Best Drain Cleaning Companies in Tennessee Ranked

A slow drain or a complete backup is more than an inconvenience; it's a sign your home's essential plumbing system needs attention. Professional drain cleaning services in Tennessee address the root causes of clogs and blockages, from simple hair accumulations to serious tree root invasions in sewer lines. This guide explains the common issues faced by Tennessee homeowners, the professional solutions available, and how to find qualified local specialists to restore proper flow and prevent future problems.

Mac Plumbing Heating & Air

2968 B, E Old Ashland City Rd, Clarksville, TN 37043

Mac Plumbing Heating & Air has been serving Clarksville and Montgomery County, including Nashville, TN, since 1991. They provide residential plumbing and heating and cooling services, specializing in water heater repair and installation as well as drain cleaning. With over 30 years of experience, they handle repair, replacement, and installation projects throughout the area.

5.0

1.5k Reviews

Smith's Plumbing, Heating & Air

10545 US-64, Arlington, TN 38002

Smith's Plumbing, Heating & Air is a family-owned plumbing company serving Memphis, TN, and the surrounding area. Founded in 2010, they offer a wide range of plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, tankless water heater services, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, leak detection, and repiping. The company is known for its upfront pricing and 24/7 emergency availability, ensuring customers have access to help whenever needed. They also specialize in trenchless sewer repair, providing less invasive solutions for sewer line issues. With over 14 years of combined industry experience, Smith's Plumbing, Heating & Air brings professional expertise and community-focused service to their customers.

5.0

1.1k Reviews

1-Tom-Plumber

310 Quecreek Cir, Smyrna, TN 37167

1-Tom-Plumber is a plumbing service provider based in Nashville, TN, offering a range of plumbing and drain cleaning solutions. They serve the Nashville area including Smyrna, Lebanon, Rural Hill, Brentwood, and Nolensville. Their services include leak detection, drain cleaning with advanced technology, water damage restoration, and excavation work. The company handles repairs and works directly with insurance companies when claims are involved. 1-Tom-Plumber emphasizes transparent pricing and is available for emergency plumbing needs.

5.0

727 Reviews

Crowe Services/Heating & Air

6391 Ferrell Dr, Memphis, TN 38134

Crowe Services/Heating & Air in Memphis, TN provides comprehensive HVAC and plumbing services for residential and commercial customers. Their offerings include air conditioning and furnace repair, maintenance, and installation, as well as plumbing services such as leak detection, toilet repair, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, and sewer camera inspections. The company is equipped to handle complex plumbing issues with capabilities like high-pressure hydro jetting and sewer line camera inspections. Crowe Services/Heating & Air has a strong reputation supported by licensed technicians and extensive experience, serving the Memphis area with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Emergency service availability is also offered to address urgent needs.

5.0

484 Reviews

Eason Plumbing & Drain Cleaning

nashville

Eason Plumbing & Drain Cleaning provides plumbing and drain cleaning services in Nashville, TN, and throughout Middle Tennessee. They specialize in drain cleaning, leak detection, and toilet repair, offering professional solutions for common household plumbing issues. The company is recognized for its licensed plumbers who handle problems thoroughly and promptly. Eason Plumbing & Drain Cleaning serves a wide area including Rutherford, Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Williamson, and Wilson counties. They offer 24/7 availability to address urgent plumbing needs.

5.0

344 Reviews

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Common Drain and Sewer Problems in Tennessee

Tennessee's unique environment and aging infrastructure in many communities contribute to specific plumbing challenges. Understanding these common issues is the first step toward an effective solution.

• Tree Root Intrusion: This is a prevalent issue, especially in neighborhoods with mature trees and older sewer systems made of clay or cast iron. Roots seek out moisture and can infiltrate tiny cracks or pipe joints, eventually growing inside and creating a dense, fibrous blockage that traps other debris^{1 2}.
• Grease, Fat, and Soap Scum Buildup: In kitchen drains, cooking oils and fats solidify inside pipes. In bathrooms, soap combines with minerals in water to form a hard, cement-like scum. Over time, this buildup significantly narrows pipe diameter, leading to slow drainage and frequent clogs^{1 3 4}.
• Hair and Personal Product Clogs: Showers, bathtubs, and bathroom sinks are constantly battling hair, which tangles and binds with soap residue. Flushed personal hygiene products, even those labeled "flushable," are a leading cause of blockages^{5 6}.
• Mineral Deposits from Hard Water: Many areas across Tennessee, including Knoxville and Nashville, have moderately hard to hard water^{1 7}. This means water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can precipitate out and form limescale deposits on the interior of pipes, gradually reducing water pressure and flow^{2 4}.
• Aging and Failing Infrastructure: Older homes may still have original sewer lines made of clay tile, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipe. These materials are susceptible to corrosion, cracking, collapsing, or having their joints invaded by roots. A partial or complete pipe failure requires more than just cleaning^{1 5 6}.
• Foreign Objects: Accidental flushes of non-dissolvable items like wipes, dental floss, toys, or excessive toilet paper are a common culprit for sudden, severe blockages⁵.

Professional Drain Cleaning Methods

When a plunger or store-bought chemical drain cleaner fails, it's time to call a professional. Tennessee plumbing experts use specialized tools designed to clear blockages effectively without damaging your pipes.

• Drain Snaking/Augering: This is the most common method for clearing accessible clogs in sinks, tubs, and toilet lines. A technician feeds a long, flexible metal cable (a snake or auger) with a cutting head into the drain. The rotating cable breaks apart or retrieves the clogging material, such as hair or food waste. It's a cost-effective solution for localized problems^{1 8 6}.
• Hydro Jetting: For tougher, deeper problems like grease accumulation, stubborn soap scum, or root masses, hydro jetting is the superior solution. This technique uses a specialized hose with a multi-directional nozzle that blasts water at extremely high pressure (often 1,500 to 4,000 PSI) to scour the entire interior surface of the pipe. It doesn't just punch a hole through the clog; it cleans the pipe walls completely, restoring near-original flow capacity. It's highly effective for main sewer line cleaning^{1 3 9}.
• Video Camera Inspection: Before and after cleaning, a video inspection is an invaluable diagnostic tool. A waterproof camera is snaked through the pipe, providing a real-time video feed to the technician. This allows them to pinpoint the exact location and nature of the clog, identify cracks, offsets, or root intrusions, and verify the pipe is clean after service. It turns guesswork into a precise assessment^{1 8 9}.
• Sewer Line Repair or Replacement: If a camera inspection reveals a broken, collapsed, or severely compromised pipe, cleaning alone is not a permanent fix. Modern "trenchless" methods like pipe lining (inserting a resin-saturated liner that cures in place) or pipe bursting (pulling a new pipe through while fracturing the old one) can often repair the line with minimal excavation to your property^{1 6}.

What to Expect: Drain Cleaning Costs in Tennessee

The cost for professional drain cleaning in Tennessee varies based on the location and severity of the clog, the method required, and whether it's a standard or emergency call.

• Standard Drain Snaking: For a single, accessible clog in a sink, shower, or toilet line, you can expect to pay between $100 and $250^{8 10}.
• Main Sewer Line or Drain Line Cleaning: Clearing a clog in the main line exiting your home typically requires more powerful equipment. Using a large-capacity auger/snake for this job generally ranges from $200 to $500 or more, depending on access and difficulty^{5 11 12}.
• Hydro Jetting Service: Due to the advanced equipment and significant results, hydro jetting is a higher-investment service. Costs typically range from $300 to $600+, and can reach up to $1,400 for severe, deep-rooted blockages or very long pipe runs^{3 10 12}.
• Video Camera Inspection: A standalone inspection to diagnose a problem typically costs between $150 and $350. Many companies bundle this service with a cleaning, applying a portion of the inspection fee toward the cleaning cost if you proceed^{8 13}.
• Emergency/After-Hours Service: For urgent problems that occur on weekends, holidays, or outside standard business hours, most companies charge a premium emergency service fee, which is added to the standard service rate^{10 11}.

Maintaining Your Drains and Preventing Future Clogs

Professional cleaning solves the immediate problem, but proactive maintenance can prevent the next one and extend the life of your plumbing.

• Use Drain Strainers: Simple mesh strainers in sinks and tubs catch hair, food scraps, and other debris before they enter the drain.
• Dispose of Grease Properly: Never pour cooking oil, fat, or grease down the kitchen drain. Let it cool and solidify, then scrape it into the trash.
• Be Mindful of What You Flush: Only human waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet. Even "flushable" wipes, feminine hygiene products, and paper towels do not break down like toilet paper and are a major cause of sewer blockages.
• Schedule Periodic Maintenance: For older homes or properties with large trees, consider an annual or bi-annual professional drain and sewer line inspection and cleaning. This proactive approach can identify small issues before they become catastrophic, expensive backups^{9 7}.
• Address Slow Drains Immediately: A slow-draining sink or tub is often the first warning sign. Don't ignore it. Addressing a minor clog early can often be resolved with a simple snaking, preventing it from progressing into a full main line blockage.

Choosing a Service Provider in Tennessee

When you need drain cleaning, selecting a qualified professional is crucial. Look for a licensed and insured plumbing company with specific experience in drain and sewer services. Ask about their methods-do they offer hydro jetting and camera inspections? Read reviews from local customers and inquire about upfront, flat-rate pricing versus hourly rates. A reputable technician will be able to explain the problem clearly, recommend the most effective solution for your situation, and provide a detailed estimate before starting work.

Frequently asked questions

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