Drain Cleaning Services in Tampa, FL
Slow drains, backed-up sinks, and clogged pipes are more than a nuisance — they can lead to serious water damage and health hazards. Strowbiz Plumbing uses professional-grade equipment including hydro jetting and video camera inspection to clear even the toughest blockages and restore proper drainage throughout your Tampa home.
What's Included
Why Choose Strowbiz
Professional-Grade Equipment
We use commercial drain snakes, high-pressure hydro jetting, and HD video camera inspection to accurately diagnose and resolve drain issues — not the consumer-grade tools other companies rely on.
We Fix the Root Cause
We don't just clear the clog and leave. We identify what caused the blockage so we can prevent it from happening again. If there's a deeper issue like root intrusion or pipe damage, we'll find it.
Same-Day Service
Clogged drains disrupt your entire household. We offer same-day drain cleaning service throughout the Tampa Bay area to get your plumbing back to normal quickly.
Transparent Diagnosis
Our camera inspection shows you exactly what's happening inside your pipes on a live monitor. No guesswork, no unnecessary upselling — just honest answers and fair pricing.
Our Process
Assessment
We identify which drains are affected, check for multiple blockage points, and determine the best clearing method.
Clearing
Using the appropriate tool — cable snake, hydro jetter, or auger — we clear the blockage and restore full drainage.
Camera Inspection
When needed, we run a camera through the line to verify the clog is fully cleared and check for underlying pipe issues.
Prevention Plan
We explain what caused the clog and recommend steps to prevent recurrence, including maintenance schedules if needed.
Common Causes of Drain Clogs in Tampa Homes
Tampa's unique climate, vegetation, and water conditions create specific drain challenges for homeowners. Understanding what causes clogs can help you prevent them — and know when to call a professional.
Kitchen drains: Grease, cooking oil, and food particles are the #1 cause of kitchen drain clogs in Tampa. Grease coats the inside of pipes and hardens over time, trapping food particles and creating stubborn blockages. Even small amounts of grease poured down the drain accumulate over months and years. Garbage disposals help break down food, but they don't eliminate grease buildup.
Bathroom drains: Hair is the primary culprit in bathroom sink and shower drains. Combined with soap scum and toothpaste, hair creates dense clogs that worsen over time. Bathroom sink drains also clog from cosmetic products, shaving cream residue, and dental floss.
Toilet clogs: Flushing anything other than toilet paper causes most toilet blockages. Baby wipes (even those labeled "flushable"), feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, and excessive toilet paper are common offenders. In older Tampa homes, narrower drain pipes make toilets more susceptible to clogging.
Main sewer line: Tampa's lush vegetation means tree roots are a constant threat to underground sewer lines. Roots seek moisture and can infiltrate even hairline cracks in sewer pipes. Over time, roots grow inside the pipe, catching debris and eventually causing complete blockages. Oak trees, ficus trees, and palm roots are particularly aggressive in the Tampa Bay area.
Mineral buildup: Tampa's hard water contains calcium and magnesium that deposit on pipe walls over time. This gradual buildup narrows the pipe diameter and makes clogs more likely, especially in older galvanized steel pipes.
Hydro Jetting: The Most Effective Drain Cleaning Method
Hydro jetting is the gold standard for professional drain cleaning, and it's one of the services Strowbiz Plumbing is best known for in the Tampa area. Unlike a cable snake that simply punches through a clog, hydro jetting thoroughly cleans the entire interior of the pipe.
How it works: A specialized nozzle is inserted into the drain line and propels water at up to 4,000 PSI in a 360-degree pattern. The high-pressure water stream scours the pipe walls, removing grease, scale, mineral deposits, tree roots, and accumulated debris. The result is a pipe that's cleaned back to near-original diameter.
When hydro jetting is recommended: We recommend hydro jetting for recurring clogs that keep coming back, grease-clogged kitchen lines, main sewer line blockages, tree root intrusion, and as preventive maintenance for older pipes. It's especially effective for restaurant and commercial kitchen drain lines that accumulate heavy grease buildup.
When hydro jetting isn't appropriate: Hydro jetting isn't suitable for all situations. Very old or damaged pipes may not be able to handle the water pressure. Before performing hydro jetting, we always run a camera inspection to assess the condition of the pipe and ensure it can safely handle the procedure. If the pipe is compromised, we'll recommend repair or replacement instead.
How long do results last? After hydro jetting, most residential drain lines stay clear for 1-3 years or longer, depending on usage patterns. For homes with recurring issues (like tree root intrusion), we recommend annual hydro jetting as preventive maintenance to avoid emergency situations.
Video Camera Pipe Inspection in Tampa
Video camera inspection is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools in modern plumbing. At Strowbiz Plumbing, we use HD sewer cameras to see exactly what's happening inside your pipes — eliminating guesswork and enabling targeted, cost-effective solutions.
How it works: A small, waterproof HD camera is attached to a flexible cable and inserted into the drain line. The camera transmits a live video feed to a monitor, allowing our technician to see the interior of the pipe in real-time. We can identify the exact location, type, and severity of any problem.
What camera inspection reveals: Tree root intrusion, pipe cracks and breaks, joint separations, bellied (sagging) pipe sections, grease and scale buildup, foreign objects causing blockages, pipe material and condition assessment, and the exact location of problems for targeted repair.
When we recommend camera inspection: We use camera inspection when the cause of a clog isn't immediately obvious, when clogs keep recurring in the same line, before purchasing a home (to assess sewer line condition), after clearing a main line blockage (to verify the line is sound), and as part of a comprehensive plumbing assessment for older Tampa homes.
Saving you money: Camera inspection prevents unnecessary digging and guesswork. Instead of excavating your entire yard to find a sewer line problem, we can pinpoint the exact location and extent of the issue — often saving Tampa homeowners thousands of dollars in unnecessary excavation and repair costs.
Preventing Drain Clogs: Tips for Tampa Homeowners
While professional drain cleaning is sometimes necessary, there are several steps Tampa homeowners can take to reduce the frequency of clogs and keep their drains flowing freely:
Kitchen: Never pour grease or cooking oil down the drain — collect it in a container and dispose of it in the trash. Use a drain strainer to catch food particles. Run cold water for 15-30 seconds after using the garbage disposal to flush debris through the line. Avoid putting fibrous foods (celery, onion skins, corn husks) or starchy foods (pasta, rice, potato peels) down the disposal.
Bathroom: Use drain covers or hair catchers in showers and tubs. Clean drain stoppers regularly — remove accumulated hair and soap buildup weekly. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. Run hot water through bathroom sinks for 30 seconds after each use to help prevent soap scum buildup.
Laundry: Use a lint trap on your washing machine discharge hose. Lint, fabric fibers, and small clothing items are common causes of laundry drain clogs, especially in older Tampa homes with smaller drain lines.
General maintenance: Once a month, pour a pot of boiling water down kitchen and bathroom sinks to help dissolve minor buildup. Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they can damage pipes (especially older ones) and often don't fully resolve the clog. If you have mature trees near your sewer line, consider annual preventive drain cleaning to address root intrusion before it becomes an emergency.
Know when to call a pro: If a plunger doesn't resolve a clog within a few minutes, or if multiple drains are slow or backing up simultaneously, call a professional plumber. Multiple slow drains usually indicate a main line issue that requires professional equipment to resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes drain clogs in Tampa homes?
The most common causes are grease and food buildup in kitchen drains, hair and soap scum in bathroom drains, tree root intrusion in main sewer lines (very common in Tampa due to the lush vegetation), foreign objects flushed down toilets, and mineral buildup from Tampa's hard water in older pipes.
What is hydro jetting and do I need it?
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water (up to 4,000 PSI) to thoroughly clean the inside of your pipes, removing grease, scale, roots, and debris. It's the most effective drain cleaning method available. We recommend it for recurring clogs, main line blockages, tree root problems, and heavy grease buildup. It's not always necessary for simple clogs — we'll recommend the most appropriate method for your situation.
How often should drains be professionally cleaned?
We recommend preventive drain cleaning every 1-2 years for most Tampa homes. Homes with mature trees near sewer lines, older pipes, or a history of frequent clogs may benefit from annual service. Restaurant and commercial kitchen drains typically need cleaning every 3-6 months.
Can you clear a main sewer line clog?
Yes. Main sewer line clearing is one of our core services. We use professional-grade cable machines and hydro jetting equipment to clear even the most stubborn main line blockages, including tree root intrusion. We always follow up with a camera inspection to verify the line is clear and assess the pipe's condition.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Tampa?
Drain cleaning costs depend on the type of drain, severity of the clog, method required, and whether camera inspection is needed. Simple drain clearing is our most affordable service. Hydro jetting and main line work cost more due to the specialized equipment involved. We provide upfront pricing before starting any work.
Should I use chemical drain cleaners?
We strongly advise against chemical drain cleaners. They can damage pipes (especially older galvanized or PVC pipes), they rarely resolve the full clog, they're harmful to the environment, and they can create dangerous chemical reactions. Professional mechanical drain cleaning is safer, more effective, and better for your plumbing system.
What does a camera inspection cost?
Camera inspection pricing varies, but it's a small investment that can save thousands by pinpointing problems accurately. We often include camera inspection as part of main line clearing services. Call for current pricing — we're always transparent about costs.
Do you offer emergency drain cleaning?
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency drain cleaning service throughout the Tampa Bay area. Backed-up sewer lines and flooding drains can cause serious water damage and health hazards — call us immediately and we'll dispatch a technician as quickly as possible.
Areas We Serve
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(813) 857-5327