Main Sewer Line Clog Cleared with New 3" Cleanout (Tampa, FL)
On February 4, 2026, we responded to a sewer backup in the Tampa, Florida area where the homeowner reported a bathtub drain overflowing, a toilet overflow when the tub was running, and gurgling sounds from nearby sinks. When multiple plumbing fixtures are affected at the same time, it typically points to a restriction in the main drain or sewer line rather than a simple fixture clog.
We began troubleshooting with a drain snake through an interior opening, but the cable repeatedly redirected up a vent pathway instead of traveling down the building drain. With portions of the plumbing concealed under insulation, confirming the exact routing was limited, so we shifted to a more reliable approach that would provide proper access for main line drain cleaning.
To protect the installation and ensure everything sealed correctly after service, we removed the toilet and replaced the wax ring and closet bolts before resetting it. After verifying that interior cabling wasn’t reliably reaching the blockage, we moved forward with installing an exterior access point—one of the best practices for repeatable, effective sewer line clearing.
We then cut in a new exterior 3-inch cleanout and used professional drain cabling equipment to clear the obstruction through the correct access point. This cleanout provides a dedicated spot for future maintenance, faster diagnostics, and more effective service if a main sewer line clog ever returns.
Snaking the Main Line Through the Cleanout
This photo shows the drain cable feeding directly through the PVC cleanout, which is the ideal access point for a stubborn main sewer line clog. By cabling from here, the snake stays in the correct path toward the obstruction instead of being redirected into a vent stack, improving the results of main drain cleaning.
Exterior Work Area & Cleanout Access Prep
Here we’re set up outside to create proper access to the building drain. When a tub overflow and toilet backup happen together, it’s often the fastest route to restore flow by staging equipment outside and installing a dedicated access point for sewer line service and long-term maintenance.
Drain Machine Running to Clear the Blockage
This image shows the drain machine in operation while we cable the line from the exterior access point. With the new 3-inch cleanout in place, the cable can travel the proper direction down the main drain to break through the stoppage, eliminating the cause of gurgling drains, bathtub backup, and toilet overflow.