How does concrete leveling work?

Concrete leveling raises sunken slabs by injecting material underneath. Traditional mudjacking pumps a cement mixture through holes drilled in the slab. Polyurethane foam injection uses expanding foam that weighs less and provides more precise control. Both methods lift the concrete to proper height. The process takes a few hours and you can use the concrete the same day.

How much does concrete leveling cost?

Leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than replacement. Exact pricing depends on how much the slab has settled, total square footage, and access to the work area. Small areas like sidewalk sections cost less than large driveways. Polyurethane foam costs more than mudjacking but offers advantages in certain situations. We provide detailed estimates after evaluating your specific situation.

Will leveling fix cracks in the concrete?

Leveling raises sunken concrete but does not repair cracks. However, lifting often reduces stress on cracked areas, preventing them from worsening. After leveling, we can seal cracks to prevent water infiltration and further damage. Some cracks close partially when we relevel the slab, but do not count on this. Plan to address both settling and cracking for complete repair.

Concrete Leveling

Sunken or uneven concrete creates trip hazards and drainage problems, but leveling fixes these issues at a fraction of replacement cost.

How Concrete Leveling Works

Concrete leveling raises sunken slabs back to their original position without removing and replacing them. The process is also called mudjacking or slabjacking. We drill small holes through the concrete and pump material underneath to fill voids and lift the slab. Once level, we patch the holes and your concrete is ready to use.

At Grover Beach Concrete, we use this method to fix driveways, sidewalks, patios, and other concrete surfaces that have settled. The process takes just a few hours and costs 50 to 70 percent less than replacement. Your concrete gets restored to proper grade without the mess and expense of tearing out and replacing it.

Signs Your Concrete Needs Leveling

Visible sinking or settling creating uneven surfaces
Trip hazards where slabs meet at different heights
Water pooling on surfaces that should drain
Gaps between concrete and building foundations
Sloping toward your home instead of away from it
Cracked slabs with one side lower than the other
Steps that no longer meet doorways properly

Settling happens when soil under concrete erodes, compacts, or shifts. Poor drainage often causes the problem by washing away supporting soil. Tree roots, plumbing leaks, and inadequate base preparation also contribute to settling. Leveling fixes the immediate problem, but we also address underlying causes to prevent future settling.

Our Professional Leveling Process

We start by evaluating your concrete to determine if leveling will work. The concrete must be structurally sound without extensive cracking or deterioration. We measure how much the slab has sunk and check for voids underneath. Most settling under six inches can be corrected with leveling.

Step by Step Leveling

Small holes get drilled through the concrete at strategic locations. The holes are typically 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and spaced based on the area needing support. We position holes to provide even lifting without cracking the concrete.

A specialized slurry mixture gets pumped through the holes under pressure. The material flows into voids under the slab and spreads to fill empty spaces. As more material pumps in, it exerts upward pressure that lifts the concrete. We monitor the lift carefully to achieve proper grade without over-lifting.

The lifting process takes just a few hours for most projects. You can see the slab rise as we work. Once at the correct height, we stop pumping and move to the next area if needed. The material sets quickly, usually within an hour.

After leveling, we patch the drill holes with concrete that matches your existing surface. The patches blend in and are barely noticeable once they cure. Your concrete can typically handle foot traffic within 24 hours and vehicle traffic within a few days. The same attention to detail we bring to driveway work applies to all our repair services.

Benefits of Concrete Leveling

Cost savings make leveling attractive compared to replacement. You avoid the expense of removing old concrete, hauling it away, and pouring new material. The process also takes less time, typically completing in one day versus several days for replacement.

Why Choose Leveling Over Replacement

Costs 50 to 70 percent less than removing and replacing concrete
Completed in hours instead of days
No mess from demolition or heavy equipment
Usable within 24 hours for most applications
Preserves existing decorative finishes and stamping
Environmentally friendly by avoiding landfill waste
Permanent solution when underlying causes are addressed

Common Leveling Applications

We level driveways that have settled near garage doors or street approaches. Sidewalks that create trip hazards get raised to eliminate dangerous height differences. Patio slabs that slope toward homes get corrected to direct water away from foundations.

Pool decks, garage floors, and commercial sidewalks also benefit from leveling. The process works for any horizontal concrete surface that has settled but remains structurally sound. We evaluate each situation to determine if leveling is the best solution or if other repairs make more sense.