Concrete Leveling
Fix sunken, uneven concrete without the cost and hassle of complete replacement.
Why Sunken Concrete is a Problem
When concrete settles and becomes uneven, it creates more than just an eyesore. Uneven surfaces are dangerous trip hazards, especially for children, elderly visitors, and anyone not paying close attention. A simple step up or down that you don't expect can cause serious falls and injuries. If someone gets hurt on your property due to uneven concrete, you could be held liable.
Sunken concrete also affects drainage patterns around your home. Water that used to flow away from your foundation might now pool against it. This moisture can seep into basements, damage foundations, and create conditions for mold growth. What started as a minor settling issue becomes a major water management problem affecting your home's structural integrity.
The visual impact shouldn't be ignored either. Your driveway, walkways, and patio are prominent features of your property. Sunken, uneven concrete makes your entire property look neglected even if everything else is well-maintained. This affects curb appeal and property value. If you're planning to sell, potential buyers will notice and likely negotiate a lower price to account for concrete problems.
The good news is you don't have to replace all that concrete. Concrete leveling raises sunken sections back to their original position at a fraction of replacement cost. The process is quick, less disruptive, and delivers results that last. Many homeowners don't realize leveling is an option and assume they need expensive replacement. In most cases, leveling is the smarter choice.
How Concrete Leveling Works
Concrete leveling, also called mudjacking or slabjacking, is a straightforward process that addresses the root cause of settling. Here's what happens during a typical leveling project.
Assessment and Preparation
We start by examining your concrete to determine if leveling is appropriate. Not all settling can be fixed with leveling. If the concrete itself is severely cracked or deteriorated, replacement might be necessary. But if the slabs are in decent condition and have just settled due to soil issues below, leveling works great. We identify where voids exist under the concrete and plan our injection points.
Drilling Access Holes
We drill small holes through the concrete slab at strategic locations. These holes are typically one to two inches in diameter, much smaller than you might expect. The hole placement depends on where we need to inject material and which areas need lifting. We're careful to position holes where they'll be least noticeable after repair.
Injecting Leveling Material
Through the drilled holes, we pump specialized material under the concrete slab. Traditional mudjacking uses a cement-based slurry. Newer polyurethane foam methods inject expanding foam that fills voids and lifts concrete. Both approaches work by filling the space under the slab and applying controlled pressure to raise it. We monitor the lift carefully to achieve the right level without overcorrecting.
Finishing and Cleanup
Once the concrete is level, we fill the access holes with concrete patch material. After the patch cures, it blends with the existing surface. The small patches are barely noticeable, especially on textured surfaces. The entire process typically takes just a few hours, and you can use the concrete again within 24 hours. Compare that to replacement which involves demolition, disposal, and days of waiting for new concrete to cure.
- Cost savings: Leveling costs 30 to 50 percent less than concrete replacement
- Quick completion: Most projects finish in one day with minimal disruption
- Less mess: No demolition debris, heavy equipment, or extensive site restoration
- Environmentally friendly: Keeps existing concrete out of landfills
- Long-lasting results: Properly done leveling lasts for many years
Where Concrete Leveling Helps
Concrete leveling works for various residential and commercial applications. Any concrete slab that has settled but remains structurally sound is a potential candidate.
Driveways are common leveling projects. The approach from the street to your garage often settles near the joints or where it meets the garage floor. This creates an annoying bump every time you drive in or out. Leveling eliminates these bumps and prevents them from getting worse. The process doesn't damage your driveway and you can park on it again quickly.
Sidewalks and walkways develop trip hazards as sections settle at different rates. The edge that catches your toe can cause nasty falls. We level these sections to create smooth transitions between slabs. This is especially important for public sidewalks where you have liability concerns about people walking past your property.
Patio slabs that tilt toward your house instead of away create drainage problems. We can raise and tilt them back to proper grade so water flows away from your foundation. This protects your home while making the patio more functional. Nobody wants to sit on a patio with puddles after every rain.
Garage floors sometimes settle near the door opening or along one side. This makes the floor slope uncomfortably and can interfere with garage door operation. Leveling restores the floor to proper grade and ensures doors work smoothly. It's much cheaper than breaking out and replacing the entire garage floor.
Pool decks and patio areas around pools need to be level for safety and proper drainage. Settling creates trip hazards near water where falls are particularly dangerous. Leveling restores safe, even surfaces around your pool area. The process doesn't require draining your pool or extensive disruption to your backyard.
Concrete Leveling Questions
Ready to Level Your Concrete?
Get a free assessment and quote for your concrete leveling project.
Call (435) 236-6876