John Kukowski (Thunder Drains)

John Kukowski is the owner of Thunder Drains, a residential and commercial drain cleaning company.

Growing up, Kukowski spent a lot of time in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a place where the winters are equally as harsh as Minnesota’s. 

“Cold. Isolating,” Kukowski says of North Dakota, which is all too apropos because while typing this article the temperature is sub-zero, and if that’s not dreadful enough, ruthless gusts of wind are imposing their will on paltry tree branches just outside my rear window.

In seeking to escape the abyss that is Grand Forks, Kukowski and his family migrated horizontally, to Waukesha, Wisconsin.  

“That’s where I saw pavement and a TV for the first time,” Kukowski jokes. 

“With that move, I went from a class of 30 kids to about 300.” 

Having unintentionally glossed over the great state of Minnesota, for his senior year of high school, Kukowski moved to Big Lake, an unremarkable town that has a modest lake situated next to Highway 10.  

In the years since graduating high school, Kukowski has worked extensively in the trades. 

There was that stint installing shingles for a roofing contractor. 

He also had returned to North Dakota and was an assistant driller on an oil rig for seven years. 

Kukowski even spent a number of years doing plumbing. 

“I didn’t like plumbing because a lot of people had unrealistic expectations,” he says before unearthing another quip, and I’m quickly learning that Kukowski is witty, and entertainingly quotable. 

“Architects and builders seem to think they can put a sink wherever they want.”  

Since plumbing wasn’t a viable long-term career option for Kukowski, he transitioned into drain cleaning, which is like the third cousin of plumbing, in that the two know of each other, but they’re not particularly cordial. 

For nearly five years, Kukowski practically ran the drain cleaning company that employed him, to the point that he sensed he could ditch the comforts of his weekly paycheck and thrive.

“I started networking and made so many connections with people that I decided to start my own drain cleaning company,” says Kukowski, and consequently, Thunder Drains was founded. 

If you’re wondering what Kukowski and Thunder Drains do, it’s simple:

They clean out drains and pipes for residential and commercial clients, and yes, there is a lot of demand for what Thunder Drains does. 

“90% of plumbing companies who offer drain cleaning services do not see the volume that I do,” shares Kukowski, and that’s because while plumbing companies offer a litany of services, drain cleaning companies offer just one, making people like Kukowski legitimate experts in their industry. 

Beyond cleaning blocked drains, Kukowski also does line inspections, a skill that is particularly valuable for prospective homeowners who want to buy a property, but don’t want to have to call a plumber immediately after their realtor hands them their new set of keys.  

“Line inspections are crucial because not only can we diagnose any issues that may exist, but we can also service those problems,” says Kukowski, who uses video technology to show clients what was in their drains and how it is being removed. 

“So much of our work is preventative and is intended to combat buildup in drains before it even occurs.” 

Meaning, you don’t call Kukowski out solely to fix a problem. 

You also hire a drain cleaning expert like him so that the issue doesn’t happen again.

“When I’m at a property, I’m coming up with a solution so that the buildup in the drain never recurs,” Kukowski emphasizes. 

“Nobody wants to spend money on plumbing, ever, but plumbing is essential and having it is what separates us from third-world countries.” 

Of note:

Thunder Drains does not offer the lowest prices when it comes to drain cleaning.

Instead, their brand is founded upon educating and servicing the customer correctly the first time, the idea being that one visit from Thunder Drains will permanently eradicate any pesky clogs. 

“I don’t compete on price. I compete on service,” Kukowski confidently states.  

“When I leave a client’s home, I want them to be more educated about their drainage system than they ever imagined. That isn’t to say that I’m going to inundate them with information that goes over their head, but in the most practical way, I want them to know exactly what’s going on when I am working on their drains, and how I am solving their problem.”

Adds Kukowski, sincerity and authenticity at the forefront of his entrepreneurial endeavor:

“I only want to show up at your house one time, and then the next time I see you will either be at the grocery store, or at some fun type of event. If a drain cleaning company is at your house multiple times throughout the course of several years, then there is an underlying problem that is not being properly addressed.”

In 2025 and beyond, Kukowski is seeking to expand his operations across the state of Minnesota, the aim being to employ teams from Big Lake to Brainerd that can service a 100-mile radius. 

“I would like to get to the point where I have ten employees scattered throughout the state,” Kukowski confirms.  

“The goal is to have ten highly competent techs who believe in treating the customer with as much care and respect as I do. I like the momentum that’s been generated to this point, and I’m excited for the future.” QS

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As a family-owned business with 53 years of experience in the Twin Cities market, Grussing Roofing specializes in residential roofing, insurance restoration, siding, windows, and gutters.

For homeowners and commercial building owners who are looking to connect with a company that prides themselves on putting customers first, look no further than Eden Prairie-based Grussing Roofing.