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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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Michael Bowers was our service technician. He was very professional and thorough. We had a battery alarm. He told us the tests he would be…

Michael Bowers was our service technician. He was very professional and thorough. We had a battery alarm. He told us the tests he would be performing, checked the entire system, shared the results. He asked if we had any questions, and gave us his business card to contact him if we had any further issues. He was very pleasant, polite, respectful. A++ service. Thank you, Michael!!!

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Met Nathan the Sale Representative for Innovated Basement Authority and he was very knowledgeable in answering all of my questions and…

Met Nathan the Sale Representative for Innovated Basement Authority and he was very knowledgeable in answering all of my questions and looking forward to doing future business. Thanks much for your undivided attention!

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Chad was awesome on service day. Answered every question professionally and explained the job before start. After the job was complete he…

Chad was awesome on service day. Answered every question professionally and explained the job before start. After the job was complete he explained everything that was done again and presented pictures during the process. Very professional. The only complaint I have was after getting the total quote, I asked for a breakdown of cost 3 times and didn’t receive it until the working day before the job was to start, roughly 2 1/2 months after the initial quote. I had an absurd mobility charge that costed 1/3 of my total job cost that wasn’t explained until service day. So it made it very hard to cancel with such a long wait for the work in the first place or try and get additional bids without knowing exactly what I was paying for.

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Professional and very helpful. It was late and he maintained a very cheerful presence.

Professional and very helpful. It was late and he maintained a very cheerful presence.

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Wow! I feel like a new person because my house was saved by Innovative Basement Authority who fixed the flooding problem caused by rain…

Wow! I feel like a new person because my house was saved by Innovative Basement Authority who fixed the flooding problem caused by rain getting into my basement. From the first contact, I felt cared about. When all is said and done, the terrible daunting problem of rain flooding my basement is now gone and I have to pinch myself to be sure it's real. Yes, this is a great great trustworthy company that really are heros for saving houses.

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Chad arrived on time for a one-year inspection of work completed last year. He was friendly, thorough, and professional. While inspecting…

Chad arrived on time for a one-year inspection of work completed last year. He was friendly, thorough, and professional. While inspecting the interior foundation, he noticed that I didn't have a backup sump system and provided a no-pressure quote. An hour and a half later I had a nice backup system in place – something I've wanted to take care of for 30 years – finally done! 🙂

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I called Groundworks due to a sinking sidewalk and driveway issue on my 1-year-old build that I had purchased 6 months ago. Groundworks…

I called Groundworks due to a sinking sidewalk and driveway issue on my 1-year-old build that I had purchased 6 months ago. Groundworks sent out John Maness who was the most professional, and knowledgeable inspector i have ever dealt with when dealing with companies that provide home services! Even though the company is located in Fargo, they sent him out in less than a week, and he was willing to work around my busy work schedule. Johns thorough attention to detail when inspecting my home highlighted not only the issue with my concrete, but also a few hidden issues with moisture that I did not know that I had. John was prepared with all the tools and knowledge necessary to inspect my house, and had a proposal ready to fix my issues within 2 hours! What was even more mind-blowing was the actual cost to repair my concrete, and mitigate the moisture issues that I had with my home was beyond reasonable!!! Also the after service care and service that will come with my repairs and equipment is amazing!!! This company is top-notch and they will not sell you anything they do not need. I had other questions about some things that I noticed with my foundation that i had concerns about. I was informed by john that they're not here to sell me something that I don't need and he was able to show me why the the perceived issues that I had were in fact not an issue. The whole process of repairs were outlined in easy to understand videos showing the root cause of my issues and how they can fix those issues permanently, not just a bandaid! The best part about it is they will come out annually to check their work and make sure that everything is still in working order, and that the repairs that they have made on my concrete is in fact still doing its job!! They had many options for payment to include financing at an amazing rate if someone were unable to afford the repair costs. The whole process was smooth and painless. I would 10/10 recommend ground works for any foundations issues that I had to anyone!!!! Thank you Groundworks for helping me protect my investment!

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Gregg P, Kyle W, and Tyler M did an awesome job fixing our garage floor. We had gaps about 2 inches deep in some spots and they managed to…

Gregg P, Kyle W, and Tyler M did an awesome job fixing our garage floor. We had gaps about 2 inches deep in some spots and they managed to get things pretty level. Very happy with the results considering where we started!

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Very excited to work with Ben Arnt in the near future!

Very excited to work with Ben Arnt in the near future!

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Jeremiah T. and Dion R showed up and got right to work fixing my foundation and caved in floor. I'm really thankful for all their hard…

Jeremiah T. and Dion R showed up and got right to work fixing my foundation and caved in floor. I'm really thankful for all their hard work and dedication on getting this challenging project done. They worked their tails off and were very professional. They were really respectful of my property and left the basement looking great. These guys did a great job! I would absolutely hire this team again.

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Chad and his team got it done for us! They were very professional, efficient, and responsive to our needs surrounding the basement…

Chad and his team got it done for us! They were very professional, efficient, and responsive to our needs surrounding the basement foundation repair and waterproofing work that we hired them to do. The results met, and even exceeded, our expectations. I would highly recommend them to others!

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In one word. Great!! Brandon V was our service Technician and was amazing. Very knowledgeable and answered all questions we had. Was…

In one word. Great!! Brandon V was our service Technician and was amazing. Very knowledgeable and answered all questions we had. Was probably the best home service experience we have had. Very impressed. Thanks IBA

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James and Clayton were very professional and easy to work with. Marge and Rick Salak.

James and Clayton were very professional and easy to work with. Marge and Rick Salak.

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Today Bryce Jacovetti from Groundworks came to look at a crack in the foundation of my house that was leaking water. He discovered that the …

Today Bryce Jacovetti from Groundworks came to look at a crack in the foundation of my house that was leaking water. He discovered that the water was actually coming from a city water main that broke causing water to go under the foundation. He was very helpful and worked with me to get the HOA maintenance folks over to try to shut off the water. The city maintenance folks have to come over to shut the water off because it's the city water line that is broken. In the meantime, he helped me with what are the documentation and evidence gathering to do for insurance purposes. I'm very grateful he was here to diagnose and walk me through this. Thanks again Bryce!

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Groundwork's came to my house today for an estimate of my steps and garage. The technician that came named Chaz went above and beyond….

Groundwork's came to my house today for an estimate of my steps and garage. The technician that came named Chaz went above and beyond. Showed me what was happening to my steps and garage. He explained the whole process that they would take to remedy the problem.He also help easing the mind by testing for moisture in my house. I believe they go above and beyond to help with costumer's needs and problems. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone how is having issues with foundation and more.

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We had a very positive experience with Blaze during our foundation consultation. He arrived on time and let us know well ahead of time what …

We had a very positive experience with Blaze during our foundation consultation. He arrived on time and let us know well ahead of time what his ETA was. The representative was friendly, easy to talk to, and extremely knowledgeable. They explained everything in a way that made sense and helped us feel confident moving forward. We truly appreciated their time and expertise—highly recommend!

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Dave Anderson did a great job!

Dave Anderson did a great job!

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Dustin, Ty, Ben traveled 3 hours to come waterproof our basement! All 3 guys were knowledgeable, tidy and great to work with! They did…

Dustin, Ty, Ben traveled 3 hours to come waterproof our basement! All 3 guys were knowledgeable, tidy and great to work with! They did everything they could to keep dust and debris to a minimum and doing this kind of work is is extremely difficult! All in all very professional!

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Noah and Alex were informative and did a great job.

Noah and Alex were informative and did a great job.

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Austin T., Brady P. and Sam T. provided excellent service.

Austin T., Brady P. and Sam T. provided excellent service.

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