Crack Repair
Foundation Crack Repair in Minnesota
Even a brand-new foundation can develop cracks before the home is ever finished. Poured concrete shrinks as it cures, and shrinkage cracks can form in the days and weeks after the pour — often before backfill goes in and while the wall is still fully accessible. Catching and repairing these cracks at this stage is critical, because an unsealed crack can compromise the waterproofing membrane and let water into the home before it’s even occupied. At Waterproofing Inc., crack repair is part of our new construction process on every foundation we waterproof.
Why Cracks Form in New Foundations
Poured concrete continues to cure and shrink for weeks after the pour, and that natural shrinkage can create hairline to moderate cracks in the foundation wall. Temperature changes, curing speed, and minor settlement as the soil adjusts around a new foundation can all contribute. These cracks are a normal part of the construction process — but if they’re not identified and sealed before backfill and waterproofing membrane installation, they can become a direct pathway for water intrusion later.
Our Crack Repair Process
- Pre-Waterproofing Inspection – Every foundation wall is inspected for cracks before our waterproofing membrane and drain tile system are installed.
- Crack Sealing – Identified cracks are sealed to prevent water infiltration, ensuring a clean surface for membrane adhesion.
Integrated With - Waterproofing – Crack repair is completed as part of our standard process, not as a separate call-back or add-on service.
- Quality Check Before Backfill – We confirm the foundation wall is sound and properly sealed before the excavation is backfilled, when access is easiest and most cost-effective.
Benefits of waterproofing
Exterior insulation goes hand-in-hand with waterproofing by improving your home’s energy efficiency and protecting your foundation from temperature extremes. Minnesota building codes require proper foundation insulation to improve thermal performance and reduce energy loss.
Prevents Water Intrusion
Sealing cracks before the membrane goes on stops water from finding a path through the foundation wall.
Protects the Waterproofing Investment
A sealed, sound foundation wall lets the waterproofing membrane and drain tile system perform as designed.
Reduces Builder Callback Risk
Addressing cracks before the home is finished helps avoid costly water intrusion complaints after closing.
Most Cost-Effective Timing
Repairing cracks while the foundation is still exposed, before backfill and landscaping, is far simpler than after the home is complete.
One Trusted Partner for Single-Family & Multifamily Builds
Whether you’re building a single-family home or a multifamily community, our crews inspect and repair foundation cracks to the same consistent standard on every lot before waterproofing is applied. We proudly partner with homebuilders throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin to catch and correct foundation issues before they ever become a problem for homeowners.
Ready to protect your foundation before backfill? Contact Waterproofing Inc. to add crack repair to your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Poured concrete continues to shrink as it cures, which can create hairline to moderate cracks in the weeks after the pour. This is a normal part of the construction process, but these cracks need to be sealed before the waterproofing membrane is installed to prevent future water intrusion.
The ideal time is before backfill, while the foundation wall is still fully exposed and accessible. Repairing cracks at this stage is more effective and less costly than addressing them after the home is finished and the foundation is covered by soil and landscaping.
No — crack repair is built into our standard pre-waterproofing inspection process, so it’s completed alongside our regular scope of work rather than as a separate step that adds time to the build.
A sealed, crack-free foundation wall is essential for the waterproofing membrane to bond properly and for the drain tile system to work as designed. Repairing cracks first ensures the entire foundation drainage and waterproofing system performs as intended.