OUR SERVICES

Drain Repair in Urbandale, IA

Repair and replacement for the drain piping inside and under Urbandale homes: building drains, basement floor drains, cast iron stacks, and joints beneath the slab. Open 24 hours.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

OVERVIEW

Drain Repair in Urbandale

Drain repair means fixing or replacing the pipe that carries waste inside and beneath a building, from fixture branches and vertical stacks down to the building drain under the basement floor. We at Clog Busters handle drain repair across Urbandale from our Des Moines branch, open 24 hours, and we put a camera in the pipe before we quote.

Urbandale requires a permit from the Department of Community Development before anyone begins the construction, alteration or repair of a building drainage system, according to Chapter 155 of the Urbandale Municipal Code. Maintenance such as stopping a leak or fixing a faucet is exempt. Cutting out and replacing a cracked length of drain is repair work, so we settle the permit question before anything is opened.

Urbandale housing splits by era. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates for 2020 to 2024 count about 5,800 homes built from 1950 through 1979, concentrated on the older east side, while the northwest side is mostly built since 2000. Those eras used different drain materials, and they fail differently.

If the trouble is in the pipe running from the house to the public sewer, see sewer services in Urbandale. If a line is only blocked, start with drain cleaning in Urbandale. Our Urbandale plumbing page covers the rest.

Drain repairs in Urbandale fall under the City of Urbandale Plumbing Code, which adopts the State of Iowa Plumbing Code: the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, in force statewide since March 26, 2025.

Clog Busters plumber repairing bathtub faucet

SIGNS OF A FAILING DRAIN

Signs an Urbandale Drain Line Needs Repair

These point to damaged pipe inside or under the house, not a simple clog.

Rust Streaks on a Cast Iron Stack

A brown streak or damp spot on a basement stack usually marks a crack or a hub joint that has started to weep. In an east side home from the 1950s through the 1970s, that stack is often original iron.

Water Rising Around a Floor Drain

Water seeping up around a basement floor drain can mean a broken joint under the slab, where the building drain meets the drain body.

Stains on Finished Basement Walls

A drain leaking inside a finished wall stays hidden until the drywall stains or the baseboard swells.

Sewer Odor Without a Backup

A steady smell near a stack, a cleanout plug, or a floor drain points to a cracked fitting or a failed joint letting sewer gas into the house.

One Branch That Stays Slow

When one bathroom or the kitchen still drains slowly after cleaning, a sag or a rust-narrowed section in that branch is the usual cause, not the main drain.

Clogs Returning Within Months

A line that blocks again soon after it was cleared has something catching debris: a belly in the under slab drain, an offset joint, or galvanized pipe closed down by rust.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

DRAIN REPAIR SERVICES

Drain Repairs We Handle in Urbandale Homes

Repairs to the drain, waste and vent piping inside the building and under the basement floor.

  1. 01

    Cast Iron Stack and Branch Repair

    We cut out a cracked length of cast iron, support the stack above and below the cut, and join new pipe to the sound iron with shielded couplings.

  2. 02

    Galvanized Drain Replacement

    Galvanized steel drain and vent lines rust from the inside until the bore closes. We replace the failing runs with plastic pipe approved under the plumbing code.

  3. 03

    Under Slab Drain Repair

    We open the basement floor only over the located break, replace the damaged section, and bed it in sand, which the city's plumbing amendments allow inside the foundation line.

  4. 04

    Belly and Joint Correction

    A sag that holds water under the floor, or an offset hub joint, gets re-laid to proper slope instead of being cleaned over and over.

  5. 05

    Floor Drain Replacement

    Cracked basement floor drain bodies and failed traps are replaced and reconnected to the building drain below the slab.

  6. 06

    Drain Line Leak Repair

    Weeping joints, split fittings and pinholes on exposed drain pipe, repaired before water reaches subfloor or drywall.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

WHY CLOG BUSTERS

Why Urbandale Homeowners Call Us for Drain Repair

  • A Camera Before the Quote We camera the drain before pricing a repair, so the quote names the failure and where it sits.
  • We Cut Out Only What Failed If one length of an iron stack is cracked and the rest is solid, the quote covers that length.
  • Video Before and After You see the fault on screen first, then a second camera pass of the finished repair before the floor or wall is closed.
  • Permit Question Settled Up Front Urbandale doubles the plumbing permit fee when work starts before the permit. We settle whether your repair needs one at the quote.
  • Open 24 Hours, Every Day Our Des Moines branch covers Urbandale around the clock, so a leaking drain does not have to wait for Monday.
  • A Straight Read on Old Iron A 1960s stack with solid walls on camera can keep working. We tell you so and quote only the parts that show damage.
(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

How We Repair a Drain Line in Urbandale

Find the failure, confirm the permit, replace the section, prove the result.

  1. Camera the Line

    We run a camera through the drain from a cleanout and record the pipe material, the joints, and the distance to each defect.

  2. Locate and Mark

    A transmitter in the camera head lets us mark the defect on the floor or wall, so we open only the spot over the damage.

  3. Confirm the Permit

    Urbandale's plumbing code limits work to what the permit lists, so the permit names the exact repair. If the opened pipe shows more damage, that work goes on a new permit.

  4. Cut Out and Replace

    We remove the failed section, connect new pipe at the correct slope, and bed any under slab pipe before backfill.

  5. Inspect, Test and Restore

    Permitted work stays open for city inspection before it is covered. We run water through the repair, camera it again, then patch the floor or wall.

Schedule Service

REVIEWS

Hear From Some Of Our Customers

Don't Just Take Our Word For It

See All Reviews
4.9 4.9-star Google rating

“Max did a great job with our plumbing issue. He came same day and was very helpful an communicated every step of the way. Cleaned everything up when he was done. Will definitely call them for future issues.”

Lisa Morales

“I had my furnace inspected for fall maintenance today, and the tech mentioned my drain was backing up - not exactly the news I wanted to hear! I called Clog Busters and they had someone out within the hour, which already impressed me. Max was the technician, and he was absolutely splendid. He took the time to explain everything thoroughly without being condescending about it, which I really appreciated. He was clean and respectful of my home and belongings the entire time he was here.”

Sheree Clark

“Jordan Rambo was amazing he spent the extra time cleaning up area and taught me what I should and shouldn’t do for drains he was professional, extremely knowledgeable and polite. I would recommend him any time !”

Thomas Downin

“I live in an area with a lot of tree roots and need to get my sewer drain augered regularly. when jordan came to issue me a quote he also gave me so much information other businesses hadn’t. after he was finished completing the service he cleaned up after himself and gave me a thorough synopsis.”

Doña Andrade

“Rambo, was outstanding! If I could give 10 stars I would! Did everything he could to help and explain everything where I could understand!”

Elly Hawk

“Nick did an amazing job at our house today 8-29-2026. He was very informative, professional and answered all our questions. Couldn't ask for anything better.”

Bruce Cordes

“Rambo did a great job. Took care of us and gave tips on how to unclog myself next time. Fast service.”

Amy Debassige

“Caleb and Noah were a lifesaver. Needed the kitchen drain cleaned after guests ran potato peels down the disposal on Christmas Day. They take emergency calls and made sure I didn't have to wash Christmas dishes in the bathtub.”

Paul Vincent

“Max showed up and cleared a clog from our kitchen sink drain. He was professional, prompt and honest with pricing. He found a larger issue that he provided quotes for, and was able to complete that work the same day. Thank you Max”

Michael Podzimek

“Efficient, professional and knowledgeable service. Jordan and Evan did a fantastic job for us. Highly recommend!”

Nick DeRocher

FAQ

Drain Repair FAQs for Urbandale

Still stuck? Call the Des Moines shop at (515) 259-1991.

Usually, yes, when pipe is being replaced. Chapter 155 of the Urbandale Municipal Code requires a permit from the Department of Community Development for the construction, alteration or repair of any building drainage system. Maintenance such as fixing a leak or a faucet is exempt. Replacing a cracked stack section or a broken under slab drain counts as repair.

Local coverage

Find Drain Repair Service in Your City

Our service area

Related services

Drain Cleaning Clear clogged sinks, tubs, showers, and main lines fast. Learn more Hydro Jetting High-pressure water blasts away grease, roots, and buildup. Learn more Drain Camera Inspections Pinpoint clogs and damage with high-resolution in-pipe cameras. Learn more Drain Auger Snake out stubborn clogs in sinks, toilets, and main lines. Learn more

Keep reading

Related guides

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Get Your Urbandale Drain Repaired

Clog Busters finds the failed section of your drain on camera, repairs that section under the right permit, and shows you the finished work on video. Open 24 hours from our Des Moines branch.

(515) 259-1991 Schedule Service
4.9★
Google rating
24/7
Emergency calls
Same day
Service available
Clog Busters drain cleaning van
Call Now (515) 259-1991