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Serving Ankeny, IA and surrounding areas. (515) 963-5532
Ankeny Concrete & Masonry is the masonry contractor Des Moines homeowners call for masonry restoration, chimney repair, and foundation repair - serving Des Moines properties since 2018 with same-area crews and written estimates before any work begins.
Des Moines has a large share of homes built in the 1930s and 1940s, many with brick bungalow exteriors in neighborhoods like Beaverdale and Drake. Our masonry restoration work brings those surfaces back to solid, weather-tight condition - matching mortar color and texture so repairs blend in rather than standing out.
Mortar on Des Moines brick homes from the 1930s through 1950s has been through 80 or more Iowa winters, and most of it is well past its expected lifespan. Repointing deteriorated joints stops water from getting behind the brick before freeze-thaw cycles crack the brick faces themselves.
Victorian homes in Sherman Hill and brick bungalows across Beaverdale were built when coal and wood heat were the norm - their chimneys are original construction and need careful attention from someone who understands older masonry methods and materials.
Des Moines sits at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, and spring flooding raises the water table in low-lying neighborhoods every few years. Basement walls under hydrostatic pressure from groundwater need a different repair approach than simple settling, and getting the diagnosis right matters.
Older Des Moines brick homes in Beaverdale and Capitol East see spalling and chipping on north-facing walls where brick stays wet longer after rain and snow. Replacing individual damaged bricks before the deterioration spreads protects the structural integrity of the whole wall.
Des Moines homeowners updating postwar ranch homes and split-levels on the city's outer neighborhoods often choose stone veneer to modernize their exterior without a full rebuild. It is one of the highest-return exterior upgrades for that style of home in this market.
A significant share of Des Moines homes were built before 1960, and many were built before 1945. That housing stock - concentrated in neighborhoods like Beaverdale, Sherman Hill, Drake, and Capitol East - carries original masonry that has been through eight or more decades of Iowa winters. The mortar in those joints is well past its expected lifespan. The brick faces on north-facing walls have seen decades of freeze-thaw damage. Foundations poured in the 1930s and 1940s were not designed for the drainage loads modern yards put on them. This is specialized work, and it requires a contractor who has actually worked on homes of this age rather than one who only knows newer construction.
Des Moines winters bring hard freezes with frost depths that can reach 40 inches, and spring flooding near the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers raises the water table in low-lying neighborhoods regularly. The combination of old construction, hard freezes, and seasonal groundwater pressure creates a specific set of masonry problems that homeowners here encounter more often than in newer suburban markets. Understanding those local conditions - the clay soil, the river proximity, the age of the building stock - is what separates a contractor who works in Des Moines from one who just happens to take jobs here.
Our crew works throughout Des Moines regularly, and we understand the local conditions that affect masonry work here. We have worked on brick bungalows in Beaverdale, on Victorian-era homes in Sherman Hill, and on the postwar ranches and split-levels that fill the neighborhoods west of the river toward Merle Hay. Each type of property presents different challenges, and recognizing those differences before the estimate is part of how we avoid surprises during the job.
Des Moines is a city where people put down roots. From the neighborhoods along the river near Principal Park to the homes out near Gray's Lake, we know the streets and we know the building stock. The City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center handles permits for structural work here, and we work through that process directly on jobs that require it.
We are based in nearby Ankeny, which means our crew is already in the metro regularly. We also serve Johnston and the surrounding communities, so if you have a neighbor who needs a referral we can cover them too.
We respond within 1 business day. You tell us what you are seeing and where - you do not need to know the cause or the repair type. We will figure that out at the property.
We visit the property and inspect the full scope of the problem - mortar condition, brick faces, drainage, and structural indicators. For older Des Moines homes, this step matters a lot because older construction often has layers of prior repairs that change the picture.
You receive a clear written estimate covering what will be done, what materials are involved, and total cost. We handle any required permits through the City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center before work begins.
Most jobs complete in one to five days depending on scope. We clean up at the end of each day and walk you through the finished work before leaving, with warranty paperwork in hand.
We serve Des Moines homeowners with in-person assessments and written estimates. No pressure, no guessing.
(515) 963-5532Des Moines is Iowa's largest city, with a population of around 214,000 and a role as the state's economic and cultural center. The city is built on distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and housing stock. Sherman Hill, just west of downtown, is one of Iowa's oldest surviving residential neighborhoods, with Victorian-era homes dating to the 1880s and 1890s. Beaverdale, to the northwest, is known for its concentration of brick bungalows and Cape Cods from the 1930s and 1940s - one of the most recognizable housing styles in the city. The Drake neighborhood sits around Drake University and carries a mix of older homes and smaller commercial buildings. East Des Moines and the Capitol East area have postwar ranches and bungalows that reflect a different era of the city's growth.
The city anchors a metro area that includes Ankeny to the north and Johnston to the northwest, and major employers including Principal Financial Group and Nationwide keep the local economy stable for the long-term homeowners who make up a large share of Des Moines residents. The Iowa State Fair is held every August on the east side of the city, drawing visitors from across the state. Homeowners here tend to be practical and invested in their properties - they want a contractor who knows their neighborhood, not one who has to look up the address to figure out what kind of house they are dealing with.
Restore your foundation's strength and protect your home from further damage.
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Learn MoreDesign and build a custom outdoor kitchen built to last all seasons.
Learn MoreCreate a safe, beautiful walkway that enhances your property's curb appeal.
Learn MoreBuild handcrafted brick walls that add character and lasting value.
Learn MoreRepoint brick joints to stop water intrusion and restore structural integrity.
Learn MoreCall today or request a free estimate - we respond within 1 business day and serve all of Des Moines and the surrounding metro.