Anchored by Iowa State University and the South Skunk River corridor, Story County homes face the same Des Moines Lobe clay that demands serious foundation repair and basement waterproofing. JLB brings all three under one roof for property owners from Nevada to the county's smallest towns.
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In a county shaped by ISU's research-and-growth engine and the seasonal swings of central Iowa clay, JLB delivers foundation repair and basement waterproofing tailored to local soils and housing stock. We serve the county seat of Nevada along with the surrounding small towns of Colo, Cambridge, Collins, and Kelley, where older farmhouses and newer subdivisions alike sit on the moisture-sensitive ground of the Des Moines Lobe. Whether a Cambridge basement is taking on spring water or a Collins driveway has settled, our crews handle the work without subcontractors.
Towns we serve in Story County: Colo, Cambridge, Collins, Kelley, Gilbert, Huxley, and Nevada.
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.
Story County homes range from century-old farmhouses near Collins to fast-growing subdivisions in the ISU orbit, and all of them ride on shifting Des Moines Lobe clay. JLB stabilizes settling and cracked foundations with steel push piers, helical piers, and wall-reinforcement systems matched to each home's construction. We diagnose the cause of movement first so the fix lasts through Iowa's wet-dry swings.
How we do it: foundation repair at JLB.
Slow-draining clay around Nevada, Cambridge, and the rest of Story County keeps water pressing against basement walls long after the rain stops. Our basement waterproofing combines interior drain tile, sump pumps, and crack sealing to capture water before it reaches your living space. The goal is a dry basement you can finish and trust, not just a temporary patch.
How we do it: basement waterproofing at JLB.
Many older Story County houses, especially in the smaller towns, sit over vented crawlspaces that pull in humid air and ground moisture. JLB seals these spaces with heavy vapor barriers and, where it adds value, spray foams both the crawlspace and the basement for twice the protection at a lower cost than crews who only treat one. The result is drier air, lower energy bills, and protection from mold and wood rot.
How we do it: crawlspace encapsulation at JLB.
With the South Skunk River watershed and clay-heavy yards channeling runoff toward foundations, surface and subsurface water management is essential across Story County. We install French drains, regrade problem areas, and extend downspouts to move water away from the home before it can pool against the foundation. Proper drainage outside is the first line of defense for any basement or crawlspace.
How we do it: french drains & drainage at JLB.
When a Story County foundation wall has bowed, sheared, or deteriorated beyond what reinforcement can correct, full wall replacement restores structural integrity. JLB rebuilds failed poured or block walls and addresses the soil and drainage conditions that caused the failure in the first place. This is the most involved repair we do, and we engineer it to handle the county's expansive clay long term.
How we do it: foundation wall replacement at JLB.
Official Story County offices for permits, assessments, and property records:
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.
Yes. While Nevada is the county seat, our crews regularly work in the smaller Story County communities of Colo, Cambridge, Collins, and Kelley. Foundation and water problems are just as common in older small-town homes as in larger cities, and we travel throughout the county to reach them.
Much of Story County sits on the Des Moines Lobe, where heavy clay soils drain slowly and hold water against foundation walls. When spring snowmelt and rain saturate ground near the South Skunk River and its tributaries, hydrostatic pressure pushes moisture through wall cracks and cold joints, which is why interior drainage and sump systems matter here.
Permit requirements depend on whether your property is inside an incorporated town like Nevada or in unincorporated Story County. County zoning and permitting are handled through the Story County Planning and Development department, and we help homeowners understand what their specific project requires before we begin.
The expansive clay common across Story County swells when wet and shrinks when dry, which lifts and cracks slabs that lack a properly compacted base. We address the soil first with the right sub-base preparation so new driveways, patios, and sidewalks stay level through Iowa's freeze-thaw cycles.
Our Locations
We're always close enough to help — our crews are local to your area.
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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.
