State plumbing guide · IA
Plumbing in Iowa
Iowa uses the Uniform Plumbing Code statewide and requires everyone working in the plumbing and mechanical trades to be licensed by a state board. Cold winters and spring flooding shape many repairs.
- Median home built
- 1973
- Built before 1980
- 60%
- Owner-occupied
- 71%
- Winter
- Long, hard freezes
- General statewide rating
- Plumbing code
- UPC
- City guides
- 1
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035, B25034).
Iowa city plumbing guides
How to check a plumber's license in Iowa
Iowa's Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board licenses plumbing and mechanical trades, and anyone working or contracting in those trades in Iowa must be licensed by the board. [1]
Seasonal problems to plan for in Iowa
- Winter
- Hard freezes: protect exposed pipes, disconnect hoses. Frozen pipes.
- Storm season
- Heavy rain: sewer backups and sump pump failures.
Iowa's older housing stock
Statewide, the median home was built in 1973 and 60% of homes predate 1980. Homes like that were usually built with copper supply, early plastic (ABS or PVC) drains, some cast iron. The city guides below show how much that varies within the state.
Which plumbing code applies in Iowa
Effective June 23, 2021, the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, with Iowa amendments, is the state plumbing code of Iowa. [2]
Iowa plumbing questions
How do I check a plumber's license in Iowa?
Verify the license with the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board's online lookup.
Which plumbing code applies in Iowa?
The 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code with Iowa amendments, the state plumbing code since June 23, 2021.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035, B25034) · checked 2026-10-01
- Iowa DIAL, Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board · checked 2026-10-01
- Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Iowa State Plumbing Code · checked 2026-10-01