What it is
Cracks in basement walls are common after Minnesota winters. A thin vertical crack in a poured wall is usually from the concrete shrinking or settling, and it can be injected so it stops leaking.
Other cracks mean more. Stair-step cracks in block walls, horizontal cracks, or a wall that leans in are signs that soil pressure is pushing on the foundation. Those need a structural look before anyone just fills them.
Signs you need it
- Water coming through a crack after rain
- A vertical hairline crack in a poured wall
- Stair-step cracks in block mortar joints
- A horizontal crack or a wall bowing inward
- A crack that has grown wider over time
How the work is done
Identify the crack
Type, width and whether the wall has moved decide the repair.
Inject leaking cracks
Poured-wall cracks are usually injected from inside with polyurethane or epoxy.
Reinforce if needed
Moving walls may need carbon fiber straps, steel braces or wall anchors.
Fix the cause
If water pressure is what's pushing water through, drainage work keeps the crack from leaking again.
What it costs
Compare every service in the cost guide. These are rough ranges; the real price comes after an inspection.
Questions
Are cracks normal?
Thin vertical cracks in poured walls are very common. Horizontal cracks and bowing walls are not normal and shouldn't wait.
Can I seal it myself?
Kits can work on small, dry cracks in poured concrete. Wet, wide, horizontal or block-wall cracks should be looked at by a pro first.
Will sealing the crack stop all my water?
Only if the crack is the only way in. Many basements also leak at the wall-floor joint, which crack repair doesn't touch.
Related services
- Basement waterproofing: Keep water out of finished lower levels, walkouts and split-level basements.
- Interior drain tile: A perforated pipe at the footing that sends water to your sump before it reaches the floor.
- Sump pump installation and replacement: Replacement pumps, new basins and battery backups for storms and outages.
- Yard drainage and grading: Regrading, downspout extensions and drains that stop runoff before it reaches the wall.
Where we serve
We connect homeowners with contractors across Dakota, Scott and south Hennepin counties, including Burnsville, Savage, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Credit River, Rosemount, Richfield, Lakeville. See all service areas.