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Tiffin had 1,947 people in 2010 and 4,512 in 2020. That's more than double in ten years, and the building hasn't slowed down. A-1 Sewer Service clears drains, installs water heaters and does plumbing work for Tiffin homeowners, in the old part of town and in the subdivisions that came after. Our shop is off Bay Ridge Ave on the south side of Iowa City, about 15 minutes from Tiffin. Call (319) 600-4224 or fill out the contact form.
Tiffin was platted in 1867 and incorporated in 1906. For most of that time it was a small place along Highway 6 with a few streets of houses. The center of town still looks like that. Everything around it is new: schools for the Clear Creek Amana district, new streets, and businesses near the I-380 interchanges.
The two parts of town call for different kinds of plumbing work. Older houses in the center have older lines, and we handle them like we'd handle any older house. Newer subdivisions have the problems that come with fast building, which are usually small and easy to fix if you catch them early.
The median age in Tiffin is just under 32, and about three in ten residents are under 20. That's a lot of kids. In a house like that, hot water runs out. Somebody takes a long shower, the dishwasher starts, and the laundry is going, and by the third use the tank is empty and you're waiting.
A tankless water heater heats water on demand, so it doesn't run out the way a tank does. We install both types in Tiffin. Before we recommend one, we check your gas line, the venting, and how much room you have. If you're building, tell your builder early. It's easier to run the venting and gas before the drywall goes up, and it's a lot more work afterward. The water heater installation page covers what an install involves.
A lot of Tiffin's new subdivisions were cornfields a few years ago. The soil around a new foundation is backfill, and it takes a few wet seasons to settle. During that time, water follows the loose soil down along the wall and into the basement. That's why we see seepage in houses that were dry the first year.
Three things help most: a working sump pump, a yard that slopes away from the house, and downspouts that empty well out from the wall. We install and replace pumps, extend downspouts, and bury drain lines when the yard needs it. If your basement is unfinished, now is the time to fix this. If it's finished, it's more urgent, since carpet and drywall are expensive to redo. If you aren't sure the pump works, ask us to test it.
Construction debris is the most common reason a new house has a clog. It's drywall dust, wood shavings and small scraps that got into the lines during the build and are still working their way along. A main that's never been flushed can catch all of it at one bend. We clear the line and tell you what came out.
Fixtures are the other source of calls. Builders pick them for price. A year or three in, the kitchen faucet drips, the toilet runs on, or the shower valve gets stiff. We install faucets, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, and repair leaks. The plumber page lists what we do. If you want to know what a drain cleaning visit looks like, the drain cleaning page explains it.
Tiffin sits on the western edge of Johnson County, a few minutes from F. W. Kent Park, which has a lake, trails and a campground. Most people here commute along Highway 6 or I-380 and keep full schedules. We try to keep plumbing out of the way. You tell us what's wrong, we tell you what we think it will take, and we get it done without making you take a day off for it.
We also work in Coralville, North Liberty and Iowa City, and we go out to the Amana Colonies. A few finished jobs are on the projects page.
Finished work from across Eastern Iowa. Drag the slider to compare.
“Fantastic service! Called, told him the bottom of my water heater is leaking, sent him pics of everything and he was out the next day replacing it at a reasonable price! Highly recommend 👌 Thank you!”
“10 Stars if I could. Coming from someone who builds systems and processes for a 9 figure company, Andy does it all right and keeps it simple. Easy to find in search, stands out in reviews, easy to see why. Answered the phone 8am first try, flexible to when I needed, arrived within hours of first contact. Followups easy in text. Got pertinent info, walked the house, got to work, fixed it and another issue after quick run to store for parts. More than reasonable price. In my phone for next time if I ever need it! Thanks Andy!”
“I’ve had a recurring issue for years with my floor drain backing up. Andy at A1 Sewer Services was the first one to do a more thorough inspection rather than just clearing out the line. He also discovered a crack in my clean out which I had him repair to prevent worse issues down the road. I highly recommend A1 for sewer and drain issues.”
Sometimes, yes. Debris from the build and quick installs cause clogs within the first few years. A cleaning now is cheaper than a backup later.
Before the old one fails, and before you finish a basement or close walls. It's cheaper to plan the gas and venting early.
Yes, it's part of our regular area. Call (319) 600-4224 and we'll set a time.
About 15 minutes, along Highway 6 or I-380. That's close enough that we can usually fit Tiffin jobs into a normal day, and we'll tell you the arrival window when you call.
If you've got a clog, a damp basement or a water heater that can't keep up, call A-1 Sewer Service at (319) 600-4224. You can also send a message through the contact page.
Drain cleaning and plumbing from our shop off Bay Ridge Ave on the south side of Iowa City.