Whether you notice your front steps starting to shift to one side, deck furniture looking like it may creep off a tilting patio, or maybe your walkway or driveway becoming uneven, sinking concrete is tough to ignore. These issues are often signs of problems underneath your concrete, which might not be solved by simply replacing the slab. Learn how concrete leveling may be the solution you need to put your concrete back in place.
What Is Concrete Leveling, and Does Concrete Leveling Work?
Concrete slabs sink and may become uneven over time for various reasons. Common causes include water washing away the soil holding up a slab. Other times, soil or tree roots expand or contract, moving slabs along with them.
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Concrete leveling is a process used to fill voids under sagging concrete slabs, including steps, porches, patios, sidewalks, and driveways. The process involves drilling holes into the existing concrete and pumping a leveling material through those holes and underneath the slab. The material stabilizes loose soil and raises the level of the sunken slab back to where it belongs.
When Do You Need Concrete Leveling?
Level surfaces are especially important for concrete driveways, walkways, and sidewalks, where uneven slabs could cause people to trip or catch the wheels of scooters and bicycles. You may also want to fix sinking outdoor patios where you spend a lot of time. Tearing up and replacing a slab can be messy and time-consuming—not to mention tough on your lawn and landscaping—so you may prefer concrete lifting if conditions are right.
Often, you’ll be able to see where a section of the concrete slab is no longer at the same level as the slabs next to it. Any slab that has settled at least a quarter-inch below its original level may be able to be fixed using concrete leveling. You may also notice water issues in your basement when it rains, which can sometimes be caused by concrete patios settling next to your house.
Other signs are less obvious. Voids can develop under concrete without causing immediate problems. Look for slabs that rock when driven over or stepped on or make hollow sounds when tapped.
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When Not to Use Concrete Leveling
If your concrete slab is cracked in several pieces that are each smaller than a square foot, concrete leveling is unlikely to fix the issue. This type of damage requires a full replacement.
Concrete Leveling Methods
There are two main methods to level concrete: mudjacking and poly leveling. You can hire professional concrete leveling services to use either method for your project. Below are the main differences between the two methods and what projects they’re best suited for.
Mudjacking
Mudjacking involves “jacking” concrete up from below using a mud-like mixture of cement, water, soil, and sand. First, several holes about two inches wide are drilled into the existing concrete slab. The material is then injected through the holes to lift the slab from below to its original height.
Pros of Mudjacking
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Costs less than poly leveling or a complete slab replacement
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Doesn’t require heavy equipment or large crews
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Lasts 5-10 years
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Works for intact walkways, patios, steps, and driveways
Cons of Mudjacking
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Takes up to 48 hours to cure
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Drilling large holes can cause cracks in your slab
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Material is not waterproof and can deteriorate
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Material is very heavy and can worsen sinking
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Won’t work for garage floors, basements, foundation repair, pools, or heavily damaged slabs
Poly Leveling
The other concrete leveling method is poly leveling, or polyurethane foam concrete raising. Like in mudjacking, small holes are drilled into the slab. Instead of cement and mud, however, poly leveling injects a polyurethane foam that expands to level the sunken concrete. You may hear this method called “slabjacking,” though that term is also sometimes used for mudjacking.
Pros of Poly Leveling
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Doesn’t require heavy equipment or large crews
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Lasts at least 10 years
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Cures in under an hour
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Holes required are smaller, just 5/8 inch in diameter
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Waterproof foam is extremely lightweight
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Works for garage floors, basements, foundation problems, and pools
Cons of Poly Leveling
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Costs more than mudjacking
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Won’t work on heavily damaged slabs
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Entry points of holes on the slab surface may be a different color than the original material
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What Is Self-Leveling Concrete?
Self-leveling concrete consists of polymer-modified cement. It is relatively easy to use for most homeowners because it’s quick to dry, doesn’t require as much water, and is suitable for concrete, plywood, and tiles. The finished look is smooth and flat and an excellent option for repairing concrete floors without structural damage.
However, self-leveling concrete tends to be more expensive than regular concrete, so most people use it to repair small spaces or for DIY projects when working with concrete.
Concrete Leveling vs. Replacement
“There are some cases where concrete leveling doesn’t always work, and it’s not a foolproof method,” says Matt DiBara, Expert Review Board member and owner of DiBara Masonry. “In these instances, the slab isn’t lifted high enough or breaks after being raised, which then requires a slab replacement.”
Concrete leveling works with the existing concrete, but concrete replacement tears out the existing concrete to pour a new foundation or slab. Although concrete replacement is a costlier process, it’s recommended to go this route if the existing concrete has broken into several smaller pieces, the existing concrete is badly in need of repair, or there is structural damage.
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Concrete Leveling Cost
If your slab is intact, concrete leveling is often better than a full slab replacement. For a replacement, you’ll end up paying to remove the old slab and dispose of materials, deliver new concrete, and then have a new slab poured.
Breaking up and removing the existing concrete costs around $2 to $6 per square foot. You’ll then pay an additional $4.50 to $10.50 per square foot for the cost of a new concrete slab, bringing the total cost to around $6.50 to $16.50 per square foot.
Compare these costs to concrete leveling. Mudjacking prices are the least expensive option at around $3 to $6 per square foot. For poly leveling, you’ll spend anywhere from $5 to $25 per square foot. Before you decide, consider calling in a local concrete mudjacking service to get a quote and ensure the underlying issues causing your concrete to sink are properly addressed.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor