Stone Foundation Repair in Davenport & the Quad Cities
Old stone foundations are not a problem to be ripped out. Most of them just need the right repairs. We tuckpoint, parge, rebuild and waterproof stone foundations all the time, and Behncke has been working on Quad Cities foundations since 1948.
Family owned since 1948 · BBB A+ Accredited · Licensed & Insured
A stone foundation was built to last. It just needs the right care.
Many of the oldest homes in Davenport and the Quad Cities sit on stone. Early builders here used local limestone, which was plentiful before industrial building materials took over. Those walls have carried their houses for more than a century.
What wears out is usually the mortar between the stones, not the stone itself. Over decades, water washes the joints out, the mortar turns soft and sandy, and small voids open up. That lets in water, air and sometimes pests. Left alone, loose stones can shift and a section of wall can start to bulge.
The good news is that this is very fixable. Most stone foundations do not need to be replaced. They need the joints repaired, the surface protected and the water managed.
Stone foundation services
Tuckpointing
We clean out failing, sandy mortar joints and fill them with fresh mortar so the wall is solid and tight again.
Masonry repair →Parging
A parge coat is a cement-based finish applied over the face of the stone. It seals up small gaps, slows water and air, and gives the wall a clean, even surface.
Parging project →Rebuilding wall sections
When a section has bulged or stones have come loose, we take it down and rebuild it, reusing the original stone where we can.
Wall rebuild project →Waterproofing
We find where the water is coming from first. Then we fix it with the right mix of grading, drainage, drain tile and a sump pump.
Basement waterproofing →Support posts and beams
Older homes often have tired posts and beams in the basement too. We replace posts, pour new footings and re-support the beam.
Structural wood repair →Basement windows
Old basement windows in stone walls are a common leak point. We rebuild them, close them off with block, or install glass block.
Egress windows →When to have your stone foundation looked at
- ✓Sand or crumbled mortar collecting on the basement floor along the wall
- ✓Mortar joints you can scrape out with a key or screwdriver
- ✓Loose or missing stones, or gaps you can see daylight or feel air through
- ✓Damp walls, puddles after rain, or a white powdery crust on the stone (efflorescence)
- ✓A section of wall that bulges, leans or looks out of line
- ✓An old parge coat that is cracking, hollow sounding or falling off
What stone foundation problems look like
These are real stone foundations we have been called out to.
Stone foundation projects
Stone foundation FAQ
Is a stone foundation bad?
No. A well kept stone foundation can last a very long time. The mortar joints need maintenance every so often, and water needs to be kept away from the wall. That is normal upkeep, not a sign the foundation is failing.
Does my stone foundation need to be replaced?
Usually not. Most of what we see is fixed with tuckpointing, parging, rebuilding a section, and handling the water. We only recommend bigger repairs when the wall actually needs it.
Can a stone basement be waterproofed?
Yes. Stone walls let water through the joints, so the fix is usually a combination of repairing the joints, better grading and gutters, and drainage with a sump pump where it is needed. We find the source first so you only pay for what works.
I am buying a house with a stone foundation. Should I worry?
Not automatically. Have it looked at by someone who works on stone. We do foundation inspections and give a clear written report, and we usually include prices for any repairs. Real estate agents can see our realtor page.
Do you work on stone foundations outside Davenport?
Yes. We work across the Quad Cities, including Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, Muscatine and the surrounding towns.
Have an old stone foundation? Let us take a look.
A working contractor, not a salesperson, will look at your foundation and give you an honest written estimate.
History note: National Register of Historic Places records for early Davenport houses describe local limestone as plentiful before industrialization.