Concrete Leveling
Lift sunken concrete back to level quickly and affordably without the mess and expense of replacement.
Why Concrete Settles and What It Means
Concrete settles when the soil underneath compresses or washes away. This happens for several reasons. Poorly compacted fill soil slowly compresses under concrete weight. Water erosion creates voids under slabs as soil washes away. Tree roots decompose leaving empty spaces. Plumbing leaks saturate and weaken soil. Whatever the cause, the result is the same. Concrete sinks into the void creating uneven, unsafe surfaces.
Settled concrete creates multiple problems. Uneven surfaces are trip hazards that cause falls. Water pools in low spots instead of draining away. Cracks develop where concrete bends over voids. Settled driveways create gaps at garage doors. Sunken sidewalks direct water toward foundations. These problems get worse over time as more soil erodes and larger voids form underneath.
Traditional solutions involve tearing out and replacing settled concrete. This process is expensive, messy, and time-consuming. Heavy equipment breaks up old concrete creating noise and dust. Debris gets hauled away to landfills. New base material, forms, and concrete get installed. The entire process disrupts your property for days and costs thousands of dollars. Replacement makes sense when concrete is cracked beyond repair, but not for settling alone.
Concrete leveling offers a better solution for settled slabs that remain structurally sound. This process lifts concrete back to proper elevation without removal. The work completes in hours instead of days. Costs run one-third to one-half what replacement costs. You get level concrete without the disruption and expense of starting over. This makes leveling the smart choice when settling is the only problem.
How Concrete Leveling Works
Two main methods lift settled concrete back to level. Both work by filling voids under the slab and applying upward pressure to raise it. The methods differ in materials and techniques but achieve similar results. We use both depending on your specific situation.
Mudjacking or Slabjacking
Mudjacking is the traditional concrete leveling method. We drill holes through the settled concrete about two inches in diameter. A slurry mixture of soil, sand, cement, and water gets pumped through these holes under high pressure. The slurry fills voids beneath the slab and continues building until it lifts the concrete. We monitor elevation carefully and stop when the slab reaches proper level.
The slurry mixture hardens over time creating a stable base under your concrete. Multiple injection points ensure even lifting across the entire settled area. Once level, we patch the injection holes with concrete that blends with the existing surface. The process typically completes in a few hours. You can use the concrete again within twenty-four hours as the slurry cures.
Mudjacking works well for most residential applications including driveways, sidewalks, patios, and garage floors. The materials cost less than alternatives making it the most economical leveling method. The larger injection holes are visible after patching but become less noticeable over time. Weight of the slurry matters for some applications where excess load is a concern.
Polyurethane Foam Injection
Polyurethane foam injection represents newer leveling technology. We drill much smaller holes about five-eighths inch in diameter. Two-part polyurethane foam gets injected under the slab. The foam expands as the chemicals mix, filling voids and lifting concrete. Expansion force raises the slab back to level. The foam cures quickly forming a lightweight, stable base.
Foam injection offers several advantages. The foam weighs much less than slurry reducing load on soil. Smaller injection holes are less noticeable after patching. Foam cures in minutes instead of hours so you can use the surface almost immediately. The waterproof foam will not wash away if future water problems occur. Precise control allows very accurate leveling.
This method costs more than mudjacking because materials are more expensive. However, the advantages often justify the additional cost. Foam works especially well for pool decks, interior floors, and situations where weight matters. The quick cure time minimizes disruption for commercial applications. Many customers prefer foam for its superior performance characteristics.
What Can Be Leveled
Concrete leveling works for most settled slabs that remain structurally intact. Good candidates include driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, garage floors, and basement floors. The concrete should be at least three inches thick with minimal cracking. Large cracks or severely broken concrete may not lift successfully. Settling typically ranges from half an inch to six inches. More extreme settling may require other solutions.
Some situations are not suitable for leveling. Concrete damaged by freeze-thaw cycles or severe surface deterioration should be replaced. Slabs poured on unstable soil that continues moving need soil stabilization first. Areas with active plumbing leaks need repairs before leveling. We evaluate your concrete honestly and recommend leveling only when it provides lasting results. Applications we commonly level include:
- Driveways creating gaps at garage doors or uneven sections
- Sidewalks forming trip hazards or directing water wrong
- Patios and pool decks that have settled away from homes
- Garage floors with low spots that collect water
- Basement floors that have sunken or tilted
- Commercial flatwork including warehouse floors and loading docks
Our experience leveling concrete in New Albany helps us determine when this service provides the best solution. We consider the concrete condition, extent of settling, and underlying cause. When leveling makes sense, we deliver results that last for years at a fraction of replacement cost. If your situation requires different services, we offer complete concrete repair and replacement options as well.
The Concrete Leveling Process
Concrete leveling proceeds systematically to achieve proper elevation and stability. The work happens quickly with minimal disruption to your property. Most residential leveling projects complete in half a day.
Evaluation and Planning
We start by assessing the settled concrete. Measurements determine how much elevation change is needed. We probe beneath the slab to understand void size and soil conditions. This evaluation identifies what caused settling and whether leveling will succeed long-term. If underlying problems like plumbing leaks or soil instability exist, those need addressing first.
Planning determines injection point locations and material quantities needed. Strategic placement of injection holes ensures even lifting across the settled area. We mark drilling locations and establish target elevations. This planning prevents over-lifting or uneven results. Taking time to plan properly ensures quality outcomes.
Lifting and Leveling
Drilling happens quickly with specialized equipment. Holes go through the concrete but not into the soil below. We clean debris from holes before injection begins. Equipment pumps material under the slab at controlled pressure. As voids fill and material accumulates, the slab starts rising. We monitor elevation constantly to achieve precise leveling.
Lifting proceeds gradually to avoid cracking or over-correction. Adjacent sections may need sequential lifting to maintain proper slope and transitions. The process requires skill and experience to achieve smooth, even results. Our crews know exactly how much material to inject and when to stop. This expertise prevents the problems that inexperienced contractors create.
Finishing and Cleanup
After achieving proper elevation, we patch injection holes. Concrete mix matching the existing surface fills holes flush. The patches cure and blend with surrounding concrete. We clean the work area thoroughly removing all equipment and materials. The job site looks clean when we leave.
Cure times depend on the method used. Mudjacking requires twenty-four hours before allowing vehicle traffic. Foam injection cures in minutes so you can use the surface within an hour. We provide specific instructions for your situation. Following these guidelines ensures the repair performs as intended.
Long-Term Performance
Leveled concrete typically remains stable for many years. The injected material fills voids and creates support the original installation lacked. As long as new settling causes do not develop, the concrete stays level. Addressing drainage problems and fixing plumbing leaks prevents future settling issues.
Occasionally concrete settles again if underlying soil problems persist or new issues develop. Additional leveling can be performed if needed. However, most leveling jobs provide permanent solutions when the original cause gets addressed. Your New Albany concrete contractor helps identify and correct factors that caused initial settling. This comprehensive approach ensures lasting results that protect your investment. If you need other work like driveway repairs, we handle that too.