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.
Get Your Free EstimateConcrete Problem Signs
Cracked, sinking, and uneven concrete is all too common for homeowners in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Do you see your issue below?
Cracked Concrete
Cracked concrete at your home signifies a need for attention. Let Innovative Basement Authority lift and level concrete slabs.
Cracked Driveway
A cracked concrete driveway not only affects your home's appearance but also poses safety risks. IBA can help lift it.
Cracked Pool Deck
Cracked, uneven concrete around your pool? Innovative Basement Authority can lift and level it. Let us show you how.
Cracked Sidewalks
Elevate your home's curb appeal and safety with Innovative Basement Authority. Discover IBA's unique concrete lifting solutions.
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.
Concrete Lifting Solutions
Concrete lifting with PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam injections is the wave of the future that will protect properties for years to come. This long-lasting repair method is quick, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and less invasive than other methods. And it’s only locally available through our team at Innovative Basement Authority.
PolyRenewal™ Injection Foam
Polyurethane foam injection is lightweight, durable, and is able to support and lift sunken concrete back to its original level position.
Pool Concrete Repair
Get a safe and level pool deck with Innovative Basement Authority's concrete lifting system.
Driveway Repair
If you're looking for quality driveway repair, look no further. Innovative Basement Authority is the Midwest's leader in concrete lifting!
Sidewalk Repair
See why our sidewalk repair is industry leading!
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
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Michael was knowledgeable in all aspects of this business and let me know all my options.
Michael was knowledgeable in all aspects of this business and let me know all my options.
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Our technician Michael did a great job explaining our options on fixing our front sidewalk. He was informative and thorough and was not…
Our technician Michael did a great job explaining our options on fixing our front sidewalk. He was informative and thorough and was not pushy. We have worked with groundwork’s in the past and look forward to working with them again. Thanks Michael.
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The Lifting and Waterproofing Worked….the Basement is Dry! Many Thanks to Angel G., Brendan L., and Edgar. Hard Working, Helpful, Clean,…
The Lifting and Waterproofing Worked….the Basement is Dry! Many Thanks to Angel G., Brendan L., and Edgar. Hard Working, Helpful, Clean, Courteous, Professional. Highly Recommend! Very Pleased! Great Job!
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Very professional and knowledgeable. I appreciate the approach of helping to fully understand any concerns, options, and…
Very professional and knowledgeable. I appreciate the approach of helping to fully understand any concerns, options, and recommendations with expectation setting in a fact based and straight forward manner. My experience is they will offer what to do as well as provide input of what is not needed. I highly recommend Groundworks.
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Reese and Joseph were very professional and we are pleased with the results. Detailed explanation of work performed, along with answering…
Reese and Joseph were very professional and we are pleased with the results. Detailed explanation of work performed, along with answering any questions I had. From the initial inspection with Nathan, to completed project, job well done! Joseph & Bobbi
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Starting with the very thorough inspection that Kevin performed which ultimately won my business to the friendly crew they performed my…
Starting with the very thorough inspection that Kevin performed which ultimately won my business to the friendly crew they performed my crawl space encapsulation, I was very satisfied with Innovative Basement Solutions.
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I was very impressed by the company and all that was included in the free initial inspection. I got to meet Nate and he was extremely…
I was very impressed by the company and all that was included in the free initial inspection. I got to meet Nate and he was extremely thorough and informative. He was easy to talk to and I look forward to working with him in the future.
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Did a good job waterproofing our basement and Lahens, especially, followed up with completing several details to ensure that everything was …
Did a good job waterproofing our basement and Lahens, especially, followed up with completing several details to ensure that everything was done properly. Thanks!
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Basement authority stabilized one wall of my house. Very professional, very honest, communication from sales to completion. Not a cheap…
Basement authority stabilized one wall of my house. Very professional, very honest, communication from sales to completion. Not a cheap procedure, but price was well below competitor. Definitely would do business with them if needed.
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Our service technician John Anderson did a phenomenal job assessing our situation and answering all of our questions. He went above and…
Our service technician John Anderson did a phenomenal job assessing our situation and answering all of our questions. He went above and beyond to make sure we understood the root causes of the problem, and spent more than 4 hours with us on site making sure we understood everything we had concerns about regarding our deck foundation and home. He was highly knowledgeable.
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We recently used the company Groundwork’s for foundation repair and upgrade. Matt D., Adam B., and Andreas J, were extremely professional….
We recently used the company Groundwork’s for foundation repair and upgrade. Matt D., Adam B., and Andreas J, were extremely professional. They were always on time, finished the job when promised, and cleaned up the site perfectly when they were done. I highly recommend them to anyone needing high-quality foundation services!" What a great experience! Thank you, Matt, Adam, and Andreas!
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Will S , Adrien High, and Jaden went above and beyond on my contract. We very helpfuland informmative in letting me know everything that…
Will S , Adrien High, and Jaden went above and beyond on my contract. We very helpfuland informmative in letting me know everything that needed to happen and continue to happen after they left. Will informed me and was helpful when the salesman left out things i need to have done prior to their arrival.
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Have not had any work done by IBA yet but Patrick has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He was able to walk me through various…
Have not had any work done by IBA yet but Patrick has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He was able to walk me through various options and scenarios while answering my endless questions along the way. Highly recommend for anyone needing foundation work.
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Prompt service and attention to details. Very professional. Courtesy of the tech was super. We recommend these guys without question.
Prompt service and attention to details. Very professional. Courtesy of the tech was super. We recommend these guys without question.
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I had a service call today for a recent sump installation from last Summer. I unfortunately had a poor initial experience with IBA and was…
I had a service call today for a recent sump installation from last Summer. I unfortunately had a poor initial experience with IBA and was half-expecting a similar experience this time. But I was very wrong. Ricky Oudekerk came to my house on time, took time to listen to my concerns and expertly diagnosed. On his own initiative he took the time to walk me through the sump system and its parts and explained what he was testing. I am new to Minnesota and to sumps generally, and this time was very much appreciated. It turned out I needed a new pump due to a bad component, and he diagnosed it and replaced all within a couple of hours. I was surprised and relieved by the experience. Based on this experience, I will consider IBA again for a future project. Thanks so much.
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A service technician, Dave, came to our house right away and replaced a check valve on the sump pump system they installed in February. He …
A service technician, Dave, came to our house right away and replaced a check valve on the sump pump system they installed in February. He was very nice and explained to us what he did. Thanks Dave!
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Drew Greene came and checked over everything and installed a sump pump. Drew is extremely knowledgeable and very nice. I hope next year…
Drew Greene came and checked over everything and installed a sump pump. Drew is extremely knowledgeable and very nice. I hope next year when everything is inspected I get Drew again.
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Even though they ended up 3 hours past the arrival window, they were quick and efficient to raise my patio. Overall the whole process was…
Even though they ended up 3 hours past the arrival window, they were quick and efficient to raise my patio. Overall the whole process was pretty easy.
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Gregg P. and Brandon S. did a great job. Everything turned out perfectly as I expected. Mike G
Gregg P. and Brandon S. did a great job. Everything turned out perfectly as I expected. Mike G
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Anthony,David & Ghavon were out standing. Very polite and hard workers. They did a great job. Thank you.
Anthony,David & Ghavon were out standing. Very polite and hard workers. They did a great job. Thank you.
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:
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.
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.
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!
Top Cities We Serve
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.
Our Locations
1330 41st St. N
Fargo, ND 58102
6265 Carmen Ave.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
1325 S Frandsen Ave
Rush City, MN 55069