PLUMBING INSPECTIONS

Plumbing Inspections in Johnston, IA

Sewer camera and whole-property plumbing inspections for Johnston buyers, landlords and owners, with recorded footage and a written summary of what we found.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

OVERVIEW

What a Johnston Plumbing Inspection Covers

A plumbing inspection is a documented check of a building’s water and waste system: a camera run through the main sewer line plus a fixture by fixture look at drains, supply lines, shutoffs, the water heater and its visible venting. We at Clog Busters inspect homes, rentals and commercial buildings across Johnston from our Des Moines branch at 3950 Vandalia Rd, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Everything else we do in town is on our Johnston service page.

Johnston has a lot of rented housing to keep in order. U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2020 to 2024 count about 2,700 of the city’s roughly 9,300 occupied homes as renter occupied. Under the city’s Rental Housing Program, every rental is registered and inspected every two years, and the checklist asks whether each unit’s fixtures work, whether supply and drain lines are free of leaks, whether there is hot water and whether the water heater is vented properly.

Those are the same items our whole-property check covers, so landlords often book one before the city’s visit. Our inspection does not replace the city’s rental inspection or a licensed home inspector. The full method is on our plumbing inspection service page, and water heater work found along the way is handled through water heater repair and replacement in Johnston.

Our inspection notes are written against the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, in effect statewide in Iowa since March 26, 2025.

Clog Busters technician reviewing estimate with homeowner

WHEN TO BOOK

When a Johnston Property Is Due for an Inspection

The best time to inspect is right before a decision that is hard to undo.

Before Closing on a House

A general home inspection rarely runs a camera through the main sewer line. Seeing that pipe before closing lets you price a repair while you can still negotiate.

Before the City's Rental Inspection

Johnston inspects every registered rental every two years. A plumbing check a few weeks ahead finds the leaking trap or the dead water heater while there is time to fix it.

Between Tenants

An empty unit is the easiest time to run every fixture, look under every sink and camera the main line without working around anyone's schedule.

After the Same Drain Backs Up Again

A second backup on one line means something keeps catching waste. Footage shows what it is, instead of clearing it a third time.

Before You Finish a Basement

Drain and supply lines are easiest to see, test and correct before drywall, framing and flooring cover them.

A Property on a Private Septic System

A Johnston lot still on septic needs an Iowa time of transfer inspection by a DNR-certified inspector before sale. That is separate from our look at the plumbing inside the house.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

INSPECTION SERVICES

Plumbing Inspections We Offer in Johnston

For buyers, landlords, owners and businesses across Johnston.

  1. 01

    Pre-Purchase Sewer Camera

    A recorded run of the main line from an indoor or outdoor cleanout, noting pipe material, sags, offset joints, roots and anything lodged in the pipe.

  2. 02

    Whole-Property Plumbing Check

    Every fixture and the drain under it, visible supply lines and shutoffs, and the water heater with its visible venting, written up room by room.

  3. 03

    Rental Readiness Check

    Built around the plumbing and water heater questions on Johnston's rental checklist, so a landlord knows what to fix before the city inspector arrives.

  4. 04

    Repeat-Backup Diagnosis

    A camera look at a line that keeps clogging, aimed at the reason it fails rather than one more clearing.

  5. 05

    Pre-Remodel Survey

    Where the drains and supply lines run, what they are made of and what shape they are in, documented before walls or floors come open.

  6. 06

    Commercial and Multi-Unit Surveys

    Offices, restaurants and apartment buildings documented unit by unit, with kitchen lines noted. Our Des Moines branch also services restaurant grease traps.

(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

WHY CLOG BUSTERS

Why Johnston Buyers and Landlords Choose Us

  • Footage You Keep The recording is yours to show a seller, a property manager or another contractor, without needing us in the room.
  • A Clean Report Is a Real Result When the plumbing is in good shape, the summary says so. We are not hunting for work.
  • Camera Before Any Quote If a repair is needed, it is priced from what the footage shows, not from a guess about what is underground.
  • One Company From Finding to Fixing If the camera turns up a problem, we can clean, repair or replace the line ourselves, so you are not starting over with someone new.
  • Water Heaters Are Part of Our Work We service water heaters, so the tank, the relief valve and its discharge pipe, and the visible vent get a trained look rather than a glance.
  • Booked Around Closings and Move-Outs Our Des Moines branch is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which makes it easier to fit an inspection contingency window or a tenant turnover date.
(515) 259-1991 Book A Service

How We Inspect Plumbing in Johnston

Run it, look inside it, write it down, hand it over.

  1. Ask What the Inspection Is For

    A purchase, a rental certificate, a remodel and a repeat backup each change where we spend the most attention, so we start with the reason you called.

  2. Run Every Fixture

    Each sink, tub, shower, toilet and floor drain is run and watched for slow drainage, leaks at the trap and the supply connection, and working hot water.

  3. Camera the Main Line

    The camera enters at a cleanout and records the pipe toward the street, with the distance noted at each defect so it can be found again from the yard.

  4. Check the Water Heater and Supply

    We look at the tank, the temperature and pressure relief valve and its discharge pipe, the visible vent, the shutoff valves, the supply lines we can reach and the incoming water service pipe where it shows.

  5. Footage and Written Summary

    You receive the recording and a summary sorted into what is fine, what to watch and what needs work, 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

Questions Johnston Owners Ask About Plumbing Inspections

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

Usually not. A general home inspection is mostly visual and seldom sends a camera inside the main sewer line, the hardest part of the plumbing to see and one of the costliest to repair. A sewer camera inspection is a separate service booked alongside it. We at Clog Busters do not replace your home inspector; we add the view from inside the pipe.

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Schedule a Plumbing Inspection in Johnston

Clog Busters inspects Johnston homes, rentals and businesses from our Des Moines branch, with camera footage and a written summary you keep. Book before a closing, a tenant turnover or the city's rental inspection.

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