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Foundation Repair, Basement Waterproofing & Concrete Services in Story County, Iowa

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, basement waterproofing, and concrete services. JLB brings all three under one roof for property owners from Nevada to the county's smallest towns.

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11+ Years in Business
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Des Moines
(515) 717-8560
JLB Foundation Repair

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Get a precise analysis of your foundation and waterproofing situation, and a clear estimate on what any fixes or corrections might cost.

4.9★ (100+ reviews) · 11+ Years · Transferable Warranty
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Serving Story County

Foundation, Waterproofing & Concrete Across Story County, Iowa

In a county shaped by ISU's research-and-growth engine and the seasonal swings of central Iowa clay, JLB delivers foundation repair, basement waterproofing, and concrete services 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, and Kelley.

Foundation & Waterproofing

Foundation Repair, Basement Waterproofing & Crawlspace Services in Story County, Iowa

One local crew handles the whole structural side in Story County — piering, waterproofing, crawlspace encapsulation, drainage, and wall replacement. Here's how we fix each:

Steel push pier foundation stabilization in Story County, Iowa

Foundation Repair in Story County

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.

  • Steel push piers and helical piers driven to stable load-bearing soil
  • Wall anchors and carbon-fiber straps for bowing or cracked walls
  • Engineered, permanent fixes — not surface patches
  • Transferable warranty and a free, no-pressure inspection
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Interior drain tile and sump basement waterproofing in Story County, Iowa

Basement Waterproofing in Story County

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.

  • Interior drain tile and sump systems sized for Iowa’s water table
  • Crack injection and wall-to-floor joint sealing
  • Vapor barriers and dehumidification to stop musty air and mold
  • Keeps the lower level permanently dry, backed in writing
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Crawlspace encapsulation with vapor-barrier liner in Story County, Iowa

Crawlspace Encapsulation in Story County

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.

  • Spray-foams BOTH the crawlspace AND the basement — twice the protection
  • Sealed vapor-barrier liner over floor and walls
  • Cuts humidity, mold, and energy loss from the stack effect
  • Done for less than competitors who seal only one or the other
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French drain trench with gravel and drain pipe in Story County, Iowa

French Drains & Drainage in Story County

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.

  • French drains, regrading, and buried downspout extensions
  • Redirects surface and groundwater away from the foundation
  • Relieves the hydrostatic pressure that cracks walls and floors
  • Built for Iowa freeze-thaw and heavy spring snowmelt
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Steel-reinforced foundation wall replacement in Story County, Iowa

Foundation Wall Replacement in Story County

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.

  • Full removal and rebuild of failed or severely bowed walls
  • Steel-reinforced poured concrete below the 42-inch frost line
  • Exterior waterproofing and proper drainage built back in
  • The permanent answer when bracing is no longer enough
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Concrete Services

Concrete Services in Story County, Iowa

JLB brings its full concrete crew to Story County — flatwork, decorative finishes, structural walls, and pools, all in-house. Here's what we pour locally:

Broom-finished concrete driveway for Story County, Iowa homes

Concrete Driveways in Story County

A new concrete driveway in Story County only stays flat if the clay sub-base beneath it is properly excavated and compacted. JLB pours durable, correctly jointed driveways built to resist the cracking and heaving that Iowa freeze-thaw cycles cause. We size the slab thickness to the use, whether it's a single-family home in Nevada or a rural drive near Kelley.

  • Air-entrained mixes (5-7%) built to survive 100-120 freeze-thaw cycles a winter
  • Proper subgrade preparation over Des Moines Lobe glacial till
  • JLB's own in-house crew — no subcontractors
  • Free inspection plus the JLB transferable warranty
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Warm ashlar stamped concrete patio for Story County, Iowa homes

Concrete Patios & Outdoor Spaces in Story County

Outdoor living is part of life across Story County, and a well-built concrete patio gives you a stable, low-maintenance surface for it. We prepare the ground to limit clay-driven movement and finish patios in broom, smooth, or decorative textures. Proper drainage is built in so water sheds away from the house rather than collecting against it.

  • Site-specific subgrade prep for Des Moines Lobe glacial till
  • Proper joint placement and air entrainment to survive Iowa freeze-thaw
  • One in-house crew handles excavation through finish
  • Can be paired with a JLB pool installation under a single crew
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Broom-finished concrete front walkway for Story County, Iowa homes

Concrete Sidewalks & Walkways in Story County

Cracked or uneven sidewalks are a common sight on Story County's older lots, where clay shifting and tree roots take their toll. JLB pours new walkways with the right base prep and control joints to keep them level and safe. We also match grade and slope to meet local standards and shed water cleanly.

  • Built to handle expansive till movement and frost heave
  • Correct concrete strength and 5-7% air entrainment
  • Full range from plain replacement to decorative finishes
  • JLB's own in-house crew
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Italian slate stamped concrete for Story County, Iowa homes

Stamped Concrete in Story County

Stamped concrete lets Story County homeowners get the look of brick, slate, or natural stone for patios, walkways, and entries at a fraction of the cost. We form, color, and stamp the slab on a stable base so the decorative finish holds up to Iowa winters. Each project is sealed to protect the pattern and color from freeze-thaw wear.

  • Integral color and surface hardeners engineered for Iowa freeze-thaw
  • Proper base and drainage over glacial till
  • Durable, low-maintenance alternative to natural stone
  • JLB's own in-house crew
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Concrete pool deck at the water edge for Story County, Iowa homes

Concrete Pool Decks in Story County

A concrete pool deck around a Story County backyard pool needs slip resistance, drainage, and resistance to the clay movement below. JLB builds pool decks with textured or decorative finishes that stay cool and safe underfoot. We grade the surface so splash-out and rain drain away from the pool and the home's foundation.

  • Air-entrained mixes and correct expansion joints for Iowa soil movement and freeze-thaw
  • JLB can set the pool AND pour the deck — one crew, one contract
  • Proper reinforcement for a deck that stays level
  • Free inspection
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Stained decorative concrete patio for Story County, Iowa homes

Stained & Colored Concrete in Story County

Stained concrete turns plain slabs into rich, finished surfaces for Story County garages, basements, patios, and interiors. We apply acid or water-based stains that penetrate the concrete for color that won't peel like paint. The finish is sealed for durability against traffic and moisture common in central Iowa homes.

  • Permanent color that won't peel or fade
  • Integral color carried through the full slab depth
  • Proper curing for Iowa conditions
  • Works on patios, driveways, pool decks, and commercial floors
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Concrete retaining wall with weep holes for Story County, Iowa homes

Concrete Retaining Walls in Story County

The rolling terrain and clay soils around Story County make retaining walls valuable for managing grade and runoff. JLB engineers and pours concrete retaining walls with proper footings, drainage, and reinforcement so they hold back soil through saturated spring conditions. A correctly built wall protects landscaping and keeps water moving away from structures.

  • Footings set below Iowa's 42-inch frost line
  • Rebar-reinforced for structural strength
  • Full drainage systems — weep holes, gravel backfill, and drain tile — to manage persistent hydrostatic pressure from the till
  • JLB's own in-house crew
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Backyard fiberglass pool for Story County, Iowa homes

Pool Installation in Story County

For Story County homeowners adding a backyard pool, JLB handles the concrete and groundwork that make the project succeed. We prepare the site, account for the area's expansive clay, and pour the structural concrete and surrounding deck as a coordinated build. Doing the soil and concrete work right up front prevents the settling and cracking that plague poorly planned installations.

  • Authorized Iowa dealer for Kisol, Elegance by Kisol, and Exclusive Pools — three factory-built shell lines
  • Every shell carries a 15-year structural warranty (manufacturer's, travels with the product)
  • Dig to swim in 4-8 weeks on most installs
  • Excavation dug dead-level to manufacturer spec, with backfill placed in controlled lifts and compacted to proctor standards so it won't settle, crack the deck, or heave in Iowa's expansive till
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Concrete parking lot with control joints for Story County, Iowa homes

Concrete Parking Lots in Story County

Commercial properties serving Story County's businesses and institutions need parking lots that carry heavy loads without cracking apart. JLB pours concrete lots with engineered bases, proper slab thickness, and drainage planning suited to local clay. Concrete outlasts asphalt under Iowa's freeze-thaw stress and stands up to years of traffic.

  • Heavy-duty 4,000-5,000+ PSI specifications
  • Proper subgrade preparation over glacial till
  • Air entrainment for Iowa freeze-thaw
  • Drainage engineered for Iowa precipitation and frost
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Sealed warehouse concrete floor for Story County, Iowa homes

Warehouse & Industrial Floors in Story County

Story County's agricultural and research economy depends on warehouses and industrial buildings with floors that can take the punishment. We pour flat, durable, properly jointed industrial slabs designed for forklift traffic, equipment loads, and heavy use. Correct sub-base preparation and finishing keep the floor level and crack-resistant over its working life.

  • 6-12" thickness at 4,000-5,000+ PSI
  • Proper joint spacing for forklift and heavy traffic
  • Subgrade preparation for glacial till
  • Built for Iowa frost and freeze-thaw
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Concrete ADA ramp with handrail for Story County, Iowa homes

ADA Ramps & Compliance in Story County

Accessible entrances are a requirement for many Story County businesses, public buildings, and homes adapting for mobility needs. JLB pours ADA-compliant concrete ramps with the correct slope, width, landings, and surface texture. We build them to meet code while integrating cleanly with existing walkways and entries.

  • Precise 1:12 slope and code-compliant landings
  • Air-entrained, reinforced concrete that holds compliance through Iowa freeze-thaw and soil movement
  • Deep footings below the 42-inch frost line
  • Meets federal ADA requirements plus local code
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Story County Resources

Story County Homeowner & Property Resources

Official Story County offices for permits, assessments, and property records:

County Assessor Planning & Development GIS Map Data County Government Site

Foundation & Concrete Questions for Story County Homeowners

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 #1
Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 717-8560 View on Google Maps

JLB Basement Waterproofing & Foundation Repair — Van Meter

325 Grand St
Van Meter, IA, 50261
(515) 642-3406 View on Google Maps

JLB Basement Waterproofing & Foundation Repair — Boone

2041 Knezevich Rd
Boone, IA, 50036
(515) 444-9234 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.

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