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Plumbing Inspections in Urbandale, IA

Pre-purchase sewer camera inspections and whole-house plumbing checks for Urbandale buyers, owners and landlords, with recorded footage and a written summary you keep.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

OVERVIEW

Plumbing Inspections in Urbandale

A plumbing inspection is a documented check of a property’s drain and water systems: a camera run through the building sewer, plus a look at fixtures, drains, supply lines, the water heater and visible venting. We at Clog Busters inspect homes, rentals and commercial buildings across Urbandale from our Des Moines branch, open 24 hours, and you keep the recorded footage and a written summary.

Urbandale buyers now have one more question to ask. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources lead service line fact sheet (January 2026), House File 876 took effect January 1, 2026 and requires sellers to disclose a lead water service line, counting a galvanized line downstream of lead or unknown pipe as lead. The DNR expects homes built after 1988 to have non-lead service lines.

Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates for 2020 to 2024 place about 8,700 of the city’s 18,490 housing units, close to half, in buildings from before 1990. Where the water service enters the basement, we record what the visible pipe looks like, so you know what to ask the seller and the water utility.

Our plumbing inspection service page explains each check. For a camera run alone, see drain camera inspections in Urbandale, and for repairs to the line under the yard, see sewer services in Urbandale. Everything else we do in the city is on our Urbandale plumbing page.

Inspections note conditions against the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, adopted by Iowa effective March 26, 2025. Our inspection does not replace a licensed home inspector or a City of Urbandale inspection.

Sewer camera inspection equipment in a basement

WHEN TO INSPECT

When an Urbandale Property Should Be Inspected

The best time to look is before you sign, before you build, or before the third backup.

Before You Close on a House

A general home inspection rarely sends a camera through the building sewer. Booking ours inside the inspection window puts footage in hand while terms can still change.

When the Disclosure Says Unknown

If the seller disclosure is blank or unsure about the water service line, a look at the pipe entering the basement tells you what to ask the water utility before closing.

After the Same Drain Backs Up Again

A second or third clog on one line means something in the pipe is catching waste. An inspection finds that cause instead of clearing the symptom one more time.

Before a Basement Finish or Remodel

Once drywall and flooring go in, the drain under the slab and the lines in the walls are out of reach. Check them while they are still exposed.

Ahead of a Rental Certificate Visit

Urbandale inspects rental units that are not owner-occupied at least once every two years. Catching a leaking trap or a tired water heater first can save a correction notice.

When Taking Over a Commercial Space

A new tenant or buyer inherits the drains, the water heater and any backflow assembly. A baseline inspection records their condition on day one.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

INSPECTION SERVICES

Plumbing Inspections We Offer in Urbandale

Each one ends with recorded footage or notes and a written summary.

  1. 01

    Pre-Purchase Sewer Camera Inspection

    A recorded camera run from the cleanout to the public sewer, showing pipe material, joints, roots, sags and breaks, scheduled around your purchase contract.

  2. 02

    Whole-House Plumbing Check

    Every fixture run and drained, visible supply and drain lines checked for leaks and corrosion, shutoff valves found and tried, and venting reviewed where it can be seen.

  3. 03

    Water Heater Review

    Age from the data plate, rust or seepage at the base, the temperature and pressure relief valve and its discharge pipe, and the flue on gas units.

  4. 04

    Water Service Line Observation

    We record the material of the visible service pipe where it enters the building and at the meter, a starting point for the lead question on older Urbandale homes.

  5. 05

    Repeat Backup Diagnosis

    For a drain that keeps clogging, a camera run that finds the belly, offset joint, root entry or grease buildup behind the trouble.

  6. 06

    Rental and Commercial Baselines

    Unit by unit notes for landlords and building owners, including whether irrigation or fire lines carry a backflow assembly due for its yearly test.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

WHY CLOG BUSTERS

Why Urbandale Buyers and Owners Choose Us for Inspections

  • The Recording Belongs to You Share the footage with a seller, a lender, a contractor or another plumber. You never need us in the room to explain it later.
  • A Clean Report Is a Real Result Plenty of lines and fixtures pass. When yours do, the summary says so and nothing else is offered.
  • Defects Marked Above Ground When the camera finds a defect, we locate it from the surface and note its depth, so any repair estimate starts from the right spot.
  • Findings Before Any Repair Talk You get the results in writing first. Repair options, trenchless where the pipe allows, come only if you ask for them.
  • Open 24 Hours From Des Moines Our Des Moines branch on Vandalia Road covers Urbandale around the clock, which helps when a closing date is near.
  • Notes That Fit Urbandale Rental Rules A city housing certificate transfers to the next owner, so a landlord buying an Urbandale rental gets notes to work from before the next city visit.
(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

How a Plumbing Inspection Works in Urbandale

Look at every system, record what we find, then put it in writing.

  1. Set the Scope

    We confirm whether you need the sewer camera, the whole-house check or both, and note any contract deadline we have to meet.

  2. Run and Drain Every Fixture

    Sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and floor drains are run and watched for slow drainage, leaks below traps, and gurgling that points to a venting problem.

  3. Camera the Building Sewer

    The run from the cleanout to the public sewer is recorded, and each defect is located and marked at the surface.

  4. Check Water Heater, Supply and Service Line

    We look over the water heater and relief valve, visible supply lines and shutoffs, and the service pipe where it enters the building.

  5. Deliver Footage and Summary

    You receive the recording and a written summary sorted into sound, worth watching and needs repair, with no obligation to hire us for any of it.

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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

Plumbing Inspection FAQs for Urbandale

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

Usually not. A general home inspection is a visual review, and most do not send a camera through the building sewer to the public main. A sewer camera inspection is booked separately, ideally inside the purchase contract's inspection period. It adds to the home inspector's report rather than replacing it.

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Clog Busters cameras the sewer, checks the fixtures, water heater and service line, and hands you the footage and a written summary, so you can buy, rent or remodel in Urbandale knowing what is in the pipes.

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