Basement Sealing & Waterproofing Services in Ames, IA
Ames sits where the Skunk River meets Squaw Creek, and that confluence keeps Story County's ground saturated. What makes Ames different is its foundations: the older neighborhoods mix full basements with crawlspaces, so the same high groundwater finds two ways in — pushing through basement cove joints and wicking up through the bare soil of an unsealed crawlspace floor.
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Why does Ames groundwater end up in both the basement and the crawlspace of an older home?
A city built where two waterways meet
Ames sits at the confluence of the Skunk River and Squaw Creek, and that low, water-fed setting keeps the surrounding ground saturated well after higher parts of central Iowa have drained. The river-fed water table sits high beneath the city, and after snowmelt or a long wet spell the Des Moines Lobe soil holds that water against whatever foundation stands in its path. The distinctive thing about Ames is that the foundation in its way is not always a full basement — and the water treats each kind differently.
Two foundations, two ways in
Ames' older neighborhoods — the 1920s homes near Iowa State, the mid-century faculty housing off Lincoln Way — were built with a mix of full basements, partial basements, and crawlspaces, and high groundwater finds both. Against a full basement wall it builds hydrostatic pressure and forces moisture in through the cove joint, the seam where the floor meets the wall; in the block foundations common here it also seeps through the mortar joints and leaves efflorescence. Under a crawlspace the same groundwater does something quieter and easier to miss: it wicks up through the bare soil floor and the block stem walls, and that damp air drifts up into the rooms above, feeding a musty smell and, over time, rotting the wooden floor joists. One house can have both problems at once, which is why treating only the basement often leaves the real moisture source untouched.
Treating the whole home as one system
JLB approaches an Ames home as a single moisture system rather than a basement in isolation. On basement sections we install interior drain tile along the footing and a sealed sump with battery backup to carry off the hydrostatic load. Under the crawlspace we install a vapor barrier over the floor and walls so ground moisture stops rising into the house — and where a home has both, we tie them together so nothing is left feeding humidity from below. Where saturated soil is draining toward the foundation, we regrade and add exterior drainage. Every plan follows a free on-site inspection, because the particular mix of basement and crawlspace under your home decides the design and the price.
Meet the Team Serving Ames
JLB is a local crew — not a franchise. We handle basement waterproofing across Ames and the Des Moines metro. Watch to see who shows up at your door.
Watch Basement Waterproofing Work in Ames
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.
Foundation and water problems rarely get cheaper while they wait.
What Basement Water Warning Signs Appear in Ames Homes?
The musty smell upstairs usually starts in the basement. Most Ames homes with concrete block basements with no interior drainage system. Moisture enters through hairline cracks and cold joints that are hidden behind finished walls, and the mold it feeds sends spores through your entire HVAC system before you ever see a water stain.
Water Seeping Through Wall Cracks
Active water intrusion through foundation cracks. Every rain event pushes more water in, and the cracks widen over time. In Ames's concrete block homes, stair-step cracks along mortar joints are especially common — a direct result of lateral clay pressure.
Damp, Stained, or Wet Walls
White mineral deposits (efflorescence), dark stains, or walls that are damp to the touch. Water is migrating through your foundation constantly. Block basements in Ames often show efflorescence (white mineral deposits) before active leaking begins — an early warning worth acting on.
Musty, Moldy Smell
If you can smell it, mold is already growing. That musty odor means moisture has been present long enough to colonize — and it's in the air your family breathes. In Ames's climate, musty crawlspace air rises into the living space through a process called the "stack effect" — what's below affects everything above.
Standing Water or Puddles After Rain
Water pooling on the basement floor means groundwater is overwhelming your foundation. Without intervention, every storm is a flood event. Block basements in Ames often show efflorescence (white mineral deposits) before active leaking begins — an early warning worth acting on.
Sump Pump Running Constantly or Failed
A sump pump that runs nonstop is fighting a losing battle. One that's failed means your basement has zero flood protection right now. Ames homes on concrete block basement foundations in Story County are particularly susceptible to this issue.
Peeling Paint or Bubbling Walls
Hydrostatic pressure is pushing moisture through the concrete itself. The paint is the least of your problems — the concrete is saturated. Ames homes on concrete block basement foundations in Story County are particularly susceptible to this issue.
Water finding its way into your Ames basement?
Story County's clay soil holds water against foundation walls like a sponge. Once hydrostatic pressure exceeds what your walls can handle, the water comes in. Our free estimate identifies exactly where and why — and we'll show you the most cost-effective way to stop it permanently.
Four Steps to a Dry Basement
From "I dread every rainstorm" to "I forgot it used to leak" — here's how we get you there.
Water Source Inspection
We identify exactly where and how water enters your basement — cracks, joints, floor seepage, or wall migration. No guessing, just answers.
Custom Waterproofing Plan
Based on your water entry pattern and soil conditions, we design a system that addresses every vulnerability. You'll know the full scope before we start.
System Installation
Our crew installs your drainage, sump, and sealing systems. Most waterproofing projects complete in 2–4 days with minimal disruption to your home.
Dry Basement — Guaranteed
Your basement stays dry through every storm. We stand behind our work with a warranty because we know the system works.
Who Handles Basement Waterproofing in Ames and Story County?
Ames is a community we know well. Our crews work throughout Story County, and with around 70000 residents, we've seen the full range of foundation conditions here — from older homes in established neighborhoods to newer builds on the edges of town. Same team from inspection to completion, every time.
Call (515) 717-8560“Every spring when the snow melted, our basement would flood. JLB installed a full interior drainage and sump system. We've been through two Iowa springs since — completely dry. It's like a different house.”
Why Do Ames Homeowners Choose JLB for Waterproofing?
We earn trust the old-fashioned way: honest inspections, fair pricing, and repairs that last.
Iowa Licensed & Story County Permitted
We're licensed in Iowa and experienced with Story County's building department. From permit applications to final inspections, we handle the paperwork so Ames homeowners can focus on their home, not the process.
Concrete block Basement Specialists
Ames's concrete block basements leak differently than newer walls — water works through the mortar joints and the cove joint first. Our crews install interior drain tile, sump systems, and vapor barriers matched to how these older foundations shed water.
Trusted Across Ames
We've waterproofed basements throughout Ames's established and growing neighborhoods. With around 70000 residents, word travels fast — and our reputation is built on honest work and fair pricing.
Affordable Solutions
Ames's terrain means some homes face bigger drainage and water-intrusion challenges than others. We offer financing to make sure the cost doesn't prevent you from protecting your home when the soil is working against it.
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.
What Does Basement Waterproofing Cost in Ames, IA?
Ames homes near waterways deal with persistently high water tables that make waterproofing more critical — and sometimes more complex. Here's what Story County homeowners typically invest to keep their basements dry.
| Method | Typical Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Interior French drain + sump pump | $2,800–$6,500 | Active water seepage through floor/wall joint |
| Interior wall sealant/coating | $450–$2,200 | Minor dampness, condensation |
| Exterior waterproofing membrane | $7,500–$14,000 | Severe water intrusion, requires excavation |
| Sump pump installation | $900–$2,300 | Homes without existing pump, high water table areas |
| Crack injection (per crack) | $200–$700 | Individual foundation wall cracks |
| Complete interior system (drain + pump + wall treatment) | $3,500–$7,500 | Most common full solution |
| Exterior excavation + drain tile | $9,000–$18,000 | Full-perimeter exterior protection |
Des Moines homes with high water tables (common near the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers) may require higher-capacity sump pump systems, adding $500–$1,500 to interior solutions. JLB provides free estimates — call (515) 717-8560 for an accurate quote.
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 and water problems rarely get cheaper while they wait.
Basement Waterproofing Questions for Ames Homes
Because the same high, river-fed water table is behind both. Ames sits at the confluence of the Skunk River and Squaw Creek, so the ground stays saturated and groundwater presses on every part of the foundation. Against a full basement wall that pressure pushes moisture in through the cove joint; under a crawlspace it wicks up through the bare soil floor and the block stem walls as damp air. Older Ames homes often have both types of foundation, so one house can show both problems, and fixing only the basement can leave the crawlspace feeding moisture into the house.
The confluence keeps the water table high beneath much of the city and slows how quickly the ground drains after snowmelt or heavy rain. That means the Des Moines Lobe soil around your foundation stays saturated longer, holding hydrostatic pressure against the basement wall and forcing moisture in through the cove joint and, in block foundations, the mortar joints. Because the pressure is groundwater-driven rather than storm-driven, interior drainage that relieves it at the footing is the dependable fix rather than surface patching.
In a saturated river-valley setting, an unsealed crawlspace becomes a moisture source for the whole house. Groundwater and humidity wick up through the bare soil floor and the block stem walls, the air turns damp and musty, and over time that moisture rots the wooden floor joists overhead. A vapor barrier sealing the crawlspace floor and walls cuts off that ground moisture, and where water is actively entering we tie the space into drainage. Sealing the crawlspace also keeps its damp air from rising into the living areas above.
The cove joint is the usual entry point — the seam where the basement floor meets the wall, and the lowest unsealed part of the foundation. High groundwater builds hydrostatic pressure at the footing and pushes moisture up through that seam. In the concrete-block foundations common in Ames' older neighborhoods, water also seeps through the porous block and mortar joints, leaving efflorescence on the walls. Interior drain tile along the footing intercepts the water there and routes it to a sump before it reaches your floor.
It depends on how much of each you have. An interior basement perimeter with a sump typically falls in a mid-four-figure range, and sealing a crawlspace with a vapor barrier is priced on its size and condition; a home with both is quoted as one combined system. That's usually far less disruptive and less costly than exterior excavation. These are typical ranges rather than a quote — the mix of basement and crawlspace under your home sets the real number, which is why every JLB plan starts with a free on-site inspection.
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.
Get Your Free Waterproofing Assessment in Ames
We'll evaluate your basement's drainage, crack patterns, and moisture levels — all at no cost. If your Ames basement is showing signs of water, fill out the form or call us at(515) 717-8560.
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, IA, 50314(515) 717-8560 View on Google Maps
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.