Plumbing Repairs in West Des Moines, IA

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

Older West Des Moines homes often carry their biggest plumbing risk inside the walls: drain pipe made of cast iron that has been corroding for decades. Our plumbing repairs in West Des Moines cover those drains along with the valves, spigots and supply lines every home depends on.

We at Clog Busters Drain Cleaning & Repair work in homes from the historic blocks of Valley Junction to the newer streets near Jordan Creek. Book service online and we will explain what we find before any repair begins.

West Des Moines Plumbing Repairs We Handle

• Cast iron drain section replacement. When part of a cast iron drain has cracked or rotted through, we cut out the failed section and replace it with PVC. The rest of the line stays in service if it is still sound.
• Cracked drain and vent pipe repair. A split stack or leaking vent lets water or sewer gas into the house. We locate the break and replace the damaged piece.
• Drain leak repair. Drips under sinks, tubs and laundry drains usually come from failed traps, slip joints or old fittings. For deeper drain line damage, see our drain repair service in West Des Moines.
• Main shutoff valve replacement. A main valve that is stuck, seeping or only closes part way gets replaced so you can shut off the house when you need to.
• Outdoor spigot repair and replacement. Leaking or broken outdoor faucets get repaired or swapped for a new one.
• Supply line and fitting leaks. We repair leaking copper, connectors and fittings on the lines that feed your fixtures.
• Faucet and fixture repair. Worn cartridges, washers and fill valves are replaced so the fixture stops dripping or running.

Why Cast Iron Drains Fail in Older West Des Moines Homes

Homes built before the 1970s commonly used cast iron for drain, waste and vent piping. A good share of that housing stock is still in use here.

The NCES ACS-ED profile for the West Des Moines Community School District, built from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data, reports that 21.4 percent of structures in the district were built before 1970. That district serves much of West Des Moines, including the older core around Valley Junction.

Cast iron corrodes from the inside out. Over decades, three things happen:

• Rust scale builds up on the pipe walls, narrows the opening and catches grease and paper.
• The bottom of horizontal runs, where water sits, thins until it cracks or splits along its length.
• Joints and fittings weaken, letting water or sewer gas escape.

That is why a slow drain in an older home is not always a simple clog. We run a camera through the line before we quote a repair, so you can see whether the pipe is sound or failing.

When a section has rotted through, we remove it and replace it with PVC, joined to the remaining cast iron with transition couplings. You get a repair sized to the actual damage instead of a guess.

Signs Your Older Home Needs Plumbing Repairs Now

Cast iron and aging valves rarely fail without warning. Call us if you notice any of these:

• Rust colored stains or damp spots on a basement drain stack or along a horizontal drain run.
• A sewer smell near the stack, a floor drain or a utility sink.
• Several fixtures draining slowly at once, or gurgling when another fixture drains.
• Water stains on a basement ceiling below a bathroom or kitchen.
• A main shutoff or outdoor spigot that drips, seeps or will not turn.

Catching these early usually means repairing one section or one valve instead of a larger stretch of pipe. If you see more than one sign, mention it when you book so we can plan the visit around a camera look.

What Customers Say After Our Repairs

Cast iron out, PVC in

Tiffany Freed’s home had a run of old cast iron drain pipe that needed to come out. It was a long, difficult job, and Luis stayed with it until it was done.

Tiffany Freed wrote: “Luis was awesome! Friendly and efficient, he was there a long time and had a hard job in front of him. He replaced cast iron with pvc wonderful work!”

Cast iron replacement is careful work: supporting the pipe that stays, making clean cuts and sealing tight transitions. We take the time the job needs. Read this review on Google

A new main shutoff and an outdoor spigot

Dustin Purscell needed work on the water line coming into his house and on an outdoor faucet. Both were handled in the same visit.

Dustin Purscell wrote: “Luis came out and was very nice and professional and the job was done right! They had to put a new shut off valve to the house and installed a water spicket”

A main shutoff that works is basic protection for every home. When we replace one, we also point out any other valves or fixtures that are close to failing. Read this review on Google

What Sets Our West Des Moines Service Apart

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

• Licensed and insured plumbers.
• Award-Winning Customer Service.
• Founder Jarod Smith, born and raised in Des Moines, opened Clog Busters in 2020 after more than 25 years in residential and commercial plumbing and drain work.
• A camera look at the line before we quote a drain or sewer repair.
• 24/7 emergency service when a pipe fails after hours.
• Same day service on urgent repairs.
• Fully stocked local trucks.
• Every option explained before work starts.

Book a Plumbing Repair in West Des Moines

Describe the leak, the smell or the slow drain, and we will set a time that works for you. Schedule your repair online.

If you would like to see inside your drains first, book a drain camera inspection in West Des Moines. Our West Des Moines plumbing and drain services page lists everything else we handle in the city.

West Des Moines Plumbing Repair FAQs

How can I tell if my West Des Moines home has cast iron drains?

Look at the large vertical pipe in the basement or utility area. Cast iron is heavy, dark and often marked with rust or scale at the joints. If your home was built before the 1970s and you see that pipe, it is likely cast iron.

Do you replace the whole cast iron system or just a section?

It depends on what the camera shows. If one run has cracked but the rest is solid, we replace that section with PVC. If corrosion is widespread, we explain the options and the cost of each before you decide.

Why does my basement smell like sewer gas near the main stack?

A cracked cast iron pipe, a failed joint or a dried out floor drain trap can all let sewer gas into the house. We find which one it is and repair it.

What if the problem is in the sewer line out to the street?

Damage beyond the foundation is a sewer repair, not a house drain repair. Our sewer services in West Des Moines cover that part of the line, starting with a camera look to find the trouble spot.

Can you replace a main shutoff valve on the first visit?

In many cases, yes. Our trucks are stocked with common valves, and we offer same day service for urgent problems. If your valve needs an unusual part, we tell you before we start.

How do I schedule plumbing repairs in West Des Moines?

Book service online and tell us what is going on. We will confirm a time and explain your options when we arrive.