happens when a homeowner asks ChatGPT for a drain company and your business never gets mentioned?
That is a new challenge for plumbing and drain cleaning contractors. Customers still search Google and check reviews. But now some are also asking AI tools which local companies they should call.
Through 360 Media Consulting, I’ve worked on the search visibility strategy for Pro Drain Techs, a drain inspection and repair company in Edmonton, Alberta. This is what we tested, what changed, and what other contractors can take from it.
Results at a glance:
- 8,410 Google Generative AI feature impressions from May 18 to Aug. 12, 2026.
- Recommended in all six high-intent AI searches included in one recorded test, with six top-three placements.
- 21 recorded mentions in a separate assessment of four AI platforms.
- 393,000 impressions and about 3,190 clicks in a broader Google Web search report covering the displayed January-August 2026 period.
- Pro Drain Techs has, at times, been booked months ahead. That business result reflects its overall marketing and reputation, not AI alone.
Together, these results show how Pro Drain Techs is building a stronger online presence through both AI-powered search and traditional Google search, creating more opportunities for potential customers to discover and connect with the company.
This chart shows where Google’s AI features most often pulled Pro Drain Techs into results during the reporting period. Instead of relying on one page alone, the site showed visibility across several core service and problem-focused pages.
What were people actually asking AI?
We focused the recommendation test on searches tied to services a customer might hire a contractor to perform — not questions about fixing a pipe themselves:
- Top drain repair companies in Edmonton
- Trusted drain maintenance providers in Edmonton
- Best CIPP lining companies in Edmonton
- Top drain bursting companies in Edmonton
- Best drain line inspection companies in Edmonton
- Affordable sewer scope providers in Edmonton
Pro Drain Techs appeared in recommendations for all six searches in that test. The same test recorded six top-three placements and eight citations described as high-authority. These are test results, not permanent rankings: Answers can change by date, location, question wording and platform.
Four platforms, 21 recorded mentions
A separate AI visibility assessment listed the following platform mentions:
- Google Gemini / Google AI search: 8
- Perplexity: 8
- Claude: 3
- ChatGPT: 2
That is 21 mentions across the four platforms. The platform count and six-search recommendation test are separate measurements; the published case study does not show an exact question-by-question breakdown for every platform.
What we worked on behind the scenes
There was no magic “AI ranking” button. Most of the work came down to making the company easier to understand and easier to verify online:
- Clear service pages. Explain the jobs you actually want: drain inspections, sewer scopes, CIPP lining, drain bursting and pipe repair.
- Accurate Google Business Profile. Keep service information, locations and business details current.
- A consistent reputation. Reviews, trustworthy listings and accurate third-party mentions help customers check who you are.
- Stronger outside references. Build legitimate mentions and citations beyond your own website rather than relying on self-promotion.
- Ongoing measurement. Recheck the same buying-intent searches and track whether those appearances turn into real inquiries.
We also developed approximately 50 question-and-answer resources across the company’s service areas. But it’s not necessarily about the volume of content; it is whether the company clearly explains the services that customers are willing to pay for.
Traditional Google search still brings in traffic
AI is one more way to be discovered. It has not replaced Google search for Pro Drain Techs.
In the broader Google Search Console Web report, Pro Drain Techs recorded approximately 393,000 impressions and 3,190 clicks during the displayed January-August 2026 period. Our work on traditional SEO efforts helped establish that search presence, independently of the specific AI recommendation tests.
This matters because an established contractor should not drop a working lead source to chase a new one. A solid website, local search visibility and a credible reputation can support both conventional search and AI discovery.
What can a drain cleaning contractor do this month?
Check whether AI recommends you. Ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude who provides drain cleaning, sewer scopes, CIPP lining or sewer repair in your city. Try several real customer questions without naming your company. Record whether you show up, who your competitors are and which sources the answers cite.
Use a live AI visibility checker. We developed the AI Search Visibility tool at 360 Media Consulting to give contractors a practical way to check how their business appears across leading AI platforms using live searches, rather than relying only on old screenshots or reports. It can help reveal whether your company is being mentioned and where competitors are showing up. AI answers are not fixed. Recommendations may change from one search to the next depending on the timing, wording and platform. That makes checking regularly more useful than treating one result as permanent. Contractors can try the tool here: AI Search Visibility tool.
Build authority beyond your own website. A company saying it does excellent work is one thing. Independent businesses, associations and publications talking about its work is more convincing. Focus on real industry mentions, relevant local directories, trusted business profiles and legitimate editorial references — not bulk links or paid endorsements disguised as recommendations.
Get your real projects published as case studies. Document jobs worth talking about: A difficult sewer repair, a trenchless CIPP lining project or a challenging drain inspection. Explain the problem, the work performed and the outcome, with permission and photos where available. Share those stories on your site and pitch genuinely useful versions to trade publications, suppliers, local media and industry groups. Quality and relevance matter more than the number of placements.
Make your business information consistent. Check that your website, Google Business Profile and major listings show the same services, contact details and service area.
Track the calls, not just the mentions. Ask new customers how they found you and measure actual inquiries and booked jobs. AI visibility is valuable only if it supports real business results.
The bottom line
Pro Drain Techs gained measurable visibility in Google’s AI features and appeared in multiple AI recommendation tests. At the same time, its established organic search program kept generating broader Google exposure and clicks.
The company has also reported periods of being booked months ahead. That is good news, but it would be misleading to say AI alone filled the schedule. Search, reputation, referrals and other marketing all play a part.
For a contractor, the goal is straightforward: When someone needs drain or sewer work, make sure they can find your business, see what you do and feel confident calling you — whether they use Google or ask an AI tool.
About the results: The Google AI figures reflect May 18-Aug. 12, 2026, while the broader Google Search results cover January-August 2026. The platform mentions and recommendation tests offer another view of how Pro Drain Techs is becoming more visible when customers search for drain and sewer services.
About the Author
Scott Patrick Melnyk is founder of 360 Media Consulting. Visit 360mediaconsulting.com.
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