Uneven Concrete Can Be Dangerous to Pedestrians and Vehicles

If you have uneven concrete around your home, it can be both an eyesore and dangerous to pedestrians and vehicles. Luckily, there are solutions that will fix the problem without the cost and hassle of tearing it out and replacing it.

One option is concrete leveling. This method involves drilling holes into the concrete and then pumping a lifting material into those holes to lift the slab back to its original position.

Cost

Uneven concrete isn’t just an eyesore, it can be dangerous to pedestrians and vehicles. It’s also costly. A slab replacement can cost as much as 50 percent more than a concrete leveling repair, because the old concrete has to be removed, forms must be built, and new concrete has to be poured. Concrete leveling takes less time – often less than half of a day.

Mudjacking and polyurethane foam jacking are the two main ways to raise sunken concrete. Mudjacking costs about $3 to $6 per square foot, while foam jacking usually runs $5 to $25.

Mudjacking works well on smaller slabs of concrete, but it can’t lift load-bearing walls that are sagging. It also only lasts about eight to ten years, which is why most people opt for a longer-lasting solution like polylevel concrete lifting. This method corrects the soil gaps underneath your slab, so it’s more durable than mudjacking. It’s also easier on the wallet than slab replacement.

Time

Concrete Leveling Contractors Avon Lake is a quick, effective way to repair sunken, uneven concrete surfaces and structures. It can be done in a fraction of the time it takes to pour new concrete, and is far less disruptive than digging up and replacing existing slabs. Additionally, it addresses the underlying cause of sunken concrete, so it is much more dependable than replacing a concrete surface that simply lays on top of the soil foundation.

A traditional repair method, mudjacking, uses a mixture of cement, water and sand to “jack" the sunken concrete up from underneath. It can be expensive, require extensive cleanup and may not hold up as well after the ground freezes.

Polyjacking, on the other hand, uses polyurethane foam to lift and stabilize the concrete slabs. It requires smaller holes to be drilled in the concrete, and the foam expands under the concrete, lifting it. It is less expensive than mudjacking, and can be used on load-bearing surfaces like basement floors, garages, driveways and patios.

Safety

A slab that isn’t level isn’t just unsightly. It also creates tripping hazards that can lead to serious injuries. Luckily, concrete leveling can lift uneven slabs and return them to their original positions without the need for replacement.

The process of leveling concrete involves drilling small holes into the affected area. A mud or cement mixture is then pumped into these holes, closing any voids and stabilizing the soil beneath the slab. Alternatively, some companies use polyurethane foam in the injection process, which is called “poly jacking.” The foam expands and lifts the slab.

While these methods can address uneven or sinking concrete, they may not work if there is structural damage or high moisture levels. The latter can cause the leveling compound to degrade over time, so it is important to test the slab for moisture before applying it. Otherwise, the repairs won’t last as long as they should. Also, it’s important to take measures to protect the surrounding landscape.

Appearance

It is important to level concrete that has sunk or settled to prevent trip hazards and to keep the value of the property intact. It also reduces the risk of water damage to the foundation of the home.

Concrete leveling is done using a mixture of cement and either mud, foam or another type of material. It is pumped through holes that are drilled into the slab and fills the void under it, stabilizing loose soil to lift the sunken concrete back to its original position.

Another option for repairing uneven concrete is grinding the concrete. However, this method only fixes the cosmetic appearance and does not address the underlying problem of uneven concrete. It can also cost more than concrete leveling. Concrete leveling is a quick and affordable solution that will prevent safety hazards and water damage to your home. It can be completed in a matter of hours and is ready to use immediately.