Plumbing emergencies do not wait for a good time. One minute everything is fine, and the next you are staring at water coming from a place it definitely should not be. When that happens, you want to call a team that answers the phone, understands the urgency and can get someone to your home fast. Schaal Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been helping Des Moines homeowners through situations like this for more than seventy-five years. We know these problems feel overwhelming, and our job is to help bring things back under control as quickly as possible.
Our technicians are licensed and insured, familiar with older Des Moines homes and newer builds and trained to work calmly in high-pressure situations. You get upfront pricing and clear explanations so you know exactly what is happening and what the plan is.
What Defines a Plumbing Emergency
A plumbing emergency is any situation that threatens your home, your health or your ability to use essential fixtures. If water is spreading, sewage is backing up or you have lost something crucial like hot water, it counts as an emergency. In Iowa, frozen pipes and sudden temperature drops can make everything worse, so getting help right away matters.
Common emergency scenarios include:
- Burst or frozen pipes that can flood part of the home
- Sewer line backups that push sewage into tubs or toilets
- Major leaks around fixtures, walls or appliances
- A complete loss of hot water during cold weather
- Clogged drains or toilets affecting multiple fixtures
If any of these are happening, waiting usually makes the damage worse.
Fast, Expert Solutions for Your Worst Plumbing Nightmares
When our emergency plumber arrives, the first goal is simple. Stop the active problem. Once the immediate threat is contained, we look at the cause and talk through what needs to happen next. Des Moines homes deal with pipe freezing, aging plumbing, sewer issues and water heater failures throughout the year, so our team is prepared for all types of emergencies.
Here are some of the issues we handle:
- Pipe repair for burst, leaking or frozen lines
- Emergency drain clearing and hydro jetting for severe clogs
- Hot water loss due to water heater failure
- Sewer or septic backups that need fast attention
- Leaks from toilets, sinks or other fixtures
We arrive with tools and parts for many common repairs so we can get started right away.
Our Emergency Service Process
A plumbing emergency can be stressful. Knowing what happens next helps things feel more manageable. Here is how our process works from start to finish.
Step 1: When you call, a local Schaal representative answers. You talk to a person who understands plumbing issues and can get you help quickly.
Step 2: We dispatch an emergency plumber with a stocked truck to your Des Moines home.
Step 3: The technician arrives, finds the source of the problem and takes immediate steps to stop water flow or contain the issue.
Step 4: Before repairs begin, we provide a clear written estimate so you know what to expect.
Step 5: The repair is completed using professional tools and proper methods for your plumbing system.
Step 6: We clean up the work area and test everything to make sure the system is safe and functioning.
This process helps protect your home and gives you a sense of direction during a difficult situation.
Protecting Your Home: Tips to Avoid a Future Plumbing Crisis
A few simple habits can help prevent emergencies or at least reduce your chances of facing one.
- Schedule drain maintenance for your main line to help avoid sewer backups
- Insulate exposed pipes before winter to reduce freezing risks
- Flush your water heater once a year to help remove sediment
- Know where your main shut off valve is so you can act fast during a leak
These small steps go a long way toward protecting your home from avoidable plumbing emergencies.
Don't Wait for the Damage to Get Worse.
Plumbing emergencies rarely stay small. Water spreads, pipes break further and sewer issues can create health hazards in a short amount of time. Schaal Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has served Des Moines long enough to know that early action always makes the difference. When you call us for an emergency, we take it seriously and send a trained plumber who can solve the problem the right way.
For fast emergency plumbing support, reach out to Schaal Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We are here to help you get your home back to normal.






