Gas Line Repair & Installation

Gas Line Services in Des Moines and Urbandale, IA

72 Degrees provides gas line installation and repair for residential properties throughout Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Grimes, Clive, and the surrounding Polk County metro. Our plumbers are licensed for gas line work under Iowa Code and perform all work to state and local code requirements, including pressure testing before sign-off on any job.

Gas line work is not a category where improvised repairs or unlicensed work is appropriate. Whether the job is a new appliance connection, an outdoor extension, or a suspected leak, it is handled by licensed technicians using proper detection equipment and pressure testing.

If you smell gas: leave the building without touching any switches. Call MidAmerican Energy at 1-800-595-5325 from outside. Once the utility has responded and cleared the area, call 72 Degrees at (515) 965-7272 for gas line diagnosis and repair.

Gas Line Installation in Des Moines

We install gas lines for a full range of residential applications. Common installation requests in the Urbandale, Ankeny, and greater Des Moines market include:

Natural gas appliances: ranges and cooktops, dryers, water heaters, and furnaces requiring new or upgraded connections
Outdoor living: natural gas fire pits, patio heaters, outdoor grills, and built-in outdoor kitchens — particularly common in newer Ankeny, Grimes, and Waukee subdivisions where outdoor living additions are frequent
Standby generators: natural gas generators require a dedicated supply line sized for continuous full-load operation during extended power outages
Gas fireplaces and log sets: dedicated lines for gas log sets in existing masonry fireplaces or new gas fireplace inserts

All new gas line work requires a permit through the relevant municipality: the City of Urbandale, City of Des Moines, City of Ankeny, or the applicable Polk County jurisdiction. 72 Degrees handles permit coordination as part of every new installation.

Gas Line Pipe Materials

The two primary materials used in residential gas line work in the Des Moines metro are black iron pipe and CSST.

Black iron pipe: the traditional material for gas distribution lines, threaded and joined at each section. Durable and code-compliant in all applications. Less flexible to route through finished wall cavities or around structural elements than CSST.

CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing): flexible gas line tubing that routes more easily through wall cavities and around framing. Widely used in new construction throughout Ankeny, Grimes, and Waukee. Iowa building code requires CSST to be bonded to the home's electrical grounding system to protect against lightning-induced arc damage. This bonding requirement is missing in many older CSST installations. We identify and correct this deficiency during any gas line service that involves existing CSST.

Gas Line Repair in Des Moines and Urbandale

Gas line repairs range from tightening loose connections to replacing corroded pipe sections. We diagnose with gas detection equipment and pressure testing before opening any line, which confirms the location and nature of the problem first.

Common repair situations:

Loose or failed appliance connections: fittings at the appliance shutoff or flex connector that have loosened over time or been stressed by movement or vibration
Corroded pipe sections: black iron pipe in older Des Moines homes exposed to moisture in basements or crawl spaces can develop corrosion that eventually penetrates the pipe wall
Damaged flex connectors: the flexible connectors between the gas shutoff and an appliance have a finite service life and should be replaced if kinked, stretched, or showing any external corrosion
CSST arc damage: lightning strikes near a home can cause arc damage to unbonded CSST where the tubing contacts metal building components. Inspection after a significant nearby strike is warranted if your home has unbonded CSST

After any repair, we pressure-test the full repaired section to confirm the system is sealed before restoring gas service and relighting appliances.

Working with MidAmerican Energy

MidAmerican Energy is the primary natural gas utility serving the Des Moines metro, including Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, and Clive. For new gas service connections or extensions involving the utility's main (the utility's side of the meter), we coordinate with MidAmerican as part of the project. All work we perform is on the customer-owned side of the meter.

MidAmerican Energy's emergency line is 1-800-595-5325, answered 24 hours a day. For any suspected gas leak, contact them first before calling us.

Schedule Gas Line Service in Des Moines and Urbandale

Call (515) 965-7272 to schedule gas line installation or repair. For gas emergencies, call MidAmerican Energy first at 1-800-595-5325, then call 72 Degrees once you are safely outside.

3074 104th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

Schedule Online | Plumbing Services | Emergency Plumbing

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is licensed to do gas line work in Des Moines and what license is required?

In Iowa, gas line work on the customer side of the meter is performed by licensed plumbers holding a plumbing contractor license issued by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. 72 Degrees holds Iowa Plumbing Contractor License #51239.

Do I need a permit for a new gas line in Urbandale or Ankeny?

Yes. New gas line installations require a permit from the relevant municipality. The permit process involves a code inspection before the line is placed in service. 72 Degrees handles permit coordination as part of every new installation.

What should I do if I smell gas in my home?

Leave immediately without touching any light switches or electrical devices. Call MidAmerican Energy's emergency line at 1-800-595-5325 from outside. Once the utility responds and clears the area, call 72 Degrees at (515) 965-7272 for gas line diagnosis and repair. Do not re-enter the building until the utility gives the all-clear.

Can you run a gas line to an outdoor fire pit or grill in Ankeny or Urbandale?

Yes. Outdoor gas line extensions for fire pits, grills, and patio heaters are common installation requests in newer Ankeny, Grimes, and Waukee subdivisions. The line runs from the interior supply through the foundation to the outdoor connection point. We size the line for the appliance load and install a shutoff at the termination.

What is CSST and is my home required to have it bonded?

CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) is a flexible gas line material widely used in new construction since the 1990s. Iowa code requires CSST to be bonded to the home's electrical grounding system to protect against lightning arc damage. Many older CSST installations lack this grounding. We verify bonding status during any gas line service that involves existing CSST and correct deficiencies as part of the work.

My gas appliance isn't getting pressure. Is that a gas line problem?

Possibly, but it could also be an appliance-side issue: a failed gas valve, a clogged orifice, or a pressure regulator problem. We diagnose both the supply line and the appliance connection before assuming the pipe is at fault. If the problem is in the appliance rather than the supply line, we will tell you.

How long does a gas line installation take for an outdoor connection?

Most straightforward outdoor gas line extensions for a fire pit or grill are completed in 3 to 5 hours, including the pressure test. More complex routes through finished basement walls or longer distances take longer. We provide a time estimate after assessing the route at the quote visit.

Does 72 Degrees handle generator gas line connections in Des Moines?

Yes. Standby generator connections require a gas line sized for continuous full-load operation, which is typically a larger diameter than standard appliance connections. We size and install the supply line and coordinate with the generator installation to confirm the gas supply meets the unit's BTU requirements.