Story County · Ames, IA
Plumbers in Ames, IA
Ames is in Story County, Iowa. About 65,000 people live in the 2 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 30,000 homes, 43% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built in 2000 or later (35%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 2 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Ames
50010, 50014
Ames homes and their plumbing
Here is how Ames's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 10%, 1940–1959 10%, 1960–1979 21%, 1980–1999 24%, 2000 or later 35%. With so much newer construction, the plumbing itself is usually sound, and most calls are about water heaters, fixtures, pressure and clogs. Neighboring areas such as Ankeny are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 10% |
| 1940–1959 | 10% |
| 1960–1979 | 21% |
| 1980–1999 | 24% |
| 2000 or later | 35% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 64,857
- Housing units
- 29,592
- Single-family detached
- 43%
- Owner-occupied
- 46%
- Heated with utility gas
- 63%
- Heated with electricity
- 32%
- Heated with propane
- 4%
What goes wrong in Ames homes
Natural gas in most homes
63% of occupied homes here heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters, ranges and dryers are common. That means gas line extensions for new appliances, flexible connector replacements and venting checks when a water heater is swapped. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility from outside. See gas line repair.
Newer homes on their first water heater
35% of homes here were built in 2000 or later. Those houses usually have PEX or CPVC supply lines in good shape, so the work is on equipment: original tank water heaters past their 8 to 12 year service life, expansion tanks, pressure regulators and fixtures. See water heater replacement.
Long, hard winters
41% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Iowa winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Hard water
Iowa water is generally hard. With 63% of homes here on gas, scale settles as sediment in gas water heater tanks, which then rumble and wear out early, and newer homes with tankless heaters need yearly descaling. See water softener installation.
Common calls in Ames
- Gas Line Repair
- Water Heater Replacement
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair in Ames, IA
- Water Softener Installation
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Ames: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Ames at a glance
- County
- Story County
- Nearest city pages
- Ankeny
- ZIP codes
- 50010, 50014
Ames plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Ames?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Ames, Census estimates put 20% of homes as built before 1960, 21% from 1960 to 1979, 24% from 1980 to 1999 and 35% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 2000 or later (35%).
Who licenses plumbers in Ames, IA?
Iowa's Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board licenses plumbers statewide.
Are water heaters in Ames usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 63% of homes heating with utility gas, 32% with electricity and 4% with propane. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
I rent in Ames. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 54% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Iowa landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Ames homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Collins (18 mi), Zearing (19 mi), Rhodes (23 mi), Bondurant (24 mi), Clemons (25 mi), Hubbard (25 mi), Mingo (25 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Ames, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Ames?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.