Polk County · Des Moines–West Des Moines metro

Plumbing help in Des Moines, IA

Frozen PipesHard Water

Des Moines draws river water and keeps its hardness in check at the plant. Most homes predate 1980, and Iowa winters and spring floods mean frozen pipes, sump pumps and aging sewer lines lead the city's plumbing calls.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help in Des Moines and Polk County

Brick house with snow on the roof and lawn

Median home built: 1963
Built before 1980: 67%
Owner-occupied: 59%
Water hardness: Hard; ≈ 8.8 grains/gal
Winter: Long, hard freezes
Plumbing code: UPC

The plumbing calls that come up most in Des Moines

Sump Pump Repair and Installation
Spring floods and high groundwater test basement sump pumps.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Iowa winters freeze pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces.
Sewer Line Repair
Older laterals crack and let roots in.

Protecting pipes through a Des Moines winter

Long, hard freezes · 67% of Des Moines homes were built before 1980

Before winter:Winterizing checklist Outdoor faucets Find your shutoff

If a pipe freezes:Frozen pipe repair Burst pipe repair No water

Emergency plumbing in Des Moines

Call (833) 878-1592

Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Des Moines homes, based on local conditions.

Hard water in Des Moines: what it does to heaters and fixtures

Des Moines Water Works aims to keep total hardness below 150 mg/L (about 8.8 grains per gallon), and draws from sources including the Raccoon River. [1]

≈ 8.8 gpg

SoftModerately hardHardVery hard

Grains per gallon, from the utility's published figures. Scale per USGS hardness classes.

Hard-water upkeep:Water heater flushing Water softeners Hard water and plumbing Noisy water heater

What's behind the walls of Des Moines's older homes

The median home in Des Moines was built in 1963, and 67% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or galvanized supply, cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals.

Median home: 1963

1900195020002025

Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
Copper supply (1950–2000)
Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
PEX / CPVC (1995–today)

Typical supply-pipe materials by construction year. Many older homes have been partly repiped since.

Common projects in homes like these:Repiping Sewer camera inspection Water line repair Brown or rusty water

Plumbing code and permits in Des Moines

Plumbing in Des Moines follows the Iowa State Plumbing Code (the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code with Iowa amendments), and plumbers are licensed by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. [2]

Licensing:Check a plumber's license in Iowa How to check a license

Plumbing services for Des Moines homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Des Moines plumbing questions

Is Des Moines water hard?

Moderately. Des Moines Water Works targets total hardness under about 150 mg/L (roughly 8.8 grains per gallon).

How do I check a Des Moines plumber?

Verify the license with the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board.

How do I protect my basement in a Des Moines spring flood?

Keep a tested sump pump with battery backup, a backwater valve on the main line, and downspouts discharging away from the foundation.

Which plumbing code applies in Des Moines?

The Iowa State Plumbing Code, which is the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code with Iowa amendments.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
Des Moines Water Works, Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-10-01
Iowa DIAL, Iowa State Plumbing Code · checked 2026-10-01