Fast, reliable drain clearing for homes across West Tennessee, from slow sinks to main sewer backups.
Drain problems rarely develop overnight. Most clogs and backups result from gradual buildup or obstruction that worsens over time until flow is restricted or stopped entirely.
Common causes include:
Fixture Drains
Fixture clogs typically affect a single toilet, sink, tub, shower, laundry line, or floor drain. Our technicians clear fixture blockages using professional-grade drain snakes sized to the specific line, restoring full flow in most cases during a single service call.
Main Sewer Lines
When multiple fixtures are backing up simultaneously, the issue is likely in the main sewer line. TennCo Plumbing clears main lines from the house connection to the municipal sewer or septic tank, ensuring the entire line is restored before we consider the job complete.
Our Drain Clearing Process
Every service call begins with an assessment to determine whether the issue is isolated to a single fixture or points to a main line problem. For blockages where the cause is not immediately clear, we use sewer camera inspection to identify the exact location before work begins.
Once clearing is complete, we confirm full flow restoration before leaving the job. If the inspection reveals a repair is needed rather than a clearing, we will provide an upfront estimate before any additional work proceeds.
Get a Clear Estimate
Dealing with a slow-draining fixture or facing an urgent backup? Begin with confidence by getting an estimate from TennCo Plumbing. Our team is ready to provide you with a detailed and transparent quotation, helping you make informed decisions about your plumbing needs.
A fixture clog only affects one isolated area, like a single toilet, kitchen sink, or shower. If you run the bathroom sink and only that sink backs up, it is a fixture clog. A main sewer line backup affects multiple fixtures simultaneously. If you flush a toilet and sewage backs up into your shower, or if multiple drains across the house are bubbling and backing up at the same time, the issue is in your main sewer line.
Drain problems usually develop gradually over time rather than overnight. The most frequent culprits include:
No, absolutely not. Despite what the packaging claims, “flushable” wipes do not break down in water the way standard toilet paper does. They remain completely intact as they travel through your plumbing. Once inside your pipes, they easily catch on minor imperfections, tree roots, or rough spots, acting like a net that traps other debris and quickly causes a massive, expensive main line blockage.
Our technicians use professional-grade mechanical drain snakes (also known as plumbing augers). These machines use a flexible, motorized steel cable with specialized cutting blades attached to the end. We select the exact cable size and blade style needed for your specific pipe diameter, feeding it through the line to physically break apart grease, slice through tree roots, and retrieve or shred solid obstructions to restore full flow.
We strongly advise against using liquid chemical drain cleaners. These products rely on harsh, caustic acids that generate intense heat. If the chemical gets trapped behind a stubborn clog, that heat and acid can actually cook, soften, and deform PVC plastic pipes, or accelerate the corrosion of older cast iron plumbing. Furthermore, they rarely clear the entire blockage, meaning the clog will likely return quickly.
For standard, straightforward sink or toilet clogs, a camera usually isn’t necessary. However, if we encounter a stubborn blockage in your main sewer line that won’t easily clear, or if your main line backs up repeatedly, we will use a specialized waterproof sewer camera. This allows us to look inside the pipe in real-time to locate the exact position and cause of the trouble, whether it is heavy root growth, a collapsed section of pipe, or a shifted joint.
The best prevention is keeping grease out of your plumbing. Never pour cooking oils, bacon grease, or fatty residues down the sink or garbage disposal. Instead, let grease cool and solidify in a disposable container, then throw it in the trash. Additionally, use a simple mesh drain strainer to catch food scraps, and flush the drain with hot water for 30 seconds after doing the dishes to keep internal pipe walls clean.
If you experience an urgent backup, the very first thing you should do is stop running water immediately. Do not flush toilets, run the dishwasher, or use the washing machine, as any water you send down the drain will have nowhere to go but up into your home. Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve if necessary, and call a professional plumbing team right away to clear the line before water damage occurs.
