JLB Basement Waterproofing & Foundation Repair in Des Moines
Serving Des Moines and Polk 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 Des Moines?
Des Moines is one of the Des Moines metro's largest communities, with nearly 213000 residents and a housing stock that tells the story of decades of growth. The stone and limestone foundations common in older neighborhoods have been fighting Polk County's clay soil for generations — and that fight leaves marks.
The housing stock in Des Moines dates primarily to the Historic 1880s-1920s in Sherman Hill and Drake. Most homes sit on stone foundation and concrete block basement and poured concrete basement foundations — construction methods that were standard for the era but weren't designed to handle the soil movement we now understand. The urban core features a massive stock of aging brick and stone foundations that are porous. The high water table near the river confluence makes interior drainage and sump pump reliability the primary financial safeguard for homeowners.
Confluence of Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers; high water table and glacial till soil compositions. Proximity to water means higher water tables and more hydrostatic pressure on foundations. JLB provides 4 specialized services to Des Moines homeowners — from foundation stabilization to drainage systems — each designed for the unique soil and moisture conditions here. Every job begins with a free inspection.
Des Moines at a Glance
Where Does JLB Serve in Des Moines, IA?
JLB provides foundation repair and waterproofing throughout Des Moines and the surrounding Polk County area. Our crews know every part of this community.
What Foundation Types Are Common in Des Moines?
The homes in Des Moines sit on a range of foundation types, each with its own vulnerabilities. Here's what our crews see most often in Polk County.
Stone foundation
Des Moines's oldest homes often sit on limestone or stone foundations — hand-laid masonry that predates modern engineering. These walls are porous, the mortar is lime-based, and decades of Polk County's clay pressure have taken a toll. Water intrusion, mortar deterioration, and inward leaning are common.
Concrete block basement
Concrete block foundations are common in Des Moines's pre-1950s homes. After decades of lateral pressure from expanding clay, the mortar joints weaken and walls begin to bow inward. Horizontal cracks near the midpoint of the wall are the classic warning sign — and they need professional attention before the wall fails.
Poured concrete basement
Poured concrete basements throughout Des Moines are strong, but they're in a tough spot — Polk 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.
What Warning Signs Should Des Moines Homeowners Watch For?
Catching foundation and waterproofing problems early saves thousands of dollars in repairs. If you see any of these in your Des Moines home, it's time to call for a free inspection.
Cracks along mortar joints in Des Moines's older stone foundations, where decades of soil movement have weakened the original masonry
Learn about Foundation Repair →Water seeping through porous stone walls or mortar joints — common in Des Moines's older homes during spring rains and snowmelt
Learn about Waterproofing →Musty smells, mold, or sagging floors above the crawlspace — Des Moines's older homes often have unsealed crawlspaces that trap moisture year-round
Learn about Crawlspace Encapsulation →Doors and windows that stick or no longer close squarely — in Des Moines's older homes, this is usually structural movement, not normal settling
Learn about Foundation Repair →Who Is the JLB Team Serving Des Moines?
Numbers That Speak for Themselves
Des Moines's Older Homes Deserve a Professional Eye
Foundations built before the 1950s have been absorbing soil pressure for over 70 years. If your Des Moines home is showing cracks, sticking doors, or basement moisture, a free inspection tells you exactly what's going on — before it gets expensive.
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 Des Moines Homeowners Choose JLB?
Iowa Licensed & Polk County Experienced
We're fully licensed in Iowa and experienced with Polk County's building requirements. Permit applications, structural inspections, code compliance — we handle the process so you don't have to learn it.
Fast Response Across Des Moines
With offices throughout the Des Moines metro, our crews reach every corner of Des Moines quickly. For a community of nearly 213000 residents, responsiveness matters — and we're typically on-site for inspections within a few days of your call.
Stone and limestone Experience
Des Moines's stone and limestone 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 for Major Repairs
Older Des Moines homes sometimes need more extensive work than newer builds. Our financing options are designed to make those bigger projects manageable — so you can get the full repair done now instead of settling for a temporary patch.
What Des Moines ZIP Codes Does JLB Serve?
Which Neighborhoods Does JLB Serve in Des Moines?
Des Moines's established neighborhoods feature older homes with unique foundation characteristics. We know the construction methods, the common failure patterns, and the soil conditions in each area.
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 Des Moines — FAQ
The most common issues we see in Des Moines are wall cracks (mortar deterioration and inward leaning in stone walls), basement water intrusion, uneven or settling floors, and doors or windows that stick. The urban core features a massive stock of aging brick and stone foundations that are porous. The high water table near the river confluence makes interior drainage and sump pump reliability the primary financial safeguard for homeowners. All of these trace back to how Polk County's expansive clay interacts with the specific foundation types in your neighborhood.
Many of Des Moines's homes date to the Historic 1880s-1920s in Sherman Hill and Drake and sit on stone and limestone foundations. These older construction methods are more susceptible to Polk County's clay pressure than modern poured concrete. However, they're absolutely worth repairing — modern engineering solutions like push piers, wall anchors, and carbon fiber reinforcement can stabilize and extend the life of these foundations for decades.
Yes. Confluence of Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers; high water table and glacial till soil compositions. Higher water tables mean more persistent hydrostatic pressure against basement walls, and clay soil near waterways stays saturated longer. Des Moines homes in low-lying areas or near creeks often face more severe waterproofing challenges than homes on higher ground.
Foundation repair costs in Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines home and examines the foundation inside and out — checking for cracks, wall movement, floor levelness, moisture, and drainage. For stone foundation foundations common in Polk 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.
Protect Your Des Moines Home's Foundation
Des Moines's older stone foundations need specialized attention. Fill out the form and a foundation specialist will contact you within 24 hours to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection.
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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.