Looking for a plumber in West Des Moines? Basement homes and Iowa winters make frozen pipes, sump pump failures and water heater replacements the common calls. Call Same Day Plumber any time to reach an Iowa-licensed plumber.
Need a Plumber in West Des Moines Today?
Say whether the basement is finished and whether the sump pump is running. Same Day Plumber is a referral line, so an independent West Des Moines plumbing company takes the call, quotes the job and bills you directly. They confirm the arrival time first.
Emergency Plumbing Services in West Des Moines
When something goes wrong fast in a West Des Moines home, it's usually one of these. Here's what to do first.
- Pipe frozen or split: close the main shutoff and open a faucet. See frozen pipes.
- Water rising in the sump pit: check the outlet and breaker, then call.
- Water heater leaking: turn off the gas and the cold inlet. See water heater leaking.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to West Des Moines the same day, including nights and weekends. If you smell gas, leave the building first and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
24/7 Plumbing Services in West Des Moines
- Emergency PlumbingBurst pipes, flooding, sewage backups and loss of water, any hour.
- Drain CleaningClogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main sewer lines.
- Water Heater Repair & ReplacementNo hot water, leaking tanks, tank and tankless repair or replacement.
- Leak Detection & RepairHidden, slab and pipe leaks found and fixed before they cause damage.
- Sewer Line RepairCamera inspection, sewer repair and trenchless replacement.
- Pipe Repair & RepipingBurst, frozen and corroded pipes repaired or replaced.
- Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking and broken toilets repaired or replaced.
- Faucet & Fixture RepairFaucets, garbage disposals and shower valves.
- Sump Pump RepairSump pump repair, replacement and battery backups.
- Gas Line RepairGas leak repair and appliance hookups by licensed plumbers.
- Water Softeners & FiltrationWater softeners, whole-house filtration and well pumps.
- Commercial Plumbing & BackflowCommercial plumbing service and backflow testing.
Common Plumbing Problems in West Des Moines Homes
West Des Moines Water Works is its own utility, separate from Des Moines. Its A.C. Ward plant treats water from shallow wells along the Raccoon River and from deep wells in the Jordan Aquifer, about 2,500 feet down. The utility also buys water from Des Moines Water Works.
The plant softens the water with lime. The utility says raw well water averages about 370 milligrams per liter of hardness and finished water about 150, which still rates as hard. The median West Des Moines home was built in 1994.
Do You Still Need a Softener?
The plant cuts hardness by about 60%, but about 150 milligrams per liter is left. That is roughly 8.8 grains per gallon. Plenty of homes here run a water softener to finish the job. If you have one, set it for the finished water, not for raw well water, or you will waste salt.
Before the First Hard Freeze
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets from the inside valve before the first hard freeze.
- Insulate pipes along outside basement walls and in crawl spaces.
- Close the inside valve to each outdoor faucet and leave the outside handle open.
- Find the main shutoff, usually where the water line enters the basement. See frozen pipes.
Sump Pump Failure
A pump that quits in a spring storm floods the basement.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in West Des Moines
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in West Des Moines.
- Finished basement. Reaching a pipe behind drywall adds to the job.
- Pump setup. A backup pump and a new discharge line are priced apart from the main pump.
- Finding the problem. Leak locating and camera inspections are separate steps, but they keep the repair itself small.
- Time of day. Many companies charge an after-hours, weekend or holiday fee.
- Ask for the arrival fee before the plumber heads out, and for the repair price in writing before work starts.
How to Find a Licensed Plumber in West Des Moines
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever West Des Moines plumber you end up hiring.
Check the Iowa License
Plumbers and plumbing contractors in Iowa are licensed by the state. Before any work starts at your West Des Moines home, ask for the license number and look it up with the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board.
Confirm Who Pulls the Permit
For work that needs a permit, the plumber should pull it.
What to Ask on the Phone
- What is the arrival window?
- Is there a service, trip or after-hours fee?
- For an emergency, will you stop the damage first and quote the permanent repair before starting it?
- What is your license number?
Plumbers in Cities Near West Des Moines
FAQs About Plumbers in West Des Moines
Is West Des Moines water softened?
Yes, partly. West Des Moines Water Works softens it with lime from about 370 to about 150 milligrams per liter, which is still classed as hard.
Where does West Des Moines get its water?
From shallow wells in the Raccoon River alluvial aquifer, deep wells in the Jordan Aquifer and water bought from Des Moines Water Works.
How quickly can I get a plumber in West Des Moines?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in West Des Moines you are. The plumber gives you an arrival window when you call. During a citywide event such as a hard freeze or major storm, waits are longer, so shut off the water and limit the damage while you wait.
Find a Same-Day Plumber in West Des Moines, IA
If you have frozen pipes, sump pump failure or another plumbing problem in West Des Moines, call now. You'll be connected to a licensed plumber who works in your area, and you'll know the arrival window and any fee before they head out.