Do you offer free virtual estimates?

Yes. American Concrete Repair LLC offers FREE virtual estimates. Send photos and brief notes, and we’ll provide a fast preliminary quote. If needed, we’ll follow up with an on-site visit to finalize pricing.

What warranty do you provide on concrete lifting?

We provide a 3-year warranty on our concrete lifting work. If settlement occurs within the warranty window, we’ll evaluate and make it right according to our warranty terms.

How soon can I use the area after lifting?

Most surfaces are ready to use immediately after lifting. In typical cases, foot and vehicle traffic can resume right away, minimizing downtime for homes and businesses.

Which areas do you serve?

We service North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, with a primary base in Dickinson, ND. We regularly work in nearby cities and across the tri-state region.

What types of concrete do you lift and level?

Driveways, sidewalks, garage floors, patios, steps, warehouse and interior floors, parking lots, and more. We also handle void filling and stabilization.

Why Concrete Sinks

Name: American Concrete Repair | Dickinson, ND
Address: 300 W Broadway St, Dickinson, ND, ND, 58601, US
Telephone: 701-690-6359
Price range: $500+
Rating: 4.9

Understanding What Causes Concrete to Settle

Have you noticed your driveway, sidewalk, patio, garage floor, or front steps becoming uneven?

You’re not alone. Sinking concrete is one of the most common issues homeowners deal with across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. While it may seem like the concrete has failed, that’s rarely the case.

In most situations, the concrete is still in good condition. The real problem is what’s happening beneath the slab.

When the soil underneath loses its strength or shifts over time, the concrete no longer has the support it needs. As a result, the slab begins to settle, creating uneven surfaces, trip hazards, drainage problems, and cracks.

Understanding why concrete sinks can help you catch problems early, avoid more expensive repairs, and choose the right solution.

It’s Usually the Soil — Not the Concrete

Many people assume that sunken concrete needs to be torn out and replaced.

In reality, the concrete itself often remains structurally sound. What changes is the ground below it.

Concrete is incredibly heavy. A single driveway or patio slab can weigh several thousand pounds. It relies on a stable, well-compacted base to support that weight. When the supporting soil weakens or washes away, the slab begins to settle.

This can lead to problems such as:

Uneven sidewalks
Sunken driveways
Settling patios
Sinking garage floors
Front porch movement
Interior slab settlement
Trip hazards
Water pooling around concrete

Even small changes in elevation can become larger problems if left unaddressed.

The Most Common Reasons Concrete Sinks

Poorly Compacted Soil

One of the leading causes of sinking concrete starts before the concrete is even poured.

During construction, builders often place fill dirt around foundations, driveways, sidewalks, and patios. If that soil isn’t compacted properly, it will slowly compress over time under the weight of the concrete.

This type of settlement is common around:

New home construction
Garage approaches
Home additions
Utility trenches
Areas surrounding backfilled foundations

Because the settling happens gradually, many homeowners don’t notice the problem until years later.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Our region experiences significant seasonal temperature changes, and those freeze-thaw cycles can take a toll on concrete support.

Water enters the soil beneath the slab. When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands. As it thaws, the soil shifts again.

This repeated movement can:

Weaken the soil
Create underground voids
Cause slabs to move
Increase cracking
Accelerate settlement

Over many winters, this natural cycle can gradually affect the stability of concrete around your home.

Natural Soil Settlement

Even properly installed concrete can experience settlement over time.

As the ground naturally compacts from years of weather, moisture changes, and normal use, certain areas may begin settling faster than others.

This often results in:

Uneven concrete slabs
Low corners
Separation between slabs
Sloping patios
Sidewalk trip hazards

Some properties experience very little movement, while others may settle more noticeably depending on local soil conditions.

Water Washing Soil Away

Water is one of the biggest reasons concrete settles.

When rainwater repeatedly gets beneath a slab, it can slowly carry away soil and create empty spaces called voids. Once enough support is lost, the concrete begins to sink.

Common sources include:

Poor drainage
Downspouts discharging near concrete
Overflowing gutters
Heavy rainfall
Melting snow
Sprinkler systems
Plumbing leaks

This type of erosion often affects:

Driveways
Sidewalks
Walkways
Garage entrances
Patios
Pool decks
Concrete around foundations

Over time, even a small void beneath the slab can grow into a much larger problem.

Heavy Weight and Daily Use

Concrete is built to handle heavy loads, but the soil underneath also has to support that weight.

Years of vehicle traffic, parked RVs, heavy equipment, or repeated use can slowly compress weak soil beneath the slab.

This is commonly seen on:

Residential driveways
Commercial parking lots
Warehouse floors
Loading docks
Dumpster pads
Industrial concrete slabs

If the supporting soil wasn’t strong to begin with, heavy loads can speed up the settling process.

Signs Your Concrete May Be Sinking

Concrete settlement often happens slowly, making it easy to overlook at first.

Watch for signs such as:

Uneven walking surfaces
Raised edges between slabs
Water pooling after rain
Cracks in concrete
Gaps beneath slabs
Sunken corners
Tilting patios
Garage floors separating from walls
Front steps pulling away from the home

Addressing these issues early is often easier and less expensive than waiting until they become more severe.

Why Replacing Concrete Isn’t Always the Answer

Many homeowners believe replacement is the only option.

However, replacing concrete without fixing the unstable soil underneath may only delay the problem.

If the underlying support remains weak, even brand-new concrete can eventually settle again.

That’s why many homeowners choose concrete lifting instead of complete replacement whenever the existing concrete is still structurally sound.

How Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Works

At American Concrete Repair LLC, we use high-density polyurethane foam to lift and stabilize settled concrete.

The process is simple and minimally invasive.

Step 1: Drill Small Holes

Small holes are drilled into the affected slab to access the space underneath.

Step 2: Inject Polyurethane Foam

Specialized polyurethane foam is injected beneath the concrete.

As the foam expands, it fills hidden voids, strengthens the supporting soil, and gently raises the slab back toward its original position.

Step 3: Patch & Clean

The small drill holes are patched, and the work area is cleaned.

Most repaired surfaces are ready for normal use the same day.

Benefits of Concrete Lifting

Compared to replacing concrete, polyurethane lifting offers several advantages:

No major demolition
Fast installation
Smaller drill holes
Long-lasting stabilization
Less disruption to your property
More affordable than replacement
Most projects completed in just a few hours
Minimal impact on landscaping

Because the existing concrete remains in place, homeowners can often save both time and money.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Concrete settlement usually gets worse over time.

As water continues entering beneath the slab and soil keeps shifting, the problem can spread.

Waiting too long may lead to:

Larger trip hazards
More severe cracking
Poor drainage
Additional soil erosion
Structural stress
Higher repair costs

Repairing the issue early often helps prevent more extensive damage later.

Every Property Is Different

No two concrete settlement problems are exactly alike.

The cause may involve one issue—or several working together.

Factors can include:

Soil type
Drainage around the property
Construction methods
Weather conditions
Freeze-thaw cycles
Water intrusion
Heavy traffic
Age of the concrete

A professional inspection helps identify what’s happening beneath the slab so the repair addresses the real cause—not just the visible symptoms.

Restore Your Concrete Without Replacement

Sinking concrete doesn’t automatically mean you need new concrete.

In many cases, the slab can be safely lifted and stabilized by restoring the support beneath it.

At American Concrete Repair LLC, we help homeowners across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana repair uneven driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, steps, and other concrete surfaces using proven polyurethane concrete lifting.

If you’ve noticed your concrete beginning to sink, don’t wait for the problem to get worse.

Contact American Concrete Repair LLC today for a free estimate and learn how concrete lifting can restore your concrete quickly, safely, and without the cost of replacement.

Areas We Serve

At American Concrete Repair LLC, we provide professional concrete lifting, leveling, void filling, soil stabilization, and joint sealing services across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Our team specializes in polyurethane foam technology, a fast, durable, and eco-friendly solution to fix sunken driveways, uneven sidewalks, unstable patios, and failing commercial slabs. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or municipality, we offer cost-effective alternatives to concrete replacement, ensuring long-lasting results with minimal disruption.

We proudly serve communities throughout the region, including Dickinson, Belfield, Medora, Glen Ullin, Beulah, New Town, Williston, Bowman, Bismarck, Minot, Killdeer, Hebron, Richardton, Hazen, South Heart, New England, Mandan, Beach, Dunn Center, Garrison, Halliday, Parshall, Ray, Stanley, Tioga, Underwood, Amidon, Carson, Elgin, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Mott, Taylor, Zap and Watford City in North Dakota; Miles City, Glendive, Bainville, Circle, Fairview and Sidney in Montana; Spearfish, Rapid City, Belle Fourche, Box Elder, Deadwood, Hot Springs, Lead, Sturgis and Custer in South Dakota. If you’re experiencing sinking concrete on your residential or commercial property, contact us today for a free estimate and let us help you restore your concrete quickly and efficiently! 🚀

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701-690-6359

Minimum Job Fee: $500

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About Us

American Concrete Repair LLC is a locally owned and operated concrete lifting and leveling company serving North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. We specialize in raising sunken concrete using polyurethane foam, a cost-effective, long-lasting, and eco-friendly solution. Our expert team restores driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, garage floors, and more—quickly and efficiently. Avoid the hassle of concrete replacement and choose a smarter way to lift and level your concrete. Contact us today for a free estimate! 🚀

Address: 300 W Broadway St, Dickinson, ND 58601