With over 30 years of experience serving the Ames area, HT Plumbing is your solution for all your Plumbing needs. We take great pride in our extreme professionalism, timeliness and superior customer service on every job. We make sure to develop a lasting relationship so that the next time service is needed there will be no question on who to call. Call us today! Satisfaction guaranteed.
With over 30 years of experience serving the Ames area, HT Plumbing is your solution for all your Plumbing needs. We take great pride in our extreme professionalism, timeliness and superior customer service on every job. We make sure to develop a lasting relationship so that the next time service is needed there will be no question on who to call. Call us today! Satisfaction guaranteed.
Foundation Recovery Systems (FRS), A Groundworks Company, specializes in helping homeowners with their foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete needs. Our top priority is providing high-quality home repair solutions and personalized service throughout Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas. With fully trained technicians, industry-leading products, and nationally backed warranties, FRS is here to restore your foundation or crawl space.
"Very knowledgeable . Polite. Made 1 job into 3 or more. I'm very satisfied."
Tammie B on January 2025
Foundation Recovery Systems (FRS), A Groundworks Company, specializes in helping homeowners with their foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete needs. Our top priority is providing high-quality home repair solutions and personalized service throughout Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas. With fully trained technicians, industry-leading products, and nationally backed warranties, FRS is here to restore your foundation or crawl space.
"Very knowledgeable . Polite. Made 1 job into 3 or more. I'm very satisfied."
Tammie B on January 2025
VIP Contractors, LLC has a single mission to supply complete customer satisfaction! We have consistently focused on the needs of our customers, supplying personalized attention and stress-free experience. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job. We look forward to building a lasting relationship and guarantee your satisfaction!
"Fast friendly service! Talked me through maintenance and answered all my questions! Great job!"
Kathleen F on April 2022
VIP Contractors, LLC has a single mission to supply complete customer satisfaction! We have consistently focused on the needs of our customers, supplying personalized attention and stress-free experience. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job. We look forward to building a lasting relationship and guarantee your satisfaction!
"Fast friendly service! Talked me through maintenance and answered all my questions! Great job!"
Kathleen F on April 2022
Golden Rule aims to be the friendly neighborhood choice for heating services in both Des Moines, IA, and Salt Lake City, UT. These regions experience distinct climates throughout the year, with Des Moines facing hot, humid summers and cold winters with significant snowfall. At the same time, Salt Lake City endures dry, hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
"The service went great with them and and they were helpful and knowledgeable."
Meghan K on January 2025
Golden Rule aims to be the friendly neighborhood choice for heating services in both Des Moines, IA, and Salt Lake City, UT. These regions experience distinct climates throughout the year, with Des Moines facing hot, humid summers and cold winters with significant snowfall. At the same time, Salt Lake City endures dry, hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
"The service went great with them and and they were helpful and knowledgeable."
Meghan K on January 2025
You may know us by the catchiness of our slogan, but we hope you end up knowing us by the quality of our service. The number to call for exceptional air conditioning and heating services in Des Moines, IA is ours. Not only do the professional HVAC technicians at Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling excel in the installation and replacement of heating and air conditioning systems, but they also offer exceptional repair and maintenance services in order to keep those systems functioning as well as possible. Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling provides air conditioning and heating services in the Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA areas.
"The first time that routine service was needed, Zach Graves did the work. He was so knowledgeable and efficiency, I have always asked for him since. Excellent experience."
Ray B on September 2024
You may know us by the catchiness of our slogan, but we hope you end up knowing us by the quality of our service. The number to call for exceptional air conditioning and heating services in Des Moines, IA is ours. Not only do the professional HVAC technicians at Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling excel in the installation and replacement of heating and air conditioning systems, but they also offer exceptional repair and maintenance services in order to keep those systems functioning as well as possible. Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling provides air conditioning and heating services in the Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA areas.
"The first time that routine service was needed, Zach Graves did the work. He was so knowledgeable and efficiency, I have always asked for him since. Excellent experience."
Ray B on September 2024
Roto-Rooter is here to help you with all of the plumbing needs that may come up. We are sewer main and septic specialists, and also specialize in camera locating drain clogs. Roto-Rooter now offers financing. Call for details. In business since 1935, and the originators of working on sewer and drain clogs. Please call us today to set up the best time for us to help you! Ask for Jim.
"They did what we paid them for. Good job!"
Andrew N on April 2025
Roto-Rooter is here to help you with all of the plumbing needs that may come up. We are sewer main and septic specialists, and also specialize in camera locating drain clogs. Roto-Rooter now offers financing. Call for details. In business since 1935, and the originators of working on sewer and drain clogs. Please call us today to set up the best time for us to help you! Ask for Jim.
"They did what we paid them for. Good job!"
Andrew N on April 2025
Total Comfort Group, is here to serve your Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, excavation, and drain cleaning needs from preventative maintenance to service and installs. We are very timely with our work and always pay attention to even the smallest detail. With over 40 years of combined experience, customer preference and priorities are always first. We pride ourselves in caring for your comfort needs!
"Professional and timely service"
Jennifer S on May 2024
Total Comfort Group, is here to serve your Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, excavation, and drain cleaning needs from preventative maintenance to service and installs. We are very timely with our work and always pay attention to even the smallest detail. With over 40 years of combined experience, customer preference and priorities are always first. We pride ourselves in caring for your comfort needs!
"Professional and timely service"
Jennifer S on May 2024
Greens Appliance Heating & Cooling, Inc. has been family owned and operated since 1958. Since then, Greens has become an icon in the industry and has earned a reputation in the Des Moines area for providing quality service with integrity and dependability. Our experienced and skilled technicians at Greens repair and install all makes, all models, and all brands of major appliances and heating & cooling systems.
"I scheduled service using their online tool. After my service window expired without a technician showing up, I called and was told the online scheduling tool wasn't up to date and let me schedule an appointment that was unavailable. They said they had called the previous night to let me know, but I have no missed call and no voicemail from them. They offered to reschedule me for a full 5 days after my initial appointment which I declined. They made no other effort to make up for their mistake."
Neil R on September 2023
Greens Appliance Heating & Cooling, Inc. has been family owned and operated since 1958. Since then, Greens has become an icon in the industry and has earned a reputation in the Des Moines area for providing quality service with integrity and dependability. Our experienced and skilled technicians at Greens repair and install all makes, all models, and all brands of major appliances and heating & cooling systems.
"I scheduled service using their online tool. After my service window expired without a technician showing up, I called and was told the online scheduling tool wasn't up to date and let me schedule an appointment that was unavailable. They said they had called the previous night to let me know, but I have no missed call and no voicemail from them. They offered to reschedule me for a full 5 days after my initial appointment which I declined. They made no other effort to make up for their mistake."
Neil R on September 2023
We specialize in custom kitchen and bath renovations but can outfit any room in your home or do a complete remodel. In addition to remodeling, we do custom closets, flooring, drywall, painting, bars, and trim carpentry. JFord Construction is a Central Iowa construction company that specializes in residential general construction. Their team of experienced professionals offer basement remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, flooring, drywall, painting, remodeling, trim work, custom closets, custom cabinets, bars, trim carpentry and more. JFord Construction is dedicated to providing high-quality workmanship and customer service at competitive prices. Contact us today for a free consultation!
"Went fantastic! Jonathon fixed our entry door knob that wouldn’t latch. He was prompt and friendly. He has helped out several times around our home. Painting and installing a safety railing on our porch!!! Please give him a call!"
Kimber P on March 2025
We specialize in custom kitchen and bath renovations but can outfit any room in your home or do a complete remodel. In addition to remodeling, we do custom closets, flooring, drywall, painting, bars, and trim carpentry. JFord Construction is a Central Iowa construction company that specializes in residential general construction. Their team of experienced professionals offer basement remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, flooring, drywall, painting, remodeling, trim work, custom closets, custom cabinets, bars, trim carpentry and more. JFord Construction is dedicated to providing high-quality workmanship and customer service at competitive prices. Contact us today for a free consultation!
"Went fantastic! Jonathon fixed our entry door knob that wouldn’t latch. He was prompt and friendly. He has helped out several times around our home. Painting and installing a safety railing on our porch!!! Please give him a call!"
Kimber P on March 2025
PlanurBuild LLC/BCS has been remodeling residential homes since 2003. We are known for taking difficult remodels and working with the customer to do it right. We strive in building relationships one project at a time. We do that by paying attention to the details and using only the highest quality products. When we pick up the products from the vendor, we inspect it to make sure that it meets or exceeds standards. You name it, we've done it. We love remodeling homes whether that be kitchen, baths, basement finishes all the way to fixing structures damaged from pest, water or fire.
"Excellent. The doors and trim are exactly the color and style I wanted. It made a huge difference in the appearance of my home."
Patty G on November 2024
PlanurBuild LLC/BCS has been remodeling residential homes since 2003. We are known for taking difficult remodels and working with the customer to do it right. We strive in building relationships one project at a time. We do that by paying attention to the details and using only the highest quality products. When we pick up the products from the vendor, we inspect it to make sure that it meets or exceeds standards. You name it, we've done it. We love remodeling homes whether that be kitchen, baths, basement finishes all the way to fixing structures damaged from pest, water or fire.
"Excellent. The doors and trim are exactly the color and style I wanted. It made a huge difference in the appearance of my home."
Patty G on November 2024
Most residential pumps draw approximately 1,300 to 2,900 watts when they first start, then settle at roughly 800 to 1,050 watts during normal operation. The exact number depends on the motor’s horsepower and how often the float switch tells the pump to run. Even at the high end, the electricity cost is minor compared with the expense of cleaning up a flooded basement.
Grab a ruler and an empty 18‑inch‑wide pit. During a steady rain, time how much the water rises in one minute. Multiply that depth (in inches) by 60 to calculate gallons per hour, then add 50% for safety. If the result tops 2,100 gallons per hour—about 35 gallons a minute—you’ll need a 3/4‑horsepower unit. Anything lower, and a 1/3- or 1/2-horsepower pump should do the trick.
Loud rattling, constant cycling, or shuddering vibrations are the pump’s way of telling you it’s on its last legs. Musty smells, higher electric bills, and visible rust are other red flags. If the unit is 10 years old or older and exhibits any of these symptoms, replace it before the next heavy rain turns your basement into a wading pool.
You don’t have to hire a licensed plumber, but you should still bring in someone who installs sump pumps for a living—whether that’s a plumber, basement‑waterproofing specialist, or experienced handyman. They know the local codes, can wire the pump safely, and will test the system before they leave. Skipping professional help might void the warranty and could leave you with a pump that fails when you need it most.
Not every basement needs a pump, but if your home sits in a floodplain, has a high water table, or has ever taken on water during a storm, a sump pump is inexpensive insurance. For basements that only struggle with condensation or the occasional damp spot, sealing cracks and improving drainage may be all that is needed.