Skip to main content

Hank Yarbrough, Engineer and Analyst

Author, Foundation Integrity Authority

Who Writes the Content on This Site?

All educational content on Foundation Integrity Authority is written by Hank Yarbrough, Engineer and Analyst at JLB Foundation Repair and Basement Waterproofing. Hank is responsible for the research, writing, and technical accuracy of every page on this site — from soil science explanations and symptom diagnostic guides to repair method analyses and local risk profiles. His work draws on structural engineering principles, USDA soil survey data, local climate records, and direct field experience across the Kansas City and Des Moines foundation repair markets.

What Is Hank's Area of Expertise?

Hank's work sits at the intersection of soil science, structural analysis, and homeowner education. His role at JLB Foundation Repair involves analyzing foundation problems across two distinct geological environments — Kansas City's highly expansive Wymore-Ladoga clay complex and Des Moines' glacial till deposits from the Des Moines Lobe formation. This dual-market experience informs the comparative analysis that runs throughout this site.

Hank's specific areas of knowledge include:

  • Expansive clay soil behavior and shrink-swell mechanics
  • Glacial till composition and hydrostatic pressure dynamics
  • Foundation settlement diagnosis and failure mode identification
  • Piering systems (push, helical, slab) — engineering and application criteria
  • Wall stabilization methods (anchors, carbon fiber, replacement)
  • Concrete slab lifting and void remediation
  • Foundation crack analysis and severity assessment
  • Local building code requirements for Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa
  • Housing stock analysis by era and construction type
  • Foundation repair cost analysis and warranty evaluation

What Is Hank's Role at JLB Foundation Repair?

Hank serves as Engineer and Analyst at JLB Foundation Repair and Basement Waterproofing. In this role, he analyzes foundation conditions across the company's Kansas City and Des Moines service areas, translates technical soil and structural data into actionable information, and develops the educational resources that JLB provides to homeowners through this site and other channels.

Hank's affiliation with JLB is fully disclosed. He is not an independent third party — he works for the company that funds and maintains this site. We believe this is a strength, not a liability. Hank has direct access to field data, project outcomes, and real-world installation experience that an independent writer would not have. The tradeoff is that you should know this affiliation exists, which is why it appears on the About This Site page, in the disclosure statement on every educational page, and in the author attribution on every article.

How Does Hank Approach the Content on This Site?

Every page on this site starts with data, not opinion. Soil classifications come from USDA Web Soil Survey data. Climate figures come from NOAA records and local weather stations. Housing stock statistics come from census data and county assessor records. Cost data comes from local market pricing verified against national benchmarks. When Hank states a number, it has a source.

The editorial standard is engineer-level accuracy at a homeowner-accessible reading level. Hank writes for readers who are intelligent and curious but not trained in structural engineering or geotechnical science. Technical terms are defined on first use. Complex concepts are explained through analogy and comparison. The goal is to make you more knowledgeable, not to impress you with jargon.

Hank does not write sales copy. The educational pages on this site contain zero conversion elements — no forms, no phone numbers, no "call us today." That separation between education and conversion is intentional and maintained across the entire site. For more on the editorial standards, see the About This Site page.

What Has Hank Written on This Site?

Hank is the sole author of all educational content on Foundation Integrity Authority. Key works include:

How to Reach Hank

For questions about the content on this site, use the Get Help page. Messages submitted through the site are routed to the JLB team, and content-related inquiries are directed to Hank. For foundation-related concerns about your home, the same form connects you with JLB's field evaluation team in the Kansas City or Des Moines metro area.