Foundation Repair · Des Moines, IA
Foundation Repair in Des Moines, IA
In Central Iowa, foundation trouble usually comes from one of three things: soil pressure on basement walls, water that softens the ground under a footing, or a corner of the house that has settled. The repair depends entirely on which one is at work.
Request a foundation inspectionWhat homeowners notice first
A crack running across a block wall, a door upstairs that no longer latches, a gap opening above the kitchen cabinets or a floor that dips toward one side. Several of these together usually point to real movement.
The inspection
A contractor checks wall plumb with a level, measures floor elevations, looks for water marks and walks the outside to see where gutters and grading send water. The goal is a cause, not just a list of cracks.
Wall bracing
Bowed basement walls are held in place with steel beams, wall anchors or carbon fiber straps; see bowing wall repair.
Piers for settling
When a section of footing has sunk, steel push piers or helical piers can carry it down to firmer soil and lift it back toward level.
Water is part of the fix
Repairs hold up better when gutters, downspouts, grading and the sump pump are working. Many plans include them.
Older Des Moines homes
Houses from the early 1900s may have brick or clay tile foundations, which crack and lean differently from poured concrete or block. Ask what the plan is for that material.
Comparing proposals
Ask each contractor to name the cause, the method and the warranty, and compare quotes for the same scope of work.
Get an inspection
Tell the contractor where the cracks or bowing are and whether the home has a full basement, crawl space or slab. Send a request and a foundation repair contractor will get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a cracked basement wall always serious?
- No. Thin vertical shrinkage cracks are common in poured walls. Horizontal cracks, bowing or cracks that keep widening deserve a professional look.
- How long do foundation repairs take?
- Bracing a wall or setting a few piers often takes a few days. Excavation and waterproofing jobs take longer.
Other foundation repair services
Request a foundation inspection
Bowing basement walls, new cracks, water on the floor after a storm. Tell us what you're seeing and we'll pass it straight to a foundation contractor, who will call you to set up an inspection and quote.
- Basement walls, cracks and slabs
- Des Moines, Grimes, Norwalk, Indianola and nearby
- Inspection and quote before any work
Need foundation repair in Des Moines?
Send a request and a foundation contractor will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
Prefer email? [email protected]