10 Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing
A damp basement is more than an inconvenience—it’s a warning sign that water is finding its way into your home’s foundation. Catching these signs early can save thousands of dollars in repairs and protect your family’s health. Here’s what Quad Cities homeowners should look for and why acting quickly matters.
Award-Winning Masonry Restoration: University of Iowa Chemistry Building
In 2011, Bi-State Masonry received 2nd Place in the Large Projects category at the MCAA TEAM Awards for our historic masonry restoration work on the University of Iowa Chemistry Building. For context, the MCAA TEAM Awards are the masonry industry’s top recognition program—getting called up on stage in Las Vegas to accept that award was a proud moment for our entire crew.
The Project
The University of Iowa Chemistry Building is a five-story historic structure built in the 1920s, sitting on a hillside overlooking the Iowa River. After nearly 90 years of Iowa weather—brutal freeze-thaw cycles, temperature extremes, and moisture—the building was showing serious problems. Deteriorating mortar joints, failed waterproofing, expansion cracks in the brick, and damaged limestone all threatened both the building’s structural integrity and its historic character.