Foundation Repair in Grimes

Grimes at a glance

Grimes is a fast-growing city of 15,392 people (2020) in Polk and Dallas counties, northwest of Des Moines.

What that means for your foundation

Much of Grimes is newer construction on poured concrete basements. Shrinkage cracks, settling backfill and window wells that collect water are the usual early issues; see crack repair. Sump pumps in new subdivisions can run often in the first years while the ground settles and drainage paths form.

New subdivisions

Lots graded during construction can settle unevenly, and sod laid over settled backfill may slope back toward the house. Driveways poured over fresh backfill sometimes sink at the garage door and tip water toward the house.

Named for a governor

Grimes was founded in 1881 and incorporated as a city on May 7, 1894. It's named for James W. Grimes, a U.S. senator and the third governor of Iowa. A small railroad town for most of its history, it has grown quickly in recent decades as the metro spread northwest. Newer homes still need gutters and grading kept in shape; see sump pumps and drainage. Because so many basements here are finished soon after purchase, it pays to watch the bare walls through one full spring of storms before covering them with drywall.