​Drain Cleaning & Hydro Jetting

Drain Cleaning Services in Des Moines and Urbandale, IA

 

Slow or stopped drains are one of the most common plumbing problems in Des Moines-area homes, and they rarely resolve on their own. 72 Degrees provides professional drain cleaning for residential properties throughout Urbandale, Ankeny, Johnston, Clive, West Des Moines, Grimes, and the surrounding Polk County metro. We use cable drain cleaning and hydro jetting, selected based on the type of blockage and the actual condition of the pipe.

 

Our plumbers work on kitchen drains, bathroom drains, floor drains, laundry lines, and main sewer lines. We do not treat all drains the same because they do not all fail the same way.

 

Drain Cleaning Methods: Cable vs. Hydro Jetting

 

Cable drain cleaning uses a rotating metal cable to break through or dislodge a clog. It is effective for soft blockages, grease accumulations, and hair clogs in secondary drain lines. For a slow bathroom drain or a kitchen line that has backed up once, cable cleaning is typically the appropriate first step.

 

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water at 3,000 to 4,000 PSI to scour the interior wall of the pipe and flush debris downstream. It is more thorough than cable cleaning and the right choice when:

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• The drain has backed up repeatedly despite previous snaking

• A camera inspection shows heavy grease buildup or root intrusion that cable cannot fully remove

• The main line has partial root infiltration where scraping is more effective than snagging

• The property is being prepared for sale and a thorough line clearance is needed

 

We recommend camera inspection before hydro jetting on older pipes to confirm the line can handle the pressure safely. Clay and cast iron lines in older Des Moines and Urbandale neighborhoods can have structural weaknesses that make high-pressure cleaning a risk without a preliminary look. If that is the case, we tell you before we proceed.

 

Main Line and Sewer Cleaning in the Des Moines Metro

 

A blocked main sewer line is a different problem from a slow sink drain and behaves differently. When the main line is obstructed, multiple fixtures back up at once: a toilet flushes slowly while a nearby shower drain overflows, or water comes up through a basement floor drain when another fixture is used. These are signs that the problem is downstream of where the individual lines converge.

 

The older neighborhoods in central Des Moines, the established blocks of Urbandale west of Douglas Avenue, and homes in Clive built before 1970 commonly have original clay sewer laterals. Clay pipe is prone to joint separation, root infiltration, and cracking over decades of Iowa freeze-thaw stress. A sewer camera inspection tells you the condition of your specific line rather than requiring you to estimate based on the age of the home.

If main line cleaning does not hold, or if the camera reveals a compromised line, we handle sewer line repair including trenchless options when site conditions allow.

 

What to Expect on a 72 Degrees Drain Call

 

When you call (515) 965-7272, we schedule an arrival window that works with your day. The technician arrives, assesses the drain problem, and tells you the recommended method and the cost before any work begins. For main line issues, we typically run a camera first to confirm what we are dealing with. You see the footage and understand the problem before we propose a solution.

After clearing, we verify flow is restored. If the inspection reveals a more significant issue such as a collapsed pipe section or extensive root intrusion, we walk you through the findings and options. We do not push unnecessary repairs, and we do not clear a drain and leave without explaining what caused the problem.

 

Preventing Recurring Drain Problems in Urbandale and Des Moines

 

Most recurring drain problems in Des Moines-area homes have one of three root causes. First, accumulated grease and soap residue in kitchen lines, especially in homes where garbage disposals handle food waste regularly. Second, root infiltration from the large oak and elm trees common throughout Urbandale's established neighborhoods near Walnut Creek Regional Park and Lions Park. Third, scale buildup in homes with hard water: Des Moines Water Works supplies water at 157 ppm (9 grains per gallon), and mineral deposits in drain lines contribute to chronic slow drains over time.

 

Understanding the cause is more useful than repeated clearing. Our drain cleaning service includes a diagnostic conversation about what we found, not just the mechanical clearing itself. If a water softener or a change in household habits would reduce the frequency of future calls, we will say so.

 

Schedule Drain Cleaning in Des Moines and Urbandale

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Call (515) 965-7272 to schedule drain cleaning or request emergency dispatch for a backed-up line. Available

24/7 with no overtime charges.

 

3074 104th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

 

Return to Plumbing Services   |   Schedule Online   |   Emergency Plumbing

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much does drain cleaning cost in Des Moines?

 

A standard drain cleaning for a single secondary line typically runs $150 to $300. Main line cleaning and sewer service runs higher, particularly when camera inspection is included. 72 Degrees provides a price before any work begins. See current offers for available discounts.

 

Can you unclog a drain the same day in Urbandale or Ankeny?

 

In most cases, yes. We maintain availability for same-day drain calls across our service area, including Urbandale, Ankeny, Johnston, Clive, and West Des Moines. Emergency dispatch is available 24/7 for severe backups that cannot wait.

 

Is hydro jetting safe for older pipes?

 

Hydro jetting is safe for pipes in good structural condition. It is not appropriate for deteriorated clay or compromised cast iron without a camera inspection first. We assess the pipe before recommending high-pressure cleaning so we do not create a larger problem than the one we came to fix.

 

What causes main line backups in Des Moines-area homes?

 

The most common causes in this market are tree root infiltration from Urbandale and Des Moines's mature oak and elm canopy, grease accumulation in kitchen lines, and joint failures in clay sewer laterals accelerated by Iowa freeze-thaw cycles. See our sewer services page for camera inspection and repair options.

 

Do you use cameras to diagnose drain problems?

 

Yes. For main line issues and recurring secondary line problems, we use video camera inspection to identify the exact cause before recommending a solution. You see the footage before we proceed. See sewer camera inspection.

 

My basement drain is backing up. What should I do right now?

 

Stop using all water-intensive appliances and avoid flushing toilets if possible. A basement floor drain backing up typically signals a main line obstruction, not a localized clog. Call (515) 965-7272. This situation does not benefit from waiting.

 

How often should drains be professionally cleaned?

 

Most households do not need routine preventive drain cleaning. Homes with a history of root intrusion benefit from annual or biannual main line cleaning. Kitchen drain cleaning every 2 to 3 years is reasonable for households that use garbage disposals regularly and notice gradual slowing.

 

Can drain cleaning damage my pipes?

 

Improperly performed cable cleaning can score soft pipe materials, and hydro jetting can stress already-compromised pipe walls. These risks are avoided through proper diagnosis first: camera inspection before selecting the cleaning method. We do not apply the most aggressive tool by default. See sewer services for inspection options.