Serving West Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas. (515) 706-9183
West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry handles foundation repair, chimney work, brick and stone masonry, and more - serving West Des Moines and 11 surrounding communities since 2018.
West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry handles foundation repair, chimney work, brick and stone masonry, and more - serving West Des Moines and 11 surrounding communities since 2018.
West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor based in West Des Moines, IA, offering 16 services to homeowners across the Des Moines metro. Whether you are dealing with a cracked foundation, a crumbling chimney, or want to add a stone feature to your property, we handle it. We work with brick, concrete, stone, and mortar - and we have been doing it since 2018.
Cracks, bowing walls, or water getting in? We stabilize foundations before Iowa winters make it worse.
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Crumbling mortar or a cracked cap lets water in every winter. We fix chimneys before damage spreads.
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Soft, recessed mortar joints let water into your walls. Fresh tuckpointing stops the freeze-thaw cycle.
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Spalling bricks or crumbling joints? We replace damaged bricks and repoint mortar so walls last decades.
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Cracked or uneven driveway? Paver installation adds curb appeal and handles Iowa winters for years.
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Erosion, slope, or shifting soil threatening your yard? A proper retaining wall holds everything in place.
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Old masonry that looks worn or weathered gets a new life - matching original materials and craftsmanship.
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Want a fireplace that actually works for your space? We build and install custom masonry fireplaces.
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Stone veneer transforms plain walls into a polished feature without the cost of full natural stone.
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Concrete block walls built for privacy, security, or structural support - sized and finished to your needs.
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Solid foundation block wall installation that meets West Des Moines code and lasts through Iowa winters.
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Outdoor kitchens built from brick or stone - durable surfaces that hold up through Iowa summers and winters.
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Uneven or cracked walkways are a trip hazard. We lay clean, level paths in concrete, brick, or pavers.
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A new brick wall adds privacy, structure, and curb appeal that holds up in any Iowa season.
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Natural stone features built to last - from accent walls to full stone facades that age beautifully.
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Worn-out mortar joints that no longer seal properly get re-packed so your brickwork stays weathertight.
Learn MoreReach out by phone or fill out the contact form. We respond within 1 business day. You will speak with someone from our office - not an answering service - who will ask a few basic questions about what you are seeing and schedule a time to come take a look.
We come to your property, inspect the work area up close, and explain what we find in plain language. You receive a written estimate that breaks down exactly what needs to be done and what it will cost - before any work is scheduled.
We handle any required permits, schedule the crew, and complete the job. We leave your property clean and walk you through the finished work before we go. You get a direct number to call if anything comes up afterward.
We carry general liability insurance on every project and are licensed to perform masonry and concrete work in Iowa. Ask for a certificate of insurance before we start - we provide it without hesitation.
We are a locally owned business, not a franchise. We have worked on homes all across West Des Moines and the surrounding communities for years and know the housing stock and local conditions here.
We come to your property, inspect the work area, and give you a written estimate at no charge. You get a clear picture of what needs to be done and what it costs before you commit to anything.
Our work comes with a written workmanship warranty. The specific terms depend on the project type, and we explain coverage during the estimate visit - so you know exactly what is backed before work begins.
Ready to get started? Call (515) 706-9183 or send us a message.
"We had a bowing basement wall that had been getting worse for two years. The crew came out, gave us a clear written estimate, and completed the repair in two days. The wall has been straight since and we finally stopped dreading spring rain."
Mark T., West Des Moines - Foundation repair
"The mortar on our 1970s brick ranch was crumbling on the north side. They matched the color well enough that you really have to look to tell where the new work is. Job was done in one day and they cleaned up completely before leaving."
Susan P., Clive - Tuckpointing
"We had a chimney cap replaced and the mortar joints at the top repointed. They got on the roof, showed us photos of what they found, and finished by early afternoon. The chimney had been leaking every spring for years - it has not leaked since."
Dave R., Urbandale - Chimney repair
We respond within 1 business day - no automated systems, just someone from our office. There is no obligation to proceed after the estimate. Once you submit, someone will call you to schedule a free on-site visit where we assess the work and give you a written quote.
(515) 706-9183West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry is based in West Des Moines and serves 12 communities across the Des Moines metro - including Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, and Ankeny. We typically respond within 1 business day and can often schedule same-week visits for urgent foundation or chimney concerns.
West Des Moines averages dozens of freeze-thaw cycles every winter. Water trapped in small cracks expands when it freezes and contracts when it thaws - a process that widens cracks a little more each cycle. Damage that looks minor in October is often noticeably worse by March.
Hairline cracks in mortar joints are often just normal settling. A crack wide enough to fit a quarter in, a crack that runs diagonally, or a wall that is visibly bowing are signs that the underlying cause - usually soil movement or water pressure - is active. Those do not improve on their own.
Chimneys are exposed on all four sides, deal with heat from below and cold from above, and have no protection from rain. The mortar joints and cap take the worst of it. Annual inspections are recommended by the National Fire Protection Association - visit{" "}nfpa.org{" "}to learn more about chimney safety standards.
Both can last decades when installed correctly. Poured concrete is less expensive upfront but harder to repair if a section cracks. Individual pavers can be lifted and reset, which makes spot repairs much simpler. In Iowa's freeze-thaw climate, proper base preparation matters more than the material itself.
Tuckpointing is the process of removing old, crumbling mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar. It is not the same as painting over the joints or filling them from the surface. If you can press your thumbnail into the mortar between your bricks, it needs replacing.
Routine repairs like tuckpointing usually do not require a permit. Structural work - foundation repairs, chimney rebuilds, retaining walls - typically does. Skipping a required permit creates problems when you sell: unpermitted structural work shows up on inspections and can kill a sale or force a price reduction. The{" "}Iowa State Building Code{" "}governs these requirements statewide.
For fire safety standards related to chimneys and fireplaces, the National Fire Protection Association publishes guidelines used by inspectors and contractors across the country.
West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry is a licensed and insured masonry contractor based in West Des Moines, IA, serving the Des Moines metro area since 2018. We are licensed to perform masonry and concrete work in Iowa and carry general liability insurance on every job.
Our work covers 16 services across residential and light commercial properties - from foundation repair and chimney restoration to driveway pavers, retaining walls, and outdoor masonry features.
If you want to learn more about who we are and how we work, read our About page.
Horizontal cracks and cracks wider than a quarter are worth acting on quickly. Diagonal cracks near corners often indicate settling. Hairline vertical cracks in poured concrete walls are usually just normal curing. When in doubt, get a professional look before the next winter makes it worse.
Late April through early October is the ideal window - mortar cures best above 40 degrees. Spring is the busiest season because homeowners discover winter damage all at once. Booking in late winter for a spring appointment gives you better scheduling flexibility and a crew that is not rushed.
Small areas are manageable for a handy homeowner, but the mortar mix has to match the hardness and composition of your existing material. Using the wrong mix - especially on older bricks - can cause the brick faces to spall and crack. On chimneys or structural walls, professional work is the safer call.
For research on mortar composition and masonry standards, the Brick Industry Association publishes technical notes used by contractors and engineers. Call (515) 706-9183 to talk through what you are seeing on your property.
West Des Moines is a city of roughly 70,000 people with a housing stock that spans more than a century - from early 1900s bungalows near Valley Junction to newer subdivisions still being built on the western edge near Waukee. That range means the masonry needs here are not one-size-fits-all. Older homes near Valley Junction may need mortar matched to original materials; newer homes with brick fronts may need foundation or flatwork repairs as they hit the 20-year mark. According to U.S. Census data, about 65 to 70 percent of housing units in West Des Moines are owner-occupied, which means most of our customers are long-term homeowners investing in the upkeep of a property they plan to keep.
The physical conditions here are genuinely hard on masonry. Much of the Des Moines metro sits on clay-heavy soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, putting constant stress on foundations, concrete slabs, and retaining walls. Add in Iowa's freeze-thaw winters and the spring flooding that regularly affects low-lying areas near Walnut Creek, and you have conditions that accelerate masonry wear faster than in warmer or drier states. The NOAA climate data for Des Moines shows frost depths reaching 36 to 48 inches in a cold winter - that is how deep the ground freezes and then thaws out each spring.
We know the neighborhoods here - from the established brick ranches near Jordan Creek to the older homes closer to downtown West Des Moines. If you have a masonry question specific to your property type or neighborhood, call us and we will give you a straight answer.
By appointment only, no walk-ins.
West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry
4282 Westwood DrWest Des Moines, IA 50265(515) 706-9183info@masonrywestdesmoines.comAlways open, 24/7.
Free estimates, 1 business day response, and work backed by a written warranty - West Des Moines Concrete & Masonry serves all of West Des Moines and the surrounding Des Moines metro.
