Des Moines Homeowners Could Get Up to $1,500 for These Home Improvements

If you own a home in the City of Des Moines, there’s a program you may want to know about, especially if your home has experienced water or sewer issues.

The City of Des Moines offers a Private Property Protection Program that can reimburse eligible homeowners for certain improvements designed to protect their property and help reduce unwanted water entering the sanitary sewer system.

And the potential benefit is pretty significant:

The City can reimburse 100% of qualifying costs, up to $1,500 per property.

So, what qualifies?

What Improvements Are Covered?

The program currently covers three types of improvements:

1. Installing a Backwater Valve

A backwater valve can help prevent sewage from flowing backward through your home’s sewer line during certain sewer system conditions.

If you’re considering having one installed, this program may help offset the cost.

2. Disconnecting Roof Leaders From the Sanitary Sewer

Roof leaders are part of your home’s drainage system and can carry rainwater away from your roof.

The program can help cover the cost of disconnecting roof leaders from the sanitary sewer service, helping keep stormwater out of the sanitary sewer system.

3. Redirecting a Sump Pump

The program can also cover the new installation or redirection of a sump pump so that water from foundation drains and area drains is discharged somewhere other than the sanitary sewer.

Examples of acceptable outlets can include a rain garden, storm sewer, or the ground surface, depending on the circumstances of the property.

Who Is Eligible?

There are a few important requirements.

First, the property must be located within the City of Des Moines and have an account being billed for sanitary sewer service.

The qualifying work also needs to be performed by a licensed plumber under a City plumbing permit.

And here’s probably the most important part:

You Need to Get Approved Before the Work Starts.

This isn’t a situation where you can complete the work and then ask the City to reimburse you afterward.

According to the City, homeowners must submit an application with an itemized estimate and description of the proposed project. The City then reviews the application and issues a pre-approval letter for qualifying work.

Only after receiving that pre-approval should the work begin.

Once the work is completed, you’ll need to provide additional documentation, including an itemized invoice and proof of payment, along with other required information.

How Long is the Program Available?

The City currently says qualifying work must be completed before June 30, 2028.

However, funding is limited, and eligible applications are handled according to the program’s requirements and available funding.

So if you’ve been considering one of these improvements, it probably makes sense to look into the program sooner rather than later.

Why Should Homeowners Pay Attention?

As a Realtor, I spend a lot of time talking about the big things that affect a home’s value—kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, curb appeal, and all the other improvements homeowners tend to think about.

But some of the most important improvements aren’t necessarily the most exciting. Protecting your home from water and sewer problems is one of those things.

A backwater valve isn’t exactly the kind of upgrade you’re going to show off at your next dinner party. But if it helps protect your home from a serious plumbing or sewer issue, it can be a pretty valuable improvement.

And if the City is willing to help cover some of the cost, it’s definitely worth knowing about.

Thinking About Making Improvements to Your Des Moines Home?

If you own a home in Des Moines and you’re considering one of these improvements, I’d recommend starting with the City’s program requirements and talking with a qualified, licensed plumber about your property.

The City of Des Moines has the application and full program requirements available on its website.

And remember: get your application approved before starting the work.

Programs like this are exactly why I think being a homeowner is about more than simply knowing what your house is worth.

It’s also about knowing what resources are available to help you protect and maintain it.

I’ll keep sharing programs, market updates, homeowner tips, and other things happening around the Des Moines metro that I think homeowners and future homeowners should know about.

Cody Voga—Your Friend in Real Estate.
515-720-1714
cody@c21sre.com
@CodyVogaRealtor

Cody Voga