--- title: "24/7 Emergency Plumber & HVAC in Des Moines" description: "24/7 emergency plumber & HVAC in Des Moines, IA. Burst pipes, sewer backup, no heat, gas leaks. 60–90 min response. Call (515) 494-5483." url: https://des-moines-plumbing-hvac.b-daniels.workers.dev/services/emergency/ --- # 24/7 Emergency Plumber & HVAC in Des Moines Burst pipes, sewer backups, no heat in winter, no AC in heat waves — dispatched in 60–90 minutes across the metro. **Des Moines Plumbing & HVAC** · (515) 494-5483 (24/7 emergency; standard hours Mon–Sat 7am–7pm) · Polk County & Central Iowa ## Quick answers - **How much does it cost?** Transparent emergency rates with a small after-hours dispatch premium ($75–$125) on top of standard pricing. No surprise tripled rates, no hidden weekend fees — what we quote is what you pay. - **What's the process?** We triage on the phone (shut off the main if you can, get out if it's gas), dispatch the closest tech, stabilize the immediate damage, then repair. Insurance-ready documentation included. - **How fast can you come?** Typical 60–90 minute response anywhere in Polk County. Often faster in the Des Moines, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Clive cores. Slower in heavy snow or storm events but we still come. ## When it can't wait, we pick up. Real emergencies — burst pipe in a finished basement, sewage backing up at 2am, no heat at -10F, a gas smell at the water heater — don't care what day of the week it is. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every holiday, every storm. ### What counts as a real emergency If water is actively damaging your home, if you have no heat in winter, no AC during a heat advisory, sewage in your living space, or any smell of gas — that's an emergency. We dispatch immediately. If a single drain is slow, the water heater pilot is out (gas off — safe but inconvenient), or your AC is just running warm at noon — we'll come, but those can wait until business hours and save you the dispatch premium. ### The first five minutes matter more than the next hour Knowing where your main water shut-off is — before you need it — is one of the highest-leverage things any homeowner can do. It's usually in the basement, in a utility closet, or at the meter outside. Shutting it off in the first 60 seconds of a burst pipe can be the difference between drying out a floor and replacing one. For gas, the rule is simpler: leave. Call MidAmerican (888-427-5632) from outside. They come free, shut the supply, and check for leaks. Then we come fix the cause. ### Storm and freeze events Iowa storms put real load on us, and we triage by severity. Active gushing leaks and no-heat in extreme cold come first. Slow leaks and "warm but not cold" AC go in the queue. We tell you upfront what your wait looks like. ## What's included - Burst and frozen pipe repair - Active leak shut-off and temporary patching - Sewer line backups and basement flooding - No-heat emergencies in winter (gas, electric, heat pump) - No-AC emergencies during heat advisories - Water heater leaks and failures - Sump pump failures during storms - Gas leak response (after gas company shuts off supply) ## Signs you need 24/7 emergency plumber & hvac - Water gushing or spraying from a pipe - Sewage backing up into a basement or tub - No heat with outdoor temps below freezing - No AC with vulnerable family during heat advisory - Smell of gas (LEAVE the house, call gas co + 911) - Water heater leaking onto a finished floor ## Our process 1. **Call** — We pick up 24/7. Tell us what's happening. We triage on the phone — for gas, that's leave the house. For water, that's get to your main shut-off and turn it clockwise. 2. **Triage** — We dispatch the closest tech with the right equipment. While they drive, we coach you through immediate damage control — shut-offs, towels, where to move belongings. 3. **Stabilize** — First priority on arrival is stopping further damage. Shut-off valves, temporary patches, water extraction, blocking the source. The full repair comes second. 4. **Repair** — Permanent fix once the immediate emergency is contained. We write up everything for insurance — photos, cause, repair scope, damaged materials — so your claim is clean. ## Frequently asked questions ### What's your actual response time in Des Moines? Typical 60–90 minutes anywhere in Polk County in normal conditions. Often 30–60 in the urban core (Des Moines, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Clive, Ankeny). In a blizzard or after a major storm we may be longer, but we keep you posted in real time and dispatch from the closest crew. ### How much extra is after-hours service? We charge a flat $75–$125 dispatch premium for after-hours, weekends, and holidays — on top of standard repair pricing. No tripled rates, no hidden fees. The quote we give before work starts is the price you pay. ### What should I do before the tech arrives? For water — shut off your main (usually in the basement near where water enters the house, or at the meter). Move valuables off wet floors. For gas — LEAVE the house immediately, do not flip switches or use phones inside, call MidAmerican (888-427-5632) and then 911. For sewer backup — keep everyone away from the area, don't run any water. ### I smell gas. What do I do right now? Get everyone (and pets) out of the house immediately. Do not turn any light switches on or off, do not use any phone inside. Once outside, call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632 — they'll come shut off the gas and check for leaks free of charge. After they've made it safe, call us to find and repair the source. ### My pipes are frozen — should I wait or call? Call now. A frozen pipe hasn't burst yet but it will when it thaws. We can locate the freeze, thaw it safely, and pressure-test before water turns on. DIY thawing with a hair dryer is fine for an exposed copper line you can see; never use a torch, and never thaw a pipe you can't see — you may already have a crack.