Brainerd's Dependable Foundation Repair, Concrete Lifting & Leveling Contractor

Recently, we had a homeowner from Brainerd, MN reach out to us with a concerning issue: their crawl space was not only getting colder, but it started emitting an unpleasant smell that was seeping into the rest of the home. Understandably, this created an uncomfortable situation for the homeowner. After they contacted our Appointment Center, we quickly arranged for a home inspection to get to the bottom of this. Our Design Specialist did a thorough inspection of the crawl space and diagnosed the root cause of the problems – inadequate protection and isolation from the earth beneath the home. The solution was clear: install CleanSpace©, a comprehensive encapsulation system designed to completely isolate the crawl space from ground moisture, pests, and outdoor air. Embarking on the task, our production team went to work. They covered every inch of the ground and walls with the CleanSpace© liner. It's not just any plastic sheet; it's a heavy, durable, and impervious liner that locks out moisture and its accompanying woes - cold drafts and bad smells. The outcome was exactly what we aimed for. The musty smell that once infiltrated her home was gone, and the floors above the crawl space retained heat much better, making the entire house cozier. The homeowner noticed the difference immediately and was quite pleased with how quickly and efficiently we solved her problem.

Recently, our team at DBS had the opportunity to tackle a particular challenge a homeowner faced in Brainerd, MN. They'd been wrestling with persistent, foul odors permeating their home, especially noticeable after spending time away. The root of the problem? An overlooked crawl space beneath their home. During a significant renovation back in 2017, every part of their house had been stripped down and renovated—except for the crawl space, which got left behind, still featuring just a sand floor. The homeowner reached out to us after realizing this oversight was the likely culprit behind the unpleasant smells. Our process started with our Appointment Center scheduling an inspection. A Design Specialist from our Sales Team then inspected the crawl space, identifying the lack of encapsulation as the primary issue contributing to the homeowner's woes. We recommended installing our CleanSpace© system - a durable, waterproof lining designed to seal off crawl spaces from earth moisture, pests, and outdoor air. Our production team, led by an experienced foreman, arrived at the home and began the installation of CleanSpace©. The process involves carefully laying out and securing the CleanSpace© material across the floor and walls of the crawl space, effectively isolating the inside of the home from the earth below it. Not only does this create a cleaner space beneath the home, but it also significantly reduces the potential for moisture to reach the main living spaces, thereby cutting down on the unpleasant smells. After the CleanSpace© installation was complete, the homeowner immediately noticed a decline in the odors that had plagued their home. 

Recently, we had the privilege of helping a homeowner in Brainerd, MN, who was fed up with water wreaking havoc in their boathouse. For years, they tried everything — paint, caulking, even snaking the drain leading to the lake — but nothing provided more than a temporary fix. Every attempt was met with the same frustrating outcome: water finding its way back in, threatening the storage space and causing deterioration to the block structure. The idea of stepping through water just to grab a kayak was no longer acceptable. They needed a permanent solution. That's where we stepped in. After contacting our Customer Care team, one of our System Design Specialists visited the home for a thorough inspection. The culprit? Ineffective water management around and inside the boathouse. Our recommended solution? Installing WaterGuard®, our reliable basement waterproofing system designed to permanently address water intrusion without the hassle. Our production team, consisting of a skilled foreman and experienced installers, got to work and transformed the problematic boathouse into a dry, functional space. WaterGuard®, installed around the interior perimeter, now efficiently captures any wall seepage or floor leaks, directing the water safely away, protecting the boathouse from any further damage. The outcome? The homeowner was overjoyed. For the first time in years, they could access their boathouse without wading through water, providing peace of mind that the space and their stored items would stay dry and safe. It was a gratifying project for our team; another example of our commitment to provide lasting solutions and remarkable customer experiences. No more temporary fixes — just a permanent, dry solution.

This homeowner in Brainerd, MN, noticed persistent, unpleasant smells that seemed to magnify whenever they returned home after being away. This issue traced back to a massive renovation they undertook in 2017, where the house was gutted to the studs, leaving the sand floor of the crawl space unaddressed. This crawl space repair project perfectly illustrates how we live up to our mission of providing a remarkable customer experience alongside reliable and lasting solutions.

A System Design Specialist visited the home and performed a thorough inspection to understand the underlying problems the homeowners were facing. It became transparent that the unsealed sand floor was allowing moisture and odors to infiltrate the house, creating an undesirable living environment. We installed CleanSpace®, a high-quality vapor barrier that encapsulates an area to block moisture leakage, over the sand floor crawl space. Additionally, to tackle the humidity and remnant odors effectively, we brought in SaniDry™ Sedona, the industry's leading dehumidifier, ensuring the air was clean and fresh year-round. By sealing off the crawl space from the earth and controlling the humidity inside it, the once persistent odors ceased to be a problem. The homeowners reported a significantly fresher and more pleasant home environment immediately after.

This homeowner contacted DBS after noticing settling and cracking in the rear of their garage and basement beneath it. With the garage floor made of concrete spanning over the basement, and the property located on the Mississippi River with limited access due to a retaining wall drop-off, the challenge lies in stabilizing and lifting the rear wall of the garage.

When our Design Specialist went out of the property, he recommended the installation of push piers the stabilize and lift the rear wall of the garage. Despite challenges in access and landscaping, our crew went out to the property and successfully installed 8 push piers that were 12-50' below the foundation. Once the project was complete, the homeowner was happy with the final outcome!

This homeowner contacted DBS after noticing settling and cracking in the rear of their garage and basement beneath it. With the garage floor made of concrete spanning over the basement, and the property located on the Mississippi River with limited access due to a retaining wall drop-off, the challenge lies in stabilizing and lifting the rear wall of the garage. Our Design Specialist, Mike Horvath, went out to the property and recommended our concrete repair services.

Our crew went out to the property and installed our PolyLevel® filling underneath the front apron to help lift the concrete, and then went in with our NexusPro® sealant to seal up the crack resulting in a stable rear wall and a level, sealed garage apron.

This homeowner contacted DBS after noticing settling and cracking in the garage rear and basement beneath it. With the property situated by the Mississippi River and an 8-foot drop off with two tiers of retaining walls, this was a result of soft soil. After our design specialist went out to the property, they recommended installing push piers to stabilize the footing and lift the wall.

When our crew went out to the property, they installed 8 push piers with low-profile brackets, and hand-digging pier locations due to grading and retaining wall constraints. After lifting and stabilizing the structure the landscaping was restored and the homeowner was happy with the results.

This homeowner contacted DBS to address ice dams and prevent further damage to their house in the future. When our Design Specialist went out to the property, they inspected the attic and recommended a hybrid system for living areas because the heat was irregular.

When our production crew went out to the property, they installed our Dr. Energy Saver insulation system in the attic - spray foam and TruSoft™ cellulose.

This homeowner in Brainerd, Minnesota, contacted DBS after they noticed that their basement was collecting moisture as it was seeping up through the floor and coming to in were the foundation was meeting the wall. The customer stated that they would love to waterproof the basement so it could become a usable space.

After our Design Specialist, Tristan Akason, came out to the property and did the free, no obligation, estimate he recommended our waterproofing services. After the installment, the customer is now enjoying a dry basement with our UltraSump®system and SaniDry™ sedona!

This project in Brainerd, Minnesota, aimed to address foundation issues in a brick house due to settling. The existing foundation comprised stone and brick, with an 8 ft perimeter crawlspace in the basement, posing challenges for access. The west wall, particularly the bump out, exhibited significant settling, and the house featured several stained glass windows that required a careful and precise approach. The customer's goal was to stabilize the foundation and lift the porch. The solution involved installing 6 helical piers with low-profile brackets: 4 under a porch with a concrete foundation and 2 under a bump out with a stone foundation. Additionally, 8 feet of angle iron spanned the distance of the bump out. A brick pillar in the corner was also adjusted. The customer was satisfied with the results, and the project was able grateful to use our financing program to fund the project.

This home in Brainerd, MN was suffering from insufficient insulation. The owner was looking to improve this problem in order to increase the value of their home. 

Design Specialist Zach Lackner went out to the home to conduct a free, no-obligation estimate for the owner. After a careful inspection, a quote was provided for our insulation services. 

DBS offers multiple solutions to insulation problems. One of these solutions is cellulose insulation. This blown insulation is made up of recycled, fire-resistant material. The insulation can be built up or down to match the R-value needed in your home.

Reach out to DBS today for your free, no-obligation estimate!