Fairway fixes leaks, burst pipes, clogged drains and water heaters across the Des Moines metro, 24 hours a day. The service call is $89, and clearing a main drain starts at $189.
If water is spreading, shut the main water valve first. It's usually in the basement where the water line comes through the wall.
We repair and replace water lines, drains, fixtures, water heaters and sump pumps in homes and small offices. We do not install septic systems, wells or new commercial plumbing.
Water where it shouldn't be? Do this first
The first five minutes matter more than anything we do afterward.
- Shut off the main. Turn the valve where the water line enters the house, usually in the basement.
- Turn off the water heater. Gas to pilot, or the breaker for an electric one.
- Open a low faucet. It drains the pressure out of the pipes.
- Take photos. Your insurer will want them, before cleanup starts.
Plumbing repair
Every repair is a flat rate you approve before we start.
- Burst and frozen pipes. Common in Des Moines cold snaps. Most single repairs run $250 to $600.
- Clogged drains. Kitchen and bath drains from $189, main sewer lines from $289, with a camera look if it keeps coming back.
- Leaking fixtures. Faucets, toilets and shutoff valves, usually fixed in one visit.
- Sump pumps. Replaced the same day in spring storm season.
Water heaters
No hot water or a leaking tank is one of our most common calls. Most are replaced the same or next day.
- Tank repair. Thermocouples, gas valves and elements, when the tank itself is sound.
- Tank replacement. A 50-gallon gas tank runs $1,750 to $2,600 installed.
Prices, sizes and tankless options are on water heater repair and replacement.
How a plumbing call works
Most plumbing calls are fixed in one visit; the trucks carry common pipe, fittings, valves and drain machines.
- 1You call. A dispatcher answers, walks you through shutting off water if needed, and gives an arrival window.
- 2The plumber finds the cause. With a camera for drains that keep backing up.
- 3You see the price. A flat rate for the whole job, before work starts.
- 4It's fixed. With a one-year warranty on the repair.
What plumbing repair costs in Des Moines
The service call and after-hours fee are fixed. Every repair is a flat rate quoted after we see it.
- Service callAny hour
- $89
- Nights
- +$75
- Sink
- From $189
- Main sewer line clearing
- From $289
What moves the number most:
- Access. A pipe behind finished drywall takes longer than one in an open basement.
- Pipe material. Old galvanized pipe often needs more replaced than the leak itself.
- Root intrusion. Tree roots in older sewer lines can mean a camera inspection and a bigger fix.
The price you approve is the price you pay, any hour.
Why homeowners choose Fairway Heating & Plumbing
A person answers when water's on the floor.
And walks you through shutting it off while we drive over.
The price comes first.
Flat rate before any work starts.
Cameras, not guesses.
Drains that keep backing up get a camera look, so you fix it once.
Warranty in writing.
One year on every repair.
Plumbing questions we get asked
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve, usually in the basement where the line enters the house. Turn off the water heater, open a low faucet to relieve pressure, and take photos for your insurer. Then call us. A plumber can usually be there within two hours, any time.
How much does an emergency plumber cost in Des Moines?
Our service call is $89 at any hour, plus $75 nights, weekends and holidays. Repairs are a flat rate you approve before we start. Most burst-pipe repairs run $250 to $600 and drain clearing starts at $189.
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Usually grease and buildup in the line, or tree roots in older sewer lines. Clearing it fixes the symptom; a camera inspection shows the cause. If it's the third clog this year, ask for the camera.
How do I keep pipes from freezing?
Keep the heat at 55 degrees or more, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, and let a faucet drip on the coldest nights. Disconnect garden hoses before the first hard freeze.
Areas we serve
- Des Moines, IA
- West Des Moines, IA
- Ankeny, IA
- Urbandale, IA
- Johnston, IA
- Clive, IA
- Waukee, IA
- Altoona, IA
- Pleasant Hill, IA
- Norwalk, IA
Updated October 2026