Where the Iowa River saturates the soil under Marshalltown's mid-century block-and-stone homes and its tornado-rebuilt historic core, JLB delivers expert foundation repair and basement waterproofing throughout Marshall County.
Get a precise analysis of your foundation and waterproofing situation, and a clear estimate on what any fixes or corrections might cost.
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JLB Foundation Repair is a local company — not a franchise. We serve Marshalltown and the surrounding Des Moines metro with foundation repair, waterproofing, crawlspace encapsulation, and drainage solutions. Watch to learn who we are and how we work.
In Marshalltown's central neighborhoods, the 1940s-60s block-and-stone basements that survived the 2018 tornado are the ones most prone to the stair-step cracks that signal settlement. Sitting on the Iowan Surface near the Iowa River, these homes shift as saturated ground loosens its grip, so JLB stabilizes them with steel push piers and wall anchors that lock the structure back to load-bearing soil.
How we do it: foundation repair at JLB.
Few things test a basement like Marshalltown's spot along the Iowa River, where flat floodplain lots keep the soil saturated and groundwater pressing against block walls. JLB answers that with a full interior approach: drainage tile routed to a sump basin, plus crack injection that seals the seepage paths common in the city's older poured and block foundations before water reaches the floor.
How we do it: basement waterproofing at JLB.
Marshalltown's river-valley humidity loves an open crawl space, pulling damp air up through floors and feeding mold in homes built generations ago. Rather than treating one level, JLB spray-foams both the crawl space and the basement, sealing the entire underside of the house so moisture, musty air, and energy loss are shut out together for less than competitors charge to address just one.
How we do it: crawlspace encapsulation at JLB.
Because so much of Marshalltown sits on flat floodplain ground between the Iowa River and the gentle uplands, rainwater tends to pool and creep toward foundations instead of draining off. JLB reshapes that picture with regraded yards, buried French drains, and extended downspouts that carry surface and groundwater well past the home, easing the saturation that drives basement leaks.
How we do it: french drains & drainage at JLB.
When a Marshalltown wall has bowed past repair, often an aging stone or block basement worked loose by years of freeze-thaw and river-driven moisture, patching is no longer enough. JLB excavates and rebuilds it from scratch in steel-reinforced poured concrete, with footings set below the central-Iowa frost line so the new wall resists the lateral pressure that broke the original.
How we do it: foundation wall replacement at JLB.
Two Ways to Pay Over Time
12 Months Same As Cash
Pay the full balance within 12 months and you pay no interest.
5 Years at 6.99% APR
A lower monthly payment, spread over 60 months.
On approved credit. Ask for full terms at your free estimate.
Most of Marshalltown's housing is relatively recent: Predominantly 1940s-60s residential stock with a significant historic core that survived or was rebuilt post-2018 tornado.. The dominant foundation types are concrete block basement and stone foundation and poured concrete basement, which are stronger than older methods but still vulnerable to Marshall County's soil. Marshalltown's proximity to the Iowa River leads to high soil saturation. Fluctuating temperatures and heavy rainfall create 'stair-step' cracks in the older block foundations common in the central neighborhoods. Even newer homes may need piers driven to stable ground below.
Located along the Iowa River; characterized by flat floodplains and gentle uplands. Proximity to water means higher water tables and more hydrostatic pressure on foundations — making systems that keep pace with heavy rainfall events essential for many homes.
What each warning sign means and how we fix it: foundation repair, waterproofing, and crawlspace encapsulation.
Numbers That Speak for Themselves
Modern construction doesn't make your home immune to Marshall County's clay soil. Settling, cracking, and water intrusion affect homes of all ages. If you're seeing the signs, our free estimate will give you clarity — and honest pricing if anything needs fixing.
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.
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.
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 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.
Two Ways to Pay for It
12 Months Same As Cash
Pay the full balance within 12 months and you pay no interest.
Best if you can pay it off within a year.
5 Years at 6.99% APR
A lower monthly payment, spread over 60 months.
Best for bigger projects.
On approved credit. Ask for full terms at your free estimate.
Foundation repair costs in Marshalltown 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 estimates with detailed, written estimates — no surprises and no pressure.
A JLB technician visits your Marshalltown 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 Marshall 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.
Even newer Marshalltown homes are affected by Marshall County's clay soil. Fill out the form for a free estimate — we'll assess your foundation, identify any issues, and give you honest pricing if anything needs fixing.
Our Locations
We're always close enough to help — our crews are local to your area.
Stop the Damage. Get Answers Today.
A free estimate takes 45 minutes and tells you exactly what's going on under your house — and exactly what it takes to fix it.
