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Drain Auger Services in Des Moines, IA

Cable machine work for Des Moines drains, from a hand auger on a lavatory to a sectional machine cutting roots out of a clay lateral. Camera verified.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

OVERVIEW

Drain Auger Service in Des Moines

An auger, a snake, and a cable machine are the same idea at different scales: a flexible steel cable turned under power with a cutting head on the end. It is the right tool for solid obstructions and for roots, which is most of what blocks a drain in a city where the median home was built around 1961 and clay laterals are still common.

What an auger will not do is remove a coating. Grease, sludge, and mineral scale get bored through by a cable and close back over within months, which is why we camera every main line after augering it and recommend jetting when that is what the pipe actually needs. Our shop is on Vandalia Road, so Des Moines calls are a short run.

All work is performed in compliance with the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State of Iowa.

Clog Busters technician with drain cleaning van

WHEN A CABLE IS THE RIGHT TOOL

When Augering Is the Answer in Des Moines

A cable machine solves a specific class of problem. Here is where it is the correct call.

Roots in a Clay Lateral

A cutting head on a sectional machine shears roots back to the pipe wall. On the older streets in Des Moines this is the single most common auger job.

A Solid Object in the Line

Toys, tools, hygiene products, and the occasional set of keys. A cable retrieves or breaks up what a jetter would simply push further along.

A Toilet That Will Not Clear

A closet auger reaches through the trapway without scratching the porcelain, which a straightened coat hanger does not.

A Single Slow Branch Line

One fixture draining slowly with everything else fine is a branch line job, and a small drum machine handles it without opening the main.

A Main Line Stopped Completely

A full stoppage needs to be opened before anything else happens. The cable restores flow, then the camera tells you why it stopped.

A Line Too Fragile to Jet

If the camera shows a cracked or thinning cast iron stack, high pressure water is the wrong answer. A cable is gentler and we choose it deliberately.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

AUGER AND CABLE SERVICES

Des Moines Lines We Auger

From a hand auger at a bathroom sink to a sectional machine in a main line.

  1. 01

    Main Sewer Lateral Augering

    The line from house to city main, which the property owner maintains in Des Moines. Root cutting is the usual reason.

  2. 02

    Root Cutting in Clay Pipe

    Mature trees on established streets send roots to every weeping joint. A cutting head restores the bore for the season.

  3. 03

    Kitchen Branch Lines

    Where grease is light a cable works. Where it is heavy we will tell you a jetter is the honest recommendation instead.

  4. 04

    Toilet and Closet Augering

    A closet auger clears the trapway without marking the bowl, and we check the flange and seal afterward.

  5. 05

    Tub, Shower, and Lavatory Lines

    Small drum machines pull hair mats out of a trap arm rather than shoving them into the branch line.

  6. 06

    Floor and Utility Drains

    Basement floor drains, laundry standpipes, and garage drains, all common in Des Moines homes of this era.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

WHY CLOG BUSTERS

Why Des Moines Trusts Our Cable Work

  • We Own the Full Range Hand augers, drum machines, and sectional machines. Using an undersized cable in a main line is how pipes get damaged and blockages get missed.
  • Camera After Every Main Augering without looking is guesswork. The camera tells you whether the line is open or merely bored through.
  • We Say When Cabling Is Wrong If the pipe needs jetting or repair, we will tell you that instead of selling you the same cable job every six months.
  • Based on Vandalia Road Our shop is inside the city, on the east side, which keeps Des Moines response times short.
  • Licensed Iowa Plumbers Licensed through the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board and working to the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code.
  • Open 24 Hours A full main line stoppage does not wait for morning, and neither do we.
(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

How We Auger a Drain in Des Moines

The right machine, the right head, and a camera afterward.

  1. Size the Job

    Fixture, branch, or main. Each takes a different cable diameter and a different machine, and picking wrong either fails or damages the pipe.

  2. Choose the Head

    Retrieval heads for objects, cutting heads for roots, and grease heads where a cable is the only access. The blockage decides.

  3. Cable the Line

    We work the cable through the obstruction and back several times rather than punching one hole and calling it clear.

  4. Camera the Result

    A recorded pass shows whether the line is genuinely open or whether we have only opened a channel through something that will close again.

  5. Advise and Clean Up

    If the camera shows a coating or a structural fault, we say so and quote it separately. Then we flow test and clean the area.

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REVIEWS

Hear From Some Of Our Customers

Don't Just Take Our Word For It

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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 Auger FAQs for Des Moines

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

They are the same tool at different scales. A hand snake handles a sink trap, a drum machine handles branch lines, and a sectional machine drives heavy cable through a main. The name changes with the size, the principle does not.

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