Concrete Leveling

Why Concrete Sinks and Settles

If you have sections of concrete that have sunk below the rest, you are not alone. This is one of the most common concrete problems we see in Owasso. Understanding why it happens helps you see why leveling is such a good solution.

The main cause is soil settlement underneath the concrete. When concrete is first poured, it sits on compacted soil or gravel. Over time, that soil can settle or wash away. This is especially common here in Oklahoma where we have clay soil that expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This constant movement creates voids under the concrete.

Water erosion is another big factor. If you have poor drainage, water flows under your concrete and washes away the supporting soil. Eventually, there is nothing holding the concrete up in that spot, and it sinks. This often happens along the edges of driveways and sidewalks where water runs off.

Tree roots can cause problems too. As roots grow under concrete, they sometimes create voids when they eventually die and decay. Or they lift sections up, creating uneven surfaces. When we remove the problematic roots, that can leave gaps under the concrete.

Whatever the cause, sunken concrete creates trip hazards and looks bad. It also gets worse over time as more soil washes away. The good news is that concrete leveling can fix the problem without the cost and hassle of replacement.

How Concrete Leveling Works

Concrete leveling goes by several names including mudjacking, slabjacking, and polyurethane foam injection. The basic idea is the same: we pump material under the sunken concrete to fill voids and lift it back up. Here is how the process works.

First, we drill small holes through the sunken concrete. For traditional mudjacking, these holes are about 2 inches in diameter. For polyurethane foam injection, the holes are much smaller, usually about the size of a penny. We drill these holes in strategic locations based on where the voids are.

Next, we pump material through the holes to fill the voids underneath. With mudjacking, we use a mixture of sand, cement, and other materials. This slurry flows into the voids and lifts the concrete. With foam injection, we pump two-part polyurethane foam that expands and hardens almost instantly. The foam is incredibly light but very strong.

As we pump, we monitor the concrete carefully. We lift it slowly and precisely back to the correct height. This might be level with adjacent slabs or at a specific slope for drainage. Once it is at the right height, we stop pumping.

Finally, we patch the holes. They are filled with fresh concrete and smoothed to match the surrounding surface. Within a day, the patches cure and you can use the concrete normally. The whole process is usually done in a few hours, and you can walk on it immediately after we finish.

Benefits of Leveling Versus Replacement

When you have sunken concrete, you have two choices: level it or replace it. Here is why leveling is often the better option.

• Cost savings: Leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than replacement. You are reusing your existing concrete instead of tearing it out and starting over.
• Speed: Leveling takes hours, not days. Most residential jobs are done in half a day. Replacement requires demolition, removal, prep work, and pouring new concrete, then waiting days for it to cure.
• Less mess: There is no jackhammering, no trucks hauling away debris, and no concrete trucks making a mess. The disruption to your property is minimal.
• Environmentally friendly: You are not throwing away perfectly good concrete and using new materials. Leveling is the green choice.
• Same concrete: Your leveled concrete matches the rest of your driveway or walkway perfectly. New concrete takes time to weather and blend in.

Of course, leveling is not always the answer. If your concrete is badly cracked or deteriorated, replacement might make more sense. Check out our concrete repair and replacement services to learn about your options when leveling is not enough.

Common Applications for Concrete Leveling

We use concrete leveling to fix all kinds of settled concrete around residential and commercial properties. Here are the most common situations where leveling is the perfect solution.

Driveway slabs that have settled are probably our most frequent leveling jobs. You know the problem: one section of your driveway has dropped an inch or two, creating a lip that you feel every time you drive over it. This also creates a place where water pools. Leveling brings that section back up flush with the rest.

Sidewalks with trip hazards are another common issue. When one section of sidewalk sinks below the next, it creates a tripping hazard. This is especially dangerous for elderly people or kids. Leveling eliminates the hazard and protects you from liability.

Patio slabs sometimes settle unevenly, causing water to pool in certain areas or creating an awkward slope where you want a level surface. Leveling fixes the drainage and makes your patio usable again.

Pool decks often settle around the edges where water runoff has eroded the supporting soil. This creates trip hazards right where people are walking barefoot. Leveling the deck makes it safe again and improves drainage away from the pool.

If you are dealing with damaged concrete that needs more than just leveling, explore our concrete driveway services for complete replacement options, or visit the Owasso Concrete homepage to see our full range of solutions.

Common Questions About Concrete Leveling

Here are answers to the questions we hear most often about leveling sunken concrete.