What it is
Almost every basement in Minnesota has a crack or two. Concrete shrinks as it cures, soil settles and frost pushes on walls every winter. Most thin vertical cracks in poured walls aren't structural, but they're a common way for water to get in, and they can be sealed from the inside.
The cracks to take seriously are horizontal cracks, wide stair-step cracks in block, and any crack where one side has shifted or the wall bows in. Those can signal soil pressure that's moving the wall.
Signs you need it
- Water or rust-colored staining from a crack
- Vertical hairline cracks in poured concrete
- Stair-step cracking in block walls
- Horizontal cracks or a bowing wall
- Doors or windows nearby that start sticking
How the work is done
Read the crack
Direction, width, offset and whether the wall has moved all shape the repair.
Inject and seal
Leaking poured-wall cracks are injected with polyurethane or epoxy.
Reinforce moving walls
Carbon fiber, steel bracing or anchors stabilize walls under pressure.
Relieve the pressure
Drainage fixes keep water from forcing its way back through.
What it costs
Compare every service in the cost guide. These are rough ranges; the real price comes after an inspection.
Questions
How do I tell a hairline crack from a structural one?
Thin vertical cracks that haven't shifted are usually from shrinkage. Horizontal cracks, cracks wider than a coin's edge that keep growing, or walls that lean need a professional look. Our guide explains more.
Will sealing the crack stop all water?
Only if the crack is the only entry point. Water often also enters at the floor joint.
Is crack repair covered by a warranty?
Many contractors warranty injection against leaks for a set period. Ask what's covered and for how long.
Read more
Related services
- Basement waterproofing: Find where water gets in and stop it for good, from the footing to the window wells.
- Interior drain tile: A perforated pipe at the footing that carries groundwater to the sump.
- Sump pump installation and replacement: Reliable pumps and backups so storms and outages don't flood the basement.
- Window well drainage and leaks: Drains, covers and sealing for window wells that fill with water and leak inside.
Where we serve
We connect homeowners with contractors across Scott, Carver and southwest Hennepin counties, including Shakopee, Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Carver, Prior Lake, Victoria, Minnetonka. See all service areas.