Plumbing Repair in Ankeny, IA

By Jarod Smith, Owner, Clog Busters. 26 years in plumbing and drain cleaning. Updated October 2026.

Water spraying from a garage ceiling in January is the call no Ankeny homeowner wants to make. When it happens, you need plumbing repair in Ankeny from a team that answers around the clock and arrives with the parts to fix the split.

We at Clog Busters Drain Cleaning & Repair have served the Des Moines metro since 2020, and our Des Moines branch covers Ankeny, from Prairie Trail to the neighborhoods around the DMACC Ankeny campus. Schedule your repair online and we will find the leak, explain your options and fix it.

Repairs Ankeny Homeowners Call Us For

Cold weather drives a large share of our Ankeny calls, but leaks show up all year. Here is the repair work we handle across Ankeny.

• Burst and frozen pipe repair. We locate the split, cut out the damaged section and repair the line. Then we check the rest of that wall or ceiling run for a second crack.
• Pinhole leaks in copper. Corrosion can eat a tiny hole through copper pipe, often near the water heater. We lay out the repair choices, such as a sleeve or replacing a short section, before we start.
• Leak tracing. Some leaks hide in joist bays or behind finished walls. We move what needs moving and follow the water back to its source.
• Outdoor faucet repair. A hose left connected over winter can freeze the line inside the wall. We repair the damaged section and the faucet so it works in spring.
• Faucet, toilet and valve repair. Dripping faucets, running toilets and stuck shutoff valves get fixed with parts from our stocked trucks.
• Water heater leaks. For tank leaks and hot water problems, our water heater repair team in Ankeny takes the call.

How Ankeny Winters Freeze and Split Supply Lines

Frozen pipes in Ankeny come from long stretches of cold, not just a single bitter night. The National Weather Service’s Des Moines climate summary, recorded at the Des Moines airport a short drive south of Ankeny, lists a 1991 to 2020 winter average of 25.6 degrees. The same record shows a stretch of 47 straight days with highs at or below freezing in early 1978.

Here is the mechanism. Water expands as it freezes, and an ice plug forms where a pipe is coldest. Pressure then builds in the water trapped between the ice and a closed faucet. The pipe often splits in that trapped section, not at the ice itself, so the leak may appear a few feet away from the cold spot.

Ankeny homes have a few spots where this happens most:

• Supply lines in exterior walls, especially on the north side
• Pipes running through garage ceilings and walls
• Crawl spaces and rim joists with gaps in insulation
• Outdoor faucets with a hose still attached

The leak usually shows up when the pipe thaws, which is why a burst line can surprise you a day after the cold breaks. When we repair a frozen pipe, we shut off the water, open the damaged run and repair the split. We then check the rest of the cold run, because one crack often means a second weak spot nearby.

Recent Plumbing Repair Reviews From Our Customers

A pinhole leak that could not wait

Eden H. called us about a leak on the copper water line at her water heater. It needed attention right away, before a small drip turned into a bigger problem.

“Dylon came to fix a pinhole leak that I had from some corrosion in my copper Pipe coming out of my water heater. He explained a few different options we could do to fix it, including putting a ball valve on it or putting a sleeve on it. He was so polite and respectful during his visit. Clogg Busters really saved me, I found this leak and I really needed it fixed the day of so that I didn’t have to turn my water off and potentially risk extensive water damage nor disruption to my schedule.”

Laying out options before we touch the pipe is how we handle every pinhole repair. You choose the fix that fits your home, and we get your water back on.

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A hidden leak tracked down in the basement

Phillip Glenn knew water was getting out somewhere but could not see the source. Our technicians had to work through the basement to trace it.

“Had these guys come out to help find a leak. Dylan and James were very professional. They moved appliances, spent tons of time looking in the rafters in the basement. They acted like they were never in a hurry trying to rush the job, which I really appreciated. Very knowledgeable dudes. I highly recommend this company. And the service was very reasonably priced. I will definitely use this company again.”

Hidden leaks take patience, and we do not rush the search. Finding the true source the first time keeps you from paying for a second repair.

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What You Get When Clog Busters Handles the Repair

Our owner, Jarod Smith, holds Iowa Master Plumber license #4913, issued by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

• 24/7 emergency response. A burst pipe at 2 a.m. gets an answer, not a voicemail.
• Same day service. Many Ankeny repairs are scheduled and finished the day you call.
• Stocked trucks from a nearby branch. Our local trucks carry pipe, fittings and valves for common freeze and leak repairs.
• Choices explained first. You hear what failed and what each repair option involves before work starts.
• Licensed and insured. Our plumbing repair work in Iowa is licensed and insured.
• Award-Winning Customer Service. Courtesy, clear answers and a clean work area are part of every visit.
• An owner with decades in the trade. Jarod Smith, born and raised in Des Moines, has 26 years in plumbing and drain work.

Book Your Ankeny Plumbing Repair

Water coming through a ceiling cannot wait. Shut off the main valve, then book service online or use our emergency plumbing service in Ankeny after hours. For the full list of repairs our crews handle, see our plumbing repair services.

Ankeny Plumbing Repair FAQs

How cold does it have to get in Ankeny before pipes freeze?

There is no single number, because wind, insulation and where the pipe runs all matter. The risk climbs during long stretches below freezing, which the Des Moines area sees most winters. Pipes in garages, exterior walls and crawl spaces freeze first.

My pipe froze but has not burst. What should I do?

Open the faucet the pipe feeds so melting water has somewhere to go. Warm the area gently with a space heater or hair dryer, never an open flame. If water does not return within a few hours, or you see a leak as it thaws, book a repair.

Why did my pipe leak a day after the cold snap ended?

A frozen pipe can split while it is frozen, but the ice plugs the crack. Once the pipe thaws, water flows out through the split. That is why many Ankeny burst pipe calls come in as temperatures rise.

Can you repair a pinhole leak without replacing all my copper?

Usually, yes. A single pinhole can often be fixed with a repair sleeve or by replacing a short section. If we find several pinholes in the same run, we show you and explain the options so you can decide.

Do you serve all of Ankeny, including newer subdivisions?

Yes. Our Des Moines branch covers all of Ankeny, including newer areas like Prairie Trail. Newer homes still freeze when lines run through garage ceilings or cold exterior walls. Learn more on our Ankeny plumbing and drain page.

How do I schedule plumbing repair in Ankeny?

Book service online and describe the leak or problem. For a burst pipe, shut off the main water valve first, then book so we can get a technician on the way.