JLB Basement Waterproofing & Foundation Repair in Ames
Serving Ames and Story County with 4 specialized foundation and waterproofing services. Local expertise. Permanent solutions. Free inspections.
Solutions That Last the Life of Your Home
Every foundation problem has a permanent fix. We use engineered systems — not quick patches — backed by transferable warranties and decades of field experience.
Foundation Repair
Steel push piers and wall anchors to stabilize and lift settling foundations. Stop the cracks, level the floors, save the home.
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Basement Waterproofing
Interior drainage systems, sump pumps, and vapor barriers to keep your basement permanently dry. No more water. No more worry.
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Crawlspace Encapsulation
Full encapsulation with spray foam for BOTH crawlspace and basement — twice the protection competitors offer, at a lower cost.
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French Drains & Drainage
French drains, extended downspouts, regrading, and drain pipes to redirect water away from your foundation permanently.
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Foundation Wall Replacement
Complete removal and reconstruction of severely damaged foundation walls with new reinforced concrete, drainage, and waterproofing.
Learn MoreWhat Foundation and Waterproofing Services Are Available in Ames?
Ames is a well-established community in Story County with around 70000 residents. The housing stock here reflects steady, multi-decade growth — a mix of foundation types and construction eras, each with its own vulnerabilities to the region's expansive clay soil.
The housing in Ames spans multiple eras: Diverse: 1920s university-area homes, mid-century faculty housing, and rapid north-side expansion post-2000. That range means you'll find concrete block basement, poured concrete basement, crawlspace foundations across different neighborhoods. Basements in Ames are subject to high hydrostatic pressure from the river-fed water table. Aging crawlspaces in older neighborhoods often require encapsulation to protect floor joists from rot.
Located at the confluence of the Skunk River and Squaw Creek; prone to soil saturation. Proximity to water means higher water tables and more hydrostatic pressure on foundations. JLB provides 4 specialized services to Ames homeowners — from foundation stabilization to drainage systems — each designed for the unique soil and moisture conditions here. Every job begins with a free inspection.
Ames at a Glance
Where Does JLB Serve in Ames, IA?
JLB provides foundation repair and waterproofing throughout Ames and the surrounding Story County area. Our crews know every part of this community.
What Foundation Types Are Common in Ames?
The homes in Ames sit on a range of foundation types, each with its own vulnerabilities. Here's what our crews see most often in Story County.
Concrete block basement
Concrete block basements in Ames use hollow-core masonry that's inherently weaker than poured concrete under lateral loads. The expansive clay in Story County presses against these walls every wet season, and over time the cumulative stress shows up as cracking, bowing, or step-pattern fractures.
Poured concrete basement
Poured concrete basements throughout Ames are strong, but they're in a tough spot — Story County's clay soil and the area's high water table create persistent hydrostatic pressure. Cracks that start as hairline fractures become active water channels once the soil is fully saturated during spring thaw.
Crawlspace
Crawlspace foundations in Ames trap moisture from Story County's clay soil, creating an environment where mold, wood rot, and structural sagging thrive. Full encapsulation with spray foam and vapor barriers is the permanent solution — and JLB seals both the crawlspace and the basement for twice the protection.
What Warning Signs Should Ames Homeowners Watch For?
Catching foundation and waterproofing problems early saves thousands of dollars in repairs. If you see any of these in your Ames home, it's time to call for a free inspection.
Stair-step or horizontal cracks in Ames's block basement walls — a sign of lateral clay pressure pushing inward
Learn about Foundation Repair →Water wicking through hollow-core block walls or seeping at the floor-wall joint — Ames's block basements are prime targets when Story County's soil becomes saturated
Learn about Waterproofing →Musty odors, mold, or sagging floors above crawlspaces — in Ames's low-lying areas, ground moisture rises into the crawlspace and affects the entire home
Learn about Crawlspace Encapsulation →Doors, windows, or cabinets that stick, jam, or don't close properly — a common sign of foundation movement in Ames homes
Learn about Foundation Repair →Who Is the JLB Team Serving Des Moines?
Numbers That Speak for Themselves
Cracks in Your Ames Basement Walls?
The concrete block foundations common in Ames develop predictable crack patterns under years of clay pressure. A free inspection from JLB identifies the cause and gives you a clear plan — before the cracks become a structural issue.
Not Sure What You're Dealing With?
Click any symptom below to learn what it means, what's likely causing it, and how we can help. Most of these are more common — and more fixable — than you'd think.
Diagonal, stair-step, or horizontal cracks in drywall, plaster, or brick usually trace back to soil movement beneath your foundation. The heavy clay soils in the Kansas City and Des Moines metros expand and contract seasonally, which can shift your foundation over time. The good news: this is very fixable with the right approach.
Water entering through floor joints, wall cracks, or seeping through porous concrete means groundwater pressure is pushing moisture into your basement. An interior drainage system and sump pump can solve this permanently — and we can usually have it done in a day or two.
When a foundation settles unevenly, it can shift your home's frame just enough to make doors and windows bind. This is one of the earlier signs of foundation movement — and catching it early often means a simpler, less expensive repair.
That musty smell is moisture. Up to 40% of the air in your home rises from below — from your crawlspace and basement. If there's excess humidity down there, it affects your whole home. Encapsulation seals it out, and you'll notice the difference in your air quality right away.
Floors that slope toward the center or an exterior wall usually mean the support structure underneath needs attention. Push piers can stabilize your foundation and often lift it back to level — giving your floors a second life.
When soil washes out or compacts beneath a concrete slab, the slab drops and becomes uneven. Polyjacking uses expanding polyurethane foam to fill the void and lift the concrete back to grade — usually in under a day, with no heavy equipment needed.
Water collecting near your foundation means your grading or drainage isn't directing water away effectively. French drains, regrading, extended downspouts, and drain pipes can redirect water away from the house — protecting your foundation for the long haul.
A basement wall that has bowed more than 2 inches inward, shifted off its footing, or shows multiple structural cracks may have moved beyond what bracing can fix. When carbon fiber straps, I-beams, or wall anchors are not enough, the wall needs to be removed and rebuilt with reinforced concrete. This is the last resort — but it is the permanent fix when the wall itself is compromised.
Why Do Ames Homeowners Choose JLB?
Iowa Licensed & Story County Experienced
We're fully licensed in Iowa and experienced with Story County's building requirements. Permit applications, structural inspections, code compliance — we handle the process so you don't have to learn it.
Local to Ames
Our Des Moines area crews work in Ames regularly. We know the neighborhoods, the soil variations across town, and the foundation types in each area. When we show up, it's not our first time in Story County.
Concrete block Experience
Ames's concrete block foundations require specific repair techniques that differ from modern poured concrete. Our crews are trained in wall stabilization, pier installation, and masonry-specific methods designed for these older construction types.
Financing Options Available
Foundation problems only get more expensive the longer they go unaddressed. We offer flexible payment plans so Ames homeowners can act on the problem now — before another season of soil movement makes the repair larger and costlier.
What Ames ZIP Codes Does JLB Serve?
What Our Customers Say
"We had cracks running up our walls and doors that wouldn't close. JLB came out, explained exactly what was happening with the soil under our house, and had the piers installed in two days. Floors are level again. Wish we hadn't waited so long."
"Three other companies gave us the runaround. JLB showed up, did a thorough inspection, and gave us a straight answer. The repair held up through an entire Missouri winter with zero new cracking."
"Our crawlspace was a mess — moisture, mold, the works. JLB encapsulated it AND spray-foamed our basement in the same project. The difference in our home's air quality is incredible. Great value for the price."
Real Team. Real Work.
Right Here in Kansas City & Des Moines.
Real Projects. Real Results.
Every photo is from an actual JLB job site — not a stock photo. See the work we do every day across Kansas City and Des Moines.
Foundation Repair in Ames — FAQ
The most common issues we see in Ames are wall cracks (stair-step and horizontal patterns in block walls), basement water intrusion, uneven or settling floors, and doors or windows that stick. Basements in Ames are subject to high hydrostatic pressure from the river-fed water table. Aging crawlspaces in older neighborhoods often require encapsulation to protect floor joists from rot. All of these trace back to how Story County's expansive clay interacts with the specific foundation types in your neighborhood.
Foundation problems in Ames correlate with housing age and foundation type more than specific neighborhoods. Areas with Diverse: 1920s university-area homes, mid-century faculty housing, and rapid north-side expansion post-2000. housing tend to have the most issues because those foundations have endured decades of Story County's clay pressure. That said, Story County's soil affects the entire city — we've done work in virtually every part of Ames.
Yes. Located at the confluence of the Skunk River and Squaw Creek; prone to soil saturation. Higher water tables mean more persistent hydrostatic pressure against basement walls, and clay soil near waterways stays saturated longer. Ames homes in low-lying areas or near creeks often face more severe waterproofing challenges than homes on higher ground.
Foundation repair costs in Ames vary widely based on the scope of damage and the solution needed. Minor crack repairs may cost $500-$2,000. Pier installation for settling foundations typically ranges from $5,000-$15,000. Full waterproofing systems run $3,000-$12,000. We provide free inspections with detailed, written estimates — no surprises and no pressure.
JLB provides 4 services to Ames homeowners: foundation repair (push piers, wall anchors, carbon fiber), basement waterproofing (interior drainage, sump pumps, crack injection), crawlspace encapsulation (spray foam + vapor barriers for both crawlspace and basement), and French drain installation with grading and downspout work. Every service starts with a free inspection.
A JLB technician visits your Ames home and examines the foundation inside and out — checking for cracks, wall movement, floor levelness, moisture, and drainage. For concrete block basement foundations common in Story County, we look for the specific failure patterns associated with that construction type. The inspection takes about 45 minutes and ends with a clear explanation of what we found, what (if anything) needs repair, and exactly what it costs. There's no obligation.
Get Your Ames Block Foundation Checked
Block foundations in Ames develop predictable problems under Story County's clay pressure. Fill out the form for a free inspection — we'll check for bowing, cracking, and water intrusion, then give you a clear plan.
Get Your Free Inspection
Takes 30 seconds. We'll call within 24 hours.
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Our Locations
We're always close enough to help — our crews are local to your area.
JLB Basement Waterproofing & Foundation Repair — Des Moines
97 Indiana Ave Suite #1Des Moines, IA50314(515) 444-9234 View on Google Maps
Stop the Damage. Get Answers Today.
A free inspection takes 45 minutes and tells you exactly what's going on under your house — and exactly what it takes to fix it.