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Crew injecting poly into a sidewalk.

Concrete Lifting

If you have sinking concrete around your home, Innovative Basement Authority can lift and restore your concrete to help eliminate trip hazards and pooling water problems.

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Do you worry about walking on your exterior concrete steps, sidewalk, driveway, or patio? Are these areas uneven and full of cracking sunken concrete slabs? These issues are all too common around properties throughout Minnesota, the Dakotas,Burnsville, Rogers, Eastern Montana, and Western Wisconsin. While seeing them is no surprise, sinking and uneven concrete results in unsightly gaps and tripping hazards. But we at Innovative Basement Authority can help you rid your property of these dangers with a state-of-the-art repair method. Read on to learn more about how our team can help, and don’t hesitate to contact us for a free inspection and repair estimate.


Causes of Concrete Damage

It’s normal for soil to be wet or dry depending on the season and weather patterns. But this can lead to problems for concrete structures atop the soil. Saturated soil expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This ongoing, ever-changing process leads to significant pressure exerted on any above concrete. The concrete can succumb to this pressure and crack, sink, become uneven, and sustain other damage including breaking off entirely.

During the construction of your home, soil that is removed is often used again and backfilled around your home. This also can happen prior to the construction of concrete structures on your property like the driveway, patio, and sidewalk. If the builders did not properly compact or tamp down the soil, various problems can ensue over time as the soil shifts. The region’s silty and clay soils are notorious for significantly expanding when wet and shrinking when dry, so it’s not uncommon to deal with concrete problems like settlement and sinking because of the soil’s drainage issues.

Midwest locations including Minnesota, the Dakotas, Eastern Montana, and Western Wisconsin experience often harsh winters with snow and freezing temperatures. As the days go from warm to cold and warm again, this cycle of freezing and thawing can take its toll on concrete structures. Exterior features like your driveway, sidewalk, and patio are most at-risk because of their constant exposure to the elements. Water from snow, snowmelt, and rain can saturate and freeze in the underlying soil or the concrete itself. This can lead to damage including cracking and breaking off, sinking, and heaving.

Award-Winning Service

Groundworks, LLC BBB Business Review
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Brandon & Marc did a wonderful job making my front door entry and garage floor level again. There helpfulness in explaining the process,…

Brandon & Marc did a wonderful job making my front door entry and garage floor level again. There helpfulness in explaining the process, detail craftsmanship and cleanup was impeccable. Great company and employees!

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John Marciniak came to my home to give me an estimate for raising some concrete sidewalk slabs. John did a great job explaining the process …

John Marciniak came to my home to give me an estimate for raising some concrete sidewalk slabs. John did a great job explaining the process of lifting slabs. He was very friendly and easy to communicate with.John emailed a clear, easy to understand estimate to me.We will visit timing in April.Looking forward to working with John.

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Grant C. and Mark F. with Groundworks did a great job on leveling a section of sidewalk along side my house. They kept me informed…

Grant C. and Mark F. with Groundworks did a great job on leveling a section of sidewalk along side my house. They kept me informed throughout the process and made sure I was happy with the results.

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Outstanding work done. Great customer service. Gregg P. was the BEST!

Outstanding work done. Great customer service. Gregg P. was the BEST!

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I was very happy with the work that Andrew and Ben did on my garage floor and apron. They were very efficient and profssional. The…

I was very happy with the work that Andrew and Ben did on my garage floor and apron. They were very efficient and profssional. The cleaned up the area after they were done and the workmanship was very good. I would and will recommend them to family nd friends.

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Ben and Andrew from Innovative Basement out of Rush City, MN did a fantastic job of leveling our concrete sidewalks and driveway around our …

Ben and Andrew from Innovative Basement out of Rush City, MN did a fantastic job of leveling our concrete sidewalks and driveway around our home! Very friendly, courteous and cleaned up after the work that they did. We are extremely happy with the way everything looks and the job that was done! Will definitely be calling Innovative Basement Authority again when the time comes.

Gary & Julie Harrison

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While taking a walk this morning, I slipped and fell on the ice by the Pine City Elementary School. A VERY kind worker of yours was walking …

While taking a walk this morning, I slipped and fell on the ice by the Pine City Elementary School. A VERY kind worker of yours was walking from the holiday gas station in town and came over to help me up! Thank you so much!

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Dave Anderson did a great job!

Dave Anderson did a great job!

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IBA installed a new sump pump for us in February 2024, and we’ve had multiple interactions with their team over the past year. First, Jade…

IBA installed a new sump pump for us in February 2024, and we’ve had multiple interactions with their team over the past year. First, Jade (the foreman) and his crew installed the sump pump on 2/12/24. Then, I believe on 2/29/24, Nick and another team member returned to trench outside and connect the discharge to the city system. A few months later, another crew member (whose name I unfortunately didn’t catch) came out for some warranty work. Most recently, on 2/12/25, Devon T. completed the one-year maintenance. This review is long overdue for all of them! Every IBA team member we've worked with—including the estimators—has been outstanding. They have all been respectful, punctual, neat, thorough, and excellent communicators, keeping us informed throughout each step of the process. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend IBA and their entire team. Thank you IBA and your team!

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Had innovative basement waterproof my basement they added a pump and gutters. haven't seen water since. Would recommend

Had innovative basement waterproof my basement they added a pump and gutters. haven't seen water since. Would recommend

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Chad , Brian and David did a wonderful job. They showed me they really cared about thir work and it shows. I,m very pleased with the out…

Chad , Brian and David did a wonderful job. They showed me they really cared about thir work and it shows. I,m very pleased with the out come.

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We recently had Aaron, Ramon, and Hunter waterproof our basement. They were on time, worked hard, and completed the job in a timely fashion….

We recently had Aaron, Ramon, and Hunter waterproof our basement. They were on time, worked hard, and completed the job in a timely fashion. They also stayed and addressed all of our questions and concerns without complaint. They did an all around great job on the project. Hopefully this system will take care of our seepage issues.

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David was very informative and knowledgeable about the concrete issue I had with my garage floor. I had no idea about the consequences of…

David was very informative and knowledgeable about the concrete issue I had with my garage floor. I had no idea about the consequences of not fixing it before it got worse. Thank you to Gregg and Grant for performing the repair and keeping me informed of the schedule and fixing it in a timely manner!! They were patient with all my questions and concerns. Plus have to say they left my garage looking better than when they arrived! Thanks to all!

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Jamie from Groundworks spent 3+ hours conducting a thorough examination of our home, answered all our questions,and provided a detailed…

Jamie from Groundworks spent 3+ hours conducting a thorough examination of our home, answered all our questions,and provided a detailed explanation of two alternative approaches to addressing the water seepage in our basement. We are grateful for the education and diligence Jamie showed, and the follow-up scope of work analysis provided.

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Josh A, Greg H, and Max H, worker hard to get the job done quickly and effectively. They were proud of their work, and took care to keep…

Josh A, Greg H, and Max H, worker hard to get the job done quickly and effectively. They were proud of their work, and took care to keep everything cleaned. They were very informative about each step they were doing in the process. I highly recommend Innovative Basement Authority. Logan was amazing to work with as well. From explaining what needs to be done to me, the board, and the co-op members. I really enjoyed working with the company from begining to end.

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We just had a consultation by Logan J. to look over our basement and exterior grading; we were very pleased with the thoroughness of the…

We just had a consultation by Logan J. to look over our basement and exterior grading; we were very pleased with the thoroughness of the inspection and the extensive information Logan was able to offer us. He was up-front about what we should be concerned about vs what are just aesthetic issues, and was able to give us some guidance on controlling moisture in the basement. For now we’re having Groundworks lift some concrete pads around the exterior of our home and plan to use them to lift our front porch this summer or next. I definitely recommend getting a consultation from Groundworks (especially Logan if you can!) to get a good understanding of the state of your home’s basement and foundation with no pressure or sales tactics.

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Dave was friendly, professional and able to quickly diagnose the issue in my house.

Dave was friendly, professional and able to quickly diagnose the issue in my house.

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Adam Little came out on a Friday afternoon, stayed until well past business hours to provide us with a detailed explanation and quote….

Adam Little came out on a Friday afternoon, stayed until well past business hours to provide us with a detailed explanation and quote. Great first impression!

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Logan came out to our home to inspect our foundation. He was very knowledgeable, informative and helped my family solve our issue! Thanks…

Logan came out to our home to inspect our foundation. He was very knowledgeable, informative and helped my family solve our issue! Thanks again Logan!

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Absolutely recommend..walked us thru the whole process. We definitely recommend. Very comfortable with our future project manager Robert…

Absolutely recommend..walked us thru the whole process. We definitely recommend. Very comfortable with our future project manager Robert Palmer. Very nice. Looking forward to this and solving our problems.

Is Concrete Lifting the Right Solution for Me?

Concrete is all around your home, including your sidewalk, driveway, patio, garage floor, exterior steps, and interior slab floors. Any cracking and uneven slabs will not mend themselves. They not only make your home look unkempt, but they also are dangerous to anyone walking or driving over them. This is especially true for those with mobility issues. You have a lot to think about as a homeowner, and your safety and that of your family and guests should be a top priority. Keeping all this in mind, it is important to have a reliable repair solution installed to protect your family and home.

Before any repairs, it is also important to understand why concrete experiences problems like cracking and sinking. These and other damages can happen for many reasons, but the root cause typically is the soil underneath the concrete slabs. There are thousands of types of soil throughout the world, and our area has a good mix of clay loam in Bismarck, silty clay loam in Sioux Falls, fine sandy loam in Duluth, silty loam in Rochester, and sand in Eau Claire. Each has its own strengths, weaknesses, and drainage properties, but all can fall victim to the region’s often wet weather and erode, settle, and heave. When the concrete slabs are no longer supported by underlying soil, they will succumb to settling, cracking, and other damage.

Tackling these problems at the source is the key to long-lasting, effective repair. Outdated methods like mudjacking and repouring do not address problems with the soil. But concrete lifting with PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam injections does. This lightweight but durable material is injected underneath the concrete slabs to fill the void between the soil and the slabs. Once the foam hardens, it simultaneously lifts and stabilizes the concrete and strengthens the soil below, as well. This is generally a fast process, as the foam cures 15 minutes after it is installed. It also is waterproof and will not wash out from under the concrete.

FAQs

Call or click for an appointment. One of our Certified Field Inspectors will come to your home and inspect your concrete. He or she will then sit down with you and explain what caused your issues, how they can be fixed and exactly what it will cost.

No. PolyRenewal is a proprietary product.

Yes. PolyRenewal is made from an environmentally friendly material that is waterproof and won’t degrade over time. This means it won’t leach harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil.

PolyRenewal cures very quickly. In fact, you can drive your car over a driveway slab just 15 minutes after it’s been lifted with PolyRenewal.

PolyRenewal is cost-effective because it offers a solution that is long-lasting, unlike mudjacking and slab replacement. And your concrete will never cost less to repair than it does right now.

We do not recommend that you try to lift or level sunken concrete slabs alone. Instead, call a professional to get the best results. 

Concrete Lifting Requires Specialist Tools 

Concrete lifting may seem very simple, and while it can be in some cases, it is very often a complex process that unearths unexpected issues at every turn. For this reason, concrete lifting services often need to use specialist tools and equipment to get the best result for their clients. Lifting a single slab into place may be possible with mudjacking, for example, but if the underlying cause is a foundational problem, the issue will become more complex. 

Without addressing the underlying causes of sinking and cracking, any solution will be short-lived at best. The underlying issue will only continue to exert pressure on the newly repaired slab and lead to a recurrence of the sinking. Worse still, it could start to damage more of your property and cause wide-spread issues. Thankfully, you can rely on professionals to diagnose and treat underlying issues. 

Professionals Offer Better Results 

Foundation repair and concrete lifting specialists have all the tools they need to deal with most situations to hand. This means that you can expect a high-quality result from them no matter how complex the issue. 

Likewise, professionals have access to the best products via supply stores or direct from their manufacturers. This means that they can provide you with the most up-to-date solutions for your issue. This not only gives a fantastic result, but will essentially future-proof your home to a certain extent, offering durability as well as quality!  

Why is Concrete Lifting Needed?

Problems with the concrete around your home like cracks and uneven slabs can be harmful in many ways, including the following:

Sinking and uneven concrete

Personal Safety

Uneven concrete can be difficult for anyone to navigate, from young children and the elderly to anyone with mobility issues. Not only can these vulnerable groups easily trip and fall, but anyone could catch their feet on raised edges of concrete slabs and take a spill. Sunken concrete is a problem anywhere, but it is particularly dangerous around a swimming pool.

Cracked and sinking uneven driveway.

Vehicle Damage

Cracking and uneven concrete driveways and garage floors can not only succumb to the weight of vehicles, but they also can lead to vehicle damage. When vehicles have to continuously negotiate bumps and uneven concrete surfaces, the tires and suspension can suffer and require (frequent and often expensive) repairs.

Uneven walkway of a home.

Home Value and Appearance

Along with affecting the safety of your home, cracked and sunken concrete makes your property look bad. Whether you are house proud or not as concerned with the look of your concrete, the fact is that aesthetics matter. This is especially true when it comes to selling your home. It could be more difficult to sell, as buyers could be quickly turned off by unkempt appearances. This also can drag down the value of your home.

Common Concrete Tips & Mistakes

As experienced concrete lifting specialists in the industry, we have heard and seen it all when it comes to concrete problems and repairs. Here are some tips, as well as common mistakes, to consider in your concrete repair journey.

Helpful Concrete Repair Tips:

  • Monitor Foundation Problems: While they are not always related, problems with exterior concrete also could mean problems with your home’s foundation. Issues with both of these areas tend to be rooted in the soil underneath. As an example, if your driveway butts up against your foundation and there are sunken slabs, your foundation walls also could be cracking and bowing inwards. Keeping an eye on all problems around your home is important in catching and repairing them early.
  • Check for Problems with Drainage: Similarly, drainage issues also could be the cause of or caused by concrete problems. For example, if downspouts drain water directly onto concrete, it could cause the soil under and around the slabs to erode and the slabs to sink. And if uneven slabs are near water management systems like downspouts, water can puddle in the sunken areas.
  • Be Aware of Other Concrete Problems Around Your Home: Since the root of concrete issues like cracking and sinking is the soil, various areas with concrete around your home can be impacted. It’s possible to have uneven concrete along your front sidewalk as well as your back patio. Concrete also can sustain other damage in the form of pitting, flaking, and staining. Monitoring all areas of concrete for various problems is a good proactive practice.

Concrete Repair Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Concealing Cracks: It may be tempting to apply caulk or another sealant to concrete cracks in order cover them up so they won’t look so bad. But this is not going to solve the problem of how the cracks got there in the first place. The cracking will only continue, and whatever is used to try to fill the cracks could end up popping out of place and making the concrete look worse.
  • Installing Other DIY Solutions: In the same vein, other DIY attempts also are discouraged. You may have the best intentions, but concrete lifting and other repairs can be tricky and specialized. It’s important to contact a concrete lifting expert like Innovative Basement Authority so the issues can be properly diagnosed and repaired with tailor-made solutions.
  • Investing in Mudjacking: While mudjacking has been a time-honored tradition when it comes to concrete lifting and repair, it is an outdated method that is expensive, time-consuming, messy, and ultimately not effective. Large holes have to be drilled into the concrete to pump a heavy slurry mix under the concrete, and it takes a long time for the substance to cure. The slab and soil underneath also will end up settling again over time.

Providing Expert Concrete Lifting in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Western Wisconsin, and Eastern Montana

Pennsylvania trusts Innovative Basement Authority for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!  

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Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Innovative Basement Authority does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.    

Innovative Basement Authority Service Map

Our Locations

Fargo, ND

1330 41st St. N
Fargo, ND 58102

Minneapolis, MN

6265 Carmen Ave.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

Rush City, MN

1325 S Frandsen Ave
Rush City, MN 55069