Provider profile
PuroClean of Des Moines - Central
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Ankeny and north Des Moines homeowners dealing with basement water damage or post-flood mold concerns who want a locally owned franchise with 24/7 emergency response and insurance coordination.
Best for
- Ankeny, Polk City, or north Des Moines homeowners who need emergency water extraction after a basement flood or pipe burst.
- Homeowners with post-water-damage mold concerns who want a single company to handle both dryout and remediation, but who will arrange independent post-remediation testing.
- Property owners who need weekend or holiday emergency response from a company where the owner answers the phone directly.
- Real estate agents and insurance adjusters in central Iowa looking for a restoration partner who handles documentation and works with carriers on claims.
- Anyone needing dryer vent or duct cleaning from a company that also handles the water and mold problems those issues can cause.
About this company
PuroClean of Des Moines - Central is a PuroClean franchise based in Ankeny, Iowa, co-owned by John Alessio and Shawn Kelly. Both grew up in Des Moines. John brings fifteen years running a carpet cleaning and janitorial business plus a stint as general manager at a restoration company. Shawn oversees day-to-day operations, job sites, and equipment. They hold IICRC certification and EPA Lead-Safe certification.
The company runs water damage mitigation, mold remediation, fire and smoke restoration, biohazard cleanup, and reconstruction. They also handle dryer vent cleaning, duct cleaning, and carpet cleaning. Their mold process includes containment with polyethylene sheeting, negative pressure using HEPA-filtered fans, HEPA vacuuming, and dehumidification. They use thermal imaging and moisture meters to find hidden moisture. They work with indoor environmental professionals and third-party labs for mold assessment.
John and Shawn started this franchise together in Des Moines. John holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business from William Penn University and previously spent four years as a service officer helping veterans file federal claims. Several reviews mention John answering emergency calls at 9 PM on weekends and holidays, which lines up with the franchise's 24/7 availability claim.
At 4.7 stars across 39 Google reviews, the rating is solid but not exceptional. The three negative reviews all involve mold work specifically, which is worth noting for anyone seeking mold remediation versus their water damage services where satisfaction runs uniformly high.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, at 201 SE Shurfine Drive. They list service areas including Alleman, Ames, Ankeny, Berwick, Des Moines, Elkhart, Huxley, Kelley, Polk City, Saylorville, Sheldahl, and Slater. This covers much of the northern Des Moines metro and extends about 35 miles north to Ames in Story County.
Review consensus
John Alessio gets the most mentions by name. Reviewers describe him answering calls at 9 PM on Sunday evenings, arriving within hours for emergencies, and sharing video walkthroughs of work completed. Daniel Lizarde draws praise for same-day response, professionalism, and water damage cleanup. Tim is mentioned alongside John for dryer vent cleaning work and daily moisture checks during drying projects. Shawn Kelly is praised for duct cleaning and overall communication. Multiple reviewers highlight honest estimates: one reviewer noted the company told them their issue was self-fixable rather than selling unnecessary work. Several reviews mention the team wearing booties to protect flooring and leaving homes spotless after work.
3 found across 39 total reviews at 4.7★. 3 found across 39 total reviews at 4.7 stars. Two reviews describe failed mold remediation in basements. Mercedes Macias (January 2026) said further testing showed the company had elevated mold counts rather than reducing them, and called the price hefty for incorrect work. Jevin Krier (December 2025) wrote the most detailed complaint: a mold remediation for a family with a toddler and pregnant wife, where the worker suggested skipping post-remediation air quality testing to save money. An independent inspector later found visible mold remaining and elevated counts. When PuroClean returned, Krier says they spent 30 minutes without setting up containment, and a follow-up air test showed even higher counts. The company refused a refund, citing their internal standards, though they had not run their own post-remediation testing. Krier also described one employee as dismissive to his wife on the phone. Joshua Haldeman (October 2025) contacted PuroClean for a water damage quote. They came the next day and photographed his entire house, said the quote would take 2-3 days, then never responded despite multiple follow-ups over two weeks. The owner replied three weeks later apologizing and asking Haldeman to call.
The split between water damage praise and mold remediation complaints is sharp. All 36 positive reviews involve water damage, fire restoration, cleaning, or general interactions. Both detailed negative reviews involve mold remediation specifically. This suggests a possible competency gap: the team handles water emergencies well but may lack the precision mold remediation demands. The company's reluctance to run post-remediation air quality testing, described independently by two different reviewers, is a structural concern.
John Alessio (co-owner -- praised repeatedly for emergency responsiveness, honest estimates, and hands-on work). Shawn Kelly (co-owner -- praised for duct cleaning, communication, and professionalism). Daniel Lizarde (technician -- praised for same-day response, professionalism, water damage work, and mold help). Tim (technician -- praised for moisture monitoring, dryer vent cleaning, and mold remediation work alongside John and O.J.). O.J. (technician -- praised for mold work, described as friendly).
For water damage emergencies, this crew delivers fast, owner-level attention that larger companies often lack. Ask for John or Daniel by name. For mold remediation, proceed with caution: insist on independent post-remediation air quality testing by a third-party inspector, and get written confirmation of what containment measures will be used before work begins.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation, which creates a conflict of interest. A company that finds the mold and fixes it has a financial incentive in both directions. Get an independent mold inspector to verify results after any remediation work.
- Two of the three negative reviews specifically describe failed mold remediation where post-treatment testing by independent inspectors found elevated counts. One reviewer reported the company did not run its own post-remediation air quality testing. Their water damage work draws no complaints, but their mold remediation track record has recent blemishes.
- One reviewer reported no response to a quote request for almost two weeks after an in-home inspection and photos. The owner acknowledged this in a reply. If you request a quote, set a follow-up date and hold them to it.
- Their listed service area stretches from Ames (about 35 miles north of Ankeny) to Des Moines and surrounding small towns. Confirm response times for locations at the edges of this range.
- The owner response rate on negative reviews is 33%, with only one of three recent complaints receiving a reply. That reply acknowledged the problem but directed the customer to call rather than offering a specific resolution.