Plumbing Repair in Johnston, IA

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

Weak water pressure, a slow leak under the kitchen sink or a valve that will not close all start small. Plumbing repair in Johnston works best when the plumber checks what the pipes are made of before cutting into anything, and that is where we start.

Clog Busters Drain Cleaning & Repair has served the Des Moines metro since 2020. Our Des Moines branch covers Johnston, from homes near Terra Lake to neighborhoods close to Saylorville Lake and Camp Dodge. Set up your repair visit online and we will explain the problem and your options before work begins.

Plumbing Problems We Repair in Johnston

Most Johnston repair calls fall into one of these groups. Each one starts with finding the real cause.

• Leaks under sinks. Worn compression fittings, loose slip nuts and failing supply lines are common. We repair the lines and valves and leave the cabinet dry.
• Low water pressure. Pressure loss can come from a clogged aerator, a failing valve or corrosion inside older pipe. We test fixture by fixture to narrow it down.
• Main water line and meter area repairs. Leaks and stuck valves near the meter need extra care. We identify the pipe material first, as explained below.
• Corroded galvanized pipe. Older galvanized steel lines rust from the inside and restrict flow. We repair failing sections and tell you how much of the run is affected.
• Shutoff valve repair. A main or fixture shutoff that will not close fully gets repaired so you can control your water in an emergency.
• Faucet and toilet repair. Drips, running toilets and loose fixtures are fixed with parts from our stocked trucks.

Lead and Galvanized Service Lines: What Johnston Homeowners Should Know Before a Repair

The pipe between the water main and your meter is called the service line, and in some older homes it may be lead or galvanized steel. That matters before any repair near the meter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The rule also improves communication, so families learn whether lead pipes are present and how they will be replaced.

Here is why the material changes how we repair:

• Lead pipe is soft and can be damaged by careless cutting or clamping near the meter.
• Galvanized steel rusts from the inside. Scale narrows the pipe and causes low pressure, and disturbing it can loosen that scale.
• Copper and plastic lines are more forgiving and are repaired in the usual way.

Before we repair a leak or valve near your meter, we look at the line where it enters the house and confirm the material. If it may be lead or galvanized, we tell you what we see and recommend checking with your water utility on its service line inventory and replacement plans. Then we repair only what the job needs, without disturbing more of the old line than necessary.

Recent Customers on Our Repair Work

A kitchen sink leak, fixed carefully

Natalie L reached out when water started showing up in the cabinet below her kitchen sink. The fix meant working on the connections inside that cabinet.

“Luis is the plumber who helped resolve a leak under our kitchen sink. He was so kind and helpful and he did excellent work on the lines and valves. Would absolutely work with again!”

Under sink leaks often trace back to a worn valve or line, not just a loose nut. We repair the whole failing connection so the leak does not come back next week.

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A water pressure problem solved on the spot

Julia Platten needed help at her apartment, and the repair called for some on the spot problem solving from our crew.

“Noah and Lukus went above and beyond with their service!! They came for a water pressure issue in my apartment. They cut and sanded down the parts they had on hand to get the job done! Lukus was personable and Noah was very knowledgeable and very thorough in explaining the work they were doing. Very nice job guys! Keep up the good work!”

Pressure problems can take creative fixes, and we explain each step as we go. That way you know what caused the drop and what we did about it.

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Why Johnston Residents Choose Clog Busters

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

• Material checked first. We identify what your pipes are made of before cutting into an older water line.
• Options explained up front. You hear what failed and what each repair involves before we start.
• Same day service and 24/7 emergency help. Most leaks do not wait for business hours, and neither do we.
• Fully stocked local trucks. Common valves, fittings and repair parts ride on every truck.
• Licensed and insured. We are licensed and insured for plumbing in Iowa.
• Award-Winning Customer Service. Courtesy, clear answers and a clean work area are part of every visit.
• Local, owner led company. Jarod Smith, born and raised in Des Moines, brings 26 years in the plumbing and drain trade.

Schedule Your Johnston Plumbing Repair

Ready to fix that leak or pressure problem? Book service online and choose a time that works for you. If water is spraying or the main valve will not close, use our emergency plumbing service in Johnston. Buying an older home in Johnston? Our plumbing inspections in Johnston can look over the water line and fixtures first.

Johnston Plumbing Repair FAQs

How can I tell if my Johnston home has a lead or galvanized water line?

Look at the pipe where it enters the house near the meter. Lead is dull gray and soft, and galvanized steel is gray and threaded at the joints. Your water utility may also have your line listed in its service line inventory, and we can confirm the material during a repair visit.

Is it safe to repair a leak near the meter on an older service line?

Yes, when the plumber knows the material first. We confirm whether the line is lead, galvanized, copper or plastic, then use repair methods that disturb as little of the old pipe as possible.

Why is my water pressure low in only part of my Johnston house?

Low pressure at one or two fixtures usually points to a clogged aerator, a failing valve or a corroded branch line. Low pressure everywhere points to the main line, the main shutoff or the service line. We test both ways to find the cause.

Who is responsible for the water line on my Johnston property?

Responsibility for the service line can be split between the homeowner and the water utility, and the dividing point varies. Check with your water utility before planning service line work. We repair the plumbing on your side and tell you what we see.

Do you serve all of Johnston?

Yes. Our Des Moines branch covers all of Johnston as part of the north metro. You can read more on our Johnston plumbing and drain page or see our full plumbing repair services.

How do I schedule plumbing repair in Johnston?

Book service online and tell us what is leaking or what changed with your water pressure. If you know your home has an older water line, mention it so we plan the visit around it.