Lifetime transferable warranty
Protection that stays with the home, including when ownership changes. See the written warranty for covered work.
Signs & symptoms
Standing Water
While plumbing leaks and surface runoff can play a role, persistent standing water is often a symptom of deeper structural problems.
What Causes Standing Water in a Basement?
While plumbing leaks and surface runoff can play a role, persistent standing water is often a symptom of deeper structural problems. In many Iowa homes, shifting soil or poor drainage creates pressure around the foundation. Over time, that pressure can force water through cracks in the walls, floor, or cove joint where the wall meets the slab.
If the foundation has started to settle or the basement walls are bowing inward, water can find its way in more easily. Poor exterior grading and high water tables make the problem worse, allowing moisture to collect around the foundation instead of draining away from it.
Anchored Walls focuses on these structural issues, not surface-level waterproofing, so we can stop water problems at their source.
Google reviews
What homeowners say.
4.9 / 5 from 286 Google reviews.
★★★★★ Google
After getting bids and talking with a few different contractors regarding what we needed for waterproofing our basement, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, anxious and stressed out. Elliott...Read full review
After getting bids and talking with a few different contractors regarding what we needed for waterproofing our basement, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, anxious and stressed out. Elliott was a breath of fresh air. He's a very nice, respectful guy. He is very knowledgeable and was easy to talk to. After speaking with him, I felt more at ease and less anxious about the whole process. Because of Elliott, we plan to move forward with Anchored Walls for our basement waterproofing.
ME
★★★★★ Google
Anchored Walls techs, Zach and Kyle, came ready to work!!! They added 9 anchors to 2 of my basement walls to stabilize them. Those 2 men worked hard! I have attached 2 pictures, the...Read full review
Anchored Walls techs, Zach and Kyle, came ready to work!!! They added 9 anchors to 2 of my basement walls to stabilize them. Those 2 men worked hard! I have attached 2 pictures, the first shows shovels over the holes so no one would fall in, and the finished yard. You cannot tell where the holes had been. Both men also added waterproofing to my basement floor. If Zach and Kyle are an example of what to expect when you hire Anchored Walls, then the company gets 5 stars from me. Great work Zach and Kyle !!! * * * * *
MH
★★★★★ Google
I bought an old townhouse and found leakage into the basement under a window well. I had Anchored Walls come out to inspect. Roger diagnosed the problem as 30-yr buildup of silt preventing...Read full review
I bought an old townhouse and found leakage into the basement under a window well. I had Anchored Walls come out to inspect. Roger diagnosed the problem as 30-yr buildup of silt preventing water from draining down to the tile. He recommended excavation and rebuild with clean pea gravel fill. A 2-man crew accomplished that in half a day. I withheld submitting a review for 2 months until I could see if it fixed the problem. Over the July 4th weekend we got 9 inches of rain. The basement was bone dry. So I was pleased and impressed. The guys from Anchored Walls are experienced and know what they are doing. FIVE STARS!
BD
★★★★★ Google
From the project manager through all the folks working this huge mess, I am so thankful for the job that was completed. Kyle and team put up with all my questions and dealt with temporary...Read full review
From the project manager through all the folks working this huge mess, I am so thankful for the job that was completed. Kyle and team put up with all my questions and dealt with temporary fencing for my dogs. Always rrspectful and polite. I can't rate them or Anchored Walls high enough! Also Deb in the office keeping me updated and answering more questions. Lucas and Carson putting in the sump pump. If you have basement issues, definitely call this company!!
KL
★★★★★ Google
Anchored Walls of Winterset stabilized our Basement walls, leveled our driveway, and found an incredible and invisible solution to our 25 year sump pump drain exit. Matt Clayton was...Read full review
Anchored Walls of Winterset stabilized our Basement walls, leveled our driveway, and found an incredible and invisible solution to our 25 year sump pump drain exit. Matt Clayton was consistently kind and patient. He nailed our estimate and was Readily available for questions before, during, and after the project. Debbie was quick, responsive, and friendly to give us speedy and accurate answers to many questions. Finally, Brad was the man who finally solved our 25 year sump pump problem. He was super respectful with my wife, and somehow installed 30 foot of PVC into our yard, leaving zero evidence. You're work is amazing and we are more thankful for you than we can express! All this to say, we strongly recommend and refer Anchored Walls of Winterset. Great job and God bless you for your Efforts.
DT
Why You Should Never Ignore Standing Water in Your Basement
Standing water in a basement is not just a nuisance. It is often the result of pressure building around your foundation. Left unchecked, that pressure can cause concrete walls to bow, slabs to crack, and structural integrity to weaken over time.
Water also creates the ideal environment for mold growth, wood rot, and air quality issues. Even small amounts of moisture can lead to damage that spreads through your home’s framing, flooring, and insulation. If the foundation continues to shift or settle, the problem will not stay in the basement; it will show up in sticking doors, sagging floors, or visible cracks upstairs.
The sooner you address the source of the issue, the easier it is to prevent long-term damage.
How Anchored Walls Fixes the Problem
Anchored Walls offers basement waterproofing services designed to address water problems caused by foundation movement, poor soil conditions, and hydrostatic pressure. We do not install temporary surface drains. We solve the structural problems that allow water to enter your home in the first place.
If your basement walls are bowing or cracking under pressure, we use wall anchors or carbon fiber straps to reinforce the structure and prevent further movement. For homes with foundation settlement or sinking slabs, we install helical piers or push piers to restore stability and stop shifting soil from creating new leak points. Once the foundation is secure, we install waterproofing systems that are designed to manage groundwater and keep your basement dry long term.
Every solution is tailored to your home’s condition and Iowa’s soil, not a one-size-fits-all patch. When water shows up inside, we fix the structure and stop the source.
When to Call a Foundation Repair Specialist
If you are seeing water pooling in your basement after rain, do not wait for the problem to go away on its own. Water intrusion is often an early sign of a foundation issue, especially if you are also noticing:
- Cracks in basement walls or floors
- Bowing or leaning walls
- Doors or windows that no longer open smoothly
- Uneven or settling floors above the basement
- Water coming in through the cove joint or base of the wall
The sooner you identify the structural cause, the more options you will have, and the more damage you can prevent.
Anchored Walls provides professional evaluations for homeowners across Iowa. If standing water is part of your home’s story, it is time to find out why.
Get the Answers Your Basement Needs
Standing water is never just a surface issue. If moisture keeps coming back, your foundation may be under stress, and waiting too long can lead to serious damage.
Anchored Walls has spent over 40 years helping Iowa homeowners find the cause and fix it right. We do not sell quick fixes. We provide structural repairs that last. Contact us today to schedule a professional evaluation. Let’s find out what your basement is really telling you.
Experienced hands. A clear plan.
Helping Iowa homeowners since 1978.
A repair plan built around your home.
Start with a free inspection. We explain what we find and put the recommended work in writing, so you can make an informed decision.
★★★★★Google review
“Gabe & Taxson did a wonderful job of waterproofing our basement. They worked so hard chiseling concrete, carrying it up the stairs in buckets, then carrying rock and replacement cement down the stairs to fill in the dug up places, but most of all, they cleaned up the mess! Kip McMillen from United Services…”
Marjorie M.Verified Google review · Winterset, IA · Sep 2025
Money-back guarantee
Your money is never at risk. We stand behind our work with a written money-back guarantee.
Five-star service guarantee
A clear plan, respectful crews, and a commitment to the experience as well as the repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my crawl space needs repair?
Look for signs like sagging subflooring, musty smells, mold growth, high humidity, standing water, or visible rot on floor joists and beams. These often show up first in closets or laundry rooms above the crawl space. All of these issues point to possible structural or moisture problems below.
Why is there mold in my crawl space?
Mold is a result of excessive moisture in the crawl space of your home. It’s very important that you take care of a moldy crawl space problem as soon as you notice that something is wrong. If left untreated, mold can cause a number of problems for the structural integrity of your home, as well as your family’s health. If you don’t repair your foundation, water will eventually seep in. This causes an assortment of additional problems for the structural integrity of your home.
What causes crawl space moisture?
Crawl space moisture comes from water seepage, improper yard drainage systems, soil settlement and condensation. Regardless of whether your crawl space is dirt, concrete, vented or unconditioned, these lower areas underneath the home tend to endure the most damage due to the many changes in weather conditions, high temperatures and humidity levels. Humidity and moisture easily travel through your crawl space and can begin to infiltrate the structure of your home.Damp or wet crawl spaces are perfect homes for insects, rodents and other critters. This area underneath your home can be extremely unhealthy, destructive and dangerous. Your wet crawl space can also act as a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth. Mold spreads easily throughout your home when it begins in your crawl space. Mold, as well as wood rot, can negatively affect your home’s indoor air quality. That’s why it’s important to take care of crawl space moisture problems as soon as you notice them.
Are foundation cracks serious or just cosmetic?
Some small, vertical cracks may be normal settling, but if a crack is widening, leaking water, or forming a stair-step or horizontal pattern, it could signal a structural issue. It’s always best to have cracks professionally evaluated to determine whether repair is needed.
If I don't repair my foundation, what could happen?
If you don’t repair your foundation, water will eventually seep in. This causes an assortment of additional problems for the structural integrity of your home.
Explore basement waterproofing
Leaking Crack Repair
At Anchored Walls, we’ve been helping homeowners in Winterset and the surrounding areas protect their homes from basement water for over 40 years.
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Interior Drain Tile System
At Anchored Walls, we install interior drain tile systems designed to manage groundwater before it ever reaches your basement floor.
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Sump Pump Installation & Replacement in Iowa
Anchored Walls has been in the business of repairing and protecting foundations, basements, crawl spaces, concrete slabs, and sump pump installation services in the Des Moines area for over 40 years.
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Rust Stains on Basement Walls and Floors
Rust stains on basement walls or floor might seem harmless at first, just a few orange streaks near a drain or a faint outline around a metal post.
ExploreA local team for your Iowa home.
From our Winterset location, we serve Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, Urbandale, Clive, Ames, and surrounding communities. Check your ZIP for service at your address.
Highlighted counties contain service ZIP codes. Coverage varies within each county; check your ZIP and confirm your address when scheduling.