Water doesn't wait. We're a small, local two-person crew that finds the real problem and fixes it right — straight answers, clear quotes, and clean work.
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Water doesn't wait, and neither should you. A drip under the sink, a toilet that won't quit running, a drain that backs up at the worst possible moment — these things don't get cheaper or smaller by sitting. Wrench & Ram is a small, local two-person crew that handles plumbing repair and installation the way it should be handled: show up, find the real problem, fix it right, and tell you exactly what we did and why.
We're not a call center with a fleet of vans and a sales quota. When you call us, you get the people who actually do the work. That means no bait-and-switch, no mystery line items, and no upselling you on parts you don't need. We give you a straight answer, a clear plan, and an honest assessment — including when a repair makes more sense than a replacement, or when the smart move is to bring in a specialist for something outside our lane.
Tools, Tech, and Trust isn't just a tagline. It's how we run every job: the right tools for the work, modern diagnostics to find the problem fast, and the kind of trust that comes from doing what we said we'd do.
What we handle
Leak Detection & Repair
We track leaks to the source — visible or hidden — and fix them, instead of guessing.
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Leaks are sneaky. Some announce themselves with a puddle; others hide behind a wall or under a slab and quietly run up your water bill and rot out everything they touch. We track down the source instead of guessing — checking supply lines, fittings, valves, and fixtures, and using moisture and pressure checks to pin down where water is actually escaping. Once we know what we're dealing with, we tell you the real scope before we touch anything, then make the repair and confirm it's holding.
- Visible and hidden leak investigation — under sinks, behind toilets, at supply lines and shutoff valves
- Dripping and weeping fittings, corroded connections, and failed seals
- Honest call on repair vs. replace when a fixture or section of pipe is past saving
- Straight talk when a leak points to something bigger — slab leaks or main-line issues — including pulling any permits the repair requires
Faucets, Fixtures, Sinks & Toilets
Faucets, sinks, and toilets repaired or replaced, and new fixtures installed and leak-tested.
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These are the workhorses of your home, and they're also where small problems get ignored until they aren't small anymore. A faucet that drips, a sink that won't drain, a toilet that rocks or runs — we repair what's worth repairing and replace what's worn out. If you're buying a new fixture, we'll install it clean and test it before we leave. If you want a recommendation, we'll point you toward gear that lasts instead of whatever's flashiest.
- Faucet repair and replacement — kitchen, bath, utility
- Sink and basin repair, re-seating, and re-sealing
- Toilet repair: flappers, fill valves, flush mechanisms, wax rings, and rocking/loose bowls
- Full faucet, sink, and toilet replacement with new supply lines and clean connections
- New fixture installation when you've bought your own — done right and leak-tested
Drain Cleaning & Clog Clearing
Clogged or slow drains cleared — with an honest read on whether it's local or a deeper line problem.
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A slow drain is a warning; a fully clogged one is an emergency waiting to happen. We clear clogs in sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets, and we deal with the buildup of grease, hair, soap, and gunk that causes them. We'll also tell you honestly whether what you've got is a simple local clog we can clear, or a sign of a deeper line problem that needs more than a quick pass.
- Kitchen, bath, tub, shower, and toilet drain clearing
- Slow-drain diagnosis — surface clog vs. a line issue further down
- Honest scope: if it's a main-line or sewer-line job beyond a small-crew fix, we'll say so and point you the right way
- Tips to keep drains running so you're not calling us back next month
Pipe Repair & Replacement
Repairs and replacements on accessible pipe — cracks, bad joints, and failed valves.
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Pipes fail — from age, corrosion, freezing, or a fitting that finally let go. We handle accessible pipe repairs and replacements: a cracked or leaking section, a bad joint, a failed valve, or a run that's been patched one too many times. We're upfront about what's a clean fix and what turns into a bigger project, and we won't pretend a band-aid is a cure.
- Repair of leaking, cracked, or corroded sections on accessible runs
- Failed fittings, joints, and shutoff/supply valves
- Replacement of worn pipe runs with proper materials and connections
- Fully licensed, permitted work once we open — plus an honest heads-up if a job like a whole-house re-pipe is bigger than a two-person crew should take on
Water Heaters
No hot water or a leaking tank? We service and replace water heaters, permits included.
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No hot water, not enough hot water, rusty water, popping and rumbling, or a tank that's leaking — these all point back to your water heater. We service and install where it's appropriate for a small crew, and we're honest about when a unit is worth servicing versus when it's time to replace. For installations involving gas or venting, we handle standard water-heater work and pull the required permits, and bring in the right specialist for anything beyond our scope.
- Diagnosis of no-heat, low-heat, and inconsistent hot water
- Service on serviceable issues — thermostats, elements, and basic components where appropriate
- Water heater replacement and installation where it fits a two-person crew's scope
- Straight guidance on repair vs. replace based on age, condition, and cost
- Gas, venting, and connections done to code, with the required permits pulled — and a specialist for anything beyond our scope
Garbage Disposals & Running/Leaking Toilets
Jammed disposals and running or leaking toilets — our two most common calls, fixed for good.
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Two of the most common calls we get, and two of the most satisfying to fix. A disposal that hums, jams, or leaks gets diagnosed and either freed up, repaired, or replaced. A toilet that runs all night or leaks at the base gets the right part — flapper, fill valve, supply line, or wax ring — instead of a guess. Small jobs, done properly, that stop wasting your water and your patience.
- Garbage disposal repair, unjamming, reset, and full replacement
- Running toilets: flapper, fill valve, and flush-mechanism fixes that actually stop the running
- Leaking toilets: base leaks, tank-to-bowl leaks, and supply-line drips
- New disposal and toilet installation, sealed and tested before we go
What We Don't Pretend To Be
We turn down jobs too big for a two-person crew and point you to the right specialist.
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We're a small crew, and we'd rather be honest about scope than overpromise and leave you with a half-finished mess. There are jobs — large re-pipes, sewer-main excavation, and big commercial work — that are more than a two-person crew should take on. When that's the case, we'll pull any permit we can, tell you plainly, and help you get to the right specialist. You'll never pay us to fumble through something we shouldn't be doing.
- We say yes to what we can do well and no to what we shouldn't
- Regulated work done to code and fully permitted — never faked
- Referrals when a job is genuinely outside a two-person crew's lane
How it works
- Call or message usReach out at 515-229-8712 or [email protected]. Tell us what's happening — a photo or short video of the problem helps us show up ready. We serve the Des Moines metro and central Iowa, within about 80 miles, and work Monday–Friday, 7 AM–5 PM.
- We diagnose, then tell you straightWe find the actual source of the problem instead of guessing, then walk you through what's wrong, your options, and the honest call on repair vs. replace. You approve the plan before we start the real work.
- We do the work — cleanWe use the right tools for the job, protect your space, and fix it properly. If we hit something bigger than expected, we stop and talk to you before spending your money.
- We test and confirmBefore we leave, we run it, check for leaks, and make sure it's actually holding. We clean up after ourselves and show you what we did.
- You know what you paid forClear explanation, no mystery line items, and tips to keep the problem from coming back. If a 90-day warranty applies to the work or parts, we'll spell it out up front.
Frequently asked
Do you handle plumbing emergencies?
We take urgent calls seriously — an active leak, a backed-up drain, or no water can't wait. Call 515-229-8712 and we'll tell you honestly when we can get to you. If it's a true emergency that's outside our scope or timing, we'll say so immediately so you're not left waiting.
Are you licensed for plumbing work?
We're getting there — and we won't book plumbing jobs until we are. One of us is completing the master plumber's license Iowa requires and the insurance that comes with it, so every job is done fully licensed, permitted, and covered. That's exactly why plumbing is marked coming soon rather than live. The moment the license and insurance are in hand, this service opens and everything here goes live. Join the waitlist and we'll reach out when it does.
Should I repair or replace my fixture or water heater?
That depends on age, condition, and cost — and we'll give you the honest math, not a sales pitch. Sometimes a cheap part buys you years; sometimes replacing is the smarter spend. We tell you which one we'd choose if it were our house.
Can you install a fixture I bought myself?
Yes. If you've already purchased a faucet, toilet, sink, disposal, or other fixture, we'll install it properly and leak-test it before we leave. If you want a recommendation before you buy, we're happy to point you toward gear that lasts.
What does a plumbing job cost?
It depends on the work, and we won't pretend otherwise. We give you a clear scope and an honest, upfront estimate before we begin — no mystery line items and no surprise upsells.
What areas do you serve and when?
We serve the Des Moines metro and central Iowa — Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, Ames, Indianola — and out to about 80 miles, and work Monday–Friday, 7 AM–5 PM. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is available at double our standard rate. We're a two-person local crew, so call ahead at 515-229-8712 to lock in a time that works for both of us.