On Pleasant Hill's modern hillsides that slope toward the Des Moines River, runoff erodes downslope soil and stresses even newer homes — so JLB delivers foundation repair and basement waterproofing across this Polk County suburb.
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 Pleasant Hill 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.
On Pleasant Hill's slopes east of the Des Moines River, runoff steadily erodes the soil holding up downslope foundation walls, so even homes built after 1980 develop uneven settlement and stair-step cracking. JLB stabilizes these poured concrete basements with helical and push piers driven to load-bearing strata, then anchors any wall that has started to lean back toward plumb.
How we do it: foundation repair at JLB.
Water chases the grade downhill here, and on lots that fall toward the river it collects against the low side of the basement before finding its way through cold joints and cracks. We tackle it from inside: an interior drain tile loop feeding a sump basin, sealed cracks, and a pump sized to keep up with the heavy clay's slow release after a Polk County thaw.
How we do it: basement waterproofing at JLB.
Pleasant Hill's wooded ravines near Copper Creek Lake hold humidity that creeps into crawlspaces and rises through the house all summer. Rather than treating one zone, JLB spray foams both the crawlspace and the basement, sealing the entire below-grade envelope so damp Iowa air and ground moisture stay out for far less than competitors charge to do half the job.
How we do it: crawlspace encapsulation at JLB.
Because the terrain drops sharply toward the Des Moines River, stormwater barrels across yards along US-65 and University Avenue and pools where the slope flattens near a foundation. Our crews regrade those low spots, extend downspouts well past the footprint, and trench French drains that intercept ground and surface water before it reaches the wall.
How we do it: french drains & drainage at JLB.
When a Pleasant Hill basement wall has bowed past the point that anchors can safely hold, downslope soil pressure usually deserves the blame. JLB removes the failed section and rebuilds it in steel-reinforced poured concrete, with footings set below the 42-inch frost line so roughly a hundred winter freeze-thaw swings in this Des Moines Lobe ground can no longer heave it.
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.
Pleasant Hill's growth pattern — Modern suburban community with over 60% of housing built after 1980. — shaped the foundation types you'll find throughout the city. Poured concrete basement are the most common, built during an era when construction prioritized speed and affordability. While foundations are newer here, the steep grades can lead to settlement issues as runoff erodes the supporting soil on downslope sides. That's why many homes eventually need pier systems rated for your home's specific load.
Directly east of Des Moines; hilly terrain that drops toward the Des Moines River. Proximity to water means higher water tables and more hydrostatic pressure on foundations — making capture water before it damages your basement 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
Postwar construction methods prioritized speed — and the foundations show it after decades of Polk County's clay pressure. Cracks, bowing walls, and wet basements are all signs it's time for a professional assessment. Our inspections are free.
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 Pleasant Hill 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 Pleasant Hill home and examines the foundation inside and out — checking for cracks, wall movement, floor levelness, moisture, and drainage. For poured concrete basement 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.
The foundations in Pleasant Hill's postwar-era homes have decades of soil pressure behind them. Fill out the form for a free estimate — we'll evaluate the damage and explain your options clearly.
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.
