What Is Concrete Leveling

Experienced Concrete Levelers lifts sunken concrete slabs back to their original position. It is less costly than replacement concrete, but requires the skill and experience of a professional contractor to ensure an attractive and long-lasting result.

Slabs of concrete sink when their foundation shifts and compresses, leaving a hole underneath the surface. Without upward pressure from the soil, the concrete settles downward into the void and can eventually crack and break. This is a common problem in the New York area, especially with older homes that sit on expansive clay soils.

When a slab sinks, it becomes unsafe to walk on or use. This can cause trip hazards and damage curb appeal. Leveling the slab with concrete leveling fills the void and lifts the surface to its original height, making it safe for pedestrians and vehicles. It also helps prevent further damage to the concrete by preventing water from pooling on the surface and seeping into the subsurface.

If you’ve noticed that a slab of concrete has become uneven, it’s important to have the issue addressed as soon as possible. Uneven concrete isn’t just unsightly, but it can also lead to structural issues in your home and create drainage problems. Concrete leveling is a quick and cost-effective solution that can prevent further damage to your home and improve its appearance.

There are two main ways to level a sunken slab of concrete: mudjacking and polyleveling. Mudjacking, which is also known as slab jacking or grout pumping, uses a mixture of dirt, Portland cement and sand to “jack” the concrete up from below. Large holes are drilled in the slab, and the slurry is then pumped under the concrete to force it upwards with hydraulic pressure.

Mudjacking is messy, requires a lot of cleanup and can damage the concrete as it moves. It is also only a temporary solution as the slurry can wash away with rain, bringing the slab back down to its original position. A more modern and effective method is polyleveling, which uses a high-density polyurethane foam to fill the void beneath a sunken slab.

When professional contractors use polyleveling, they drill small holes into the sunken concrete and inject a highly-expansive foam solution into the soil. This foam will expand and fill the voids, lifting and stabilizing the slab of concrete. This method is best for load-bearing concrete areas such as basement floors, garage floors and driveways, while patios and outdoor kitchens are better suited to the mudjacking method.

Both mudjacking and polyleveling are best performed by professional concrete contractors with the right equipment, training and experience. Attempting to DIY these repairs can lead to disastrous results and cause further damage to your home and its surrounding concrete structures. A professional concrete contractor can identify the cause of the uneven concrete and recommend the right method for your specific situation. Schedule a free non-invasive concrete inspection and estimate to learn more about concrete leveling today!