Concrete Leveling

Why Concrete Settles and Sinks

Settled concrete happens on many properties over time. The soil beneath concrete slabs compresses, washes away, or shifts, creating voids that let concrete sink. Once a slab settles even slightly, the problem usually gets worse because water flows to the low spot and erodes more soil. What starts as a minor nuisance becomes a significant trip hazard and drainage problem if you ignore it.

Here in Midland, several factors contribute to concrete settlement. Soil composition varies across properties, with some areas having expansive clay that shrinks when dry. Poor compaction during original construction leaves spaces for soil to settle later. Water from downspouts, irrigation, or poor drainage washes soil out from under slabs. Even tree roots can cause problems by extracting moisture from soil, causing it to shrink and create voids.

Settlement shows up as uneven surfaces, cracks along joints, or visible height differences between concrete sections. Driveways develop lips at garage entries. Sidewalks create tripping hazards where sections have dropped. Patio slabs tilt toward houses instead of away, causing drainage problems. Midland Concrete Company can level these settled areas and restore proper function without the expense of complete replacement.

How Concrete Leveling Works

Concrete leveling raises settled slabs by pumping material underneath to fill voids and lift the concrete. Two main methods exist, each with specific advantages. We use whichever approach makes the most sense for your particular situation based on slab condition, amount of settling, and access to the work area.

Leveling Methods

• Polyurethane foam injection that expands to fill voids and lift concrete
• Mudjacking using cement slurry pumped under pressure
• Strategic injection points that distribute lift force evenly
• Precise monitoring to achieve correct final elevation
• Joint sealing after leveling to prevent future water infiltration
• Same-day usability in most cases after work completes

Polyurethane foam leveling works by injecting expanding foam through small holes drilled in the concrete. The foam expands to fill voids and continues expanding to lift the slab. This method is clean, fast, and adds minimal weight. The foam cures quickly, so you can use the area within hours. Foam also provides water resistance that helps prevent future erosion problems.

Mudjacking uses a cement-based slurry pumped through larger holes. The slurry fills voids and lifts the concrete as pressure builds. This traditional method costs less than foam but adds more weight and takes longer to cure. Both methods work well when applied correctly. We recommend the approach that delivers the best results for your specific situation and budget.

What Can Be Leveled

Most concrete slabs that have settled can be leveled if they are structurally sound. The concrete itself needs to be intact without major cracking or crumbling. Leveling works great for slabs that dropped because of soil issues but are otherwise in good condition. If the concrete is severely damaged or broken into pieces, replacement makes more sense than trying to level it.

Driveways are prime candidates for leveling. The section near your garage often settles more than other areas, creating a lip you bump over every time you drive in. Leveling raises that settled section so it is flush with the garage floor again. This eliminates the annoying bump and protects your vehicles from scraping.

Sidewalks and walkways create safety hazards when sections settle unevenly. A one-inch height difference becomes a serious trip hazard, especially for children and elderly visitors. Leveling restores smooth transitions between sections and eliminates liability concerns. Municipal inspectors sometimes require property owners to fix hazardous sidewalks, making leveling a cost-effective solution.

Patios that slope toward your house instead of away cause water problems. Leveling corrects the slope so water drains properly. Pool decks that have settled create tripping hazards around pools where people walk barefoot. Steps and landings that are no longer level become unsafe and difficult to use. All these situations respond well to professional concrete leveling.

Benefits of Leveling vs Replacement

Cost is the most obvious advantage of leveling over replacement. Leveling typically costs about half what replacement does, sometimes even less. You save money on demolition, disposal, new concrete, and labor. For homeowners on a budget, leveling provides a real solution at a manageable price point.

Time is another major benefit. Leveling usually takes just a few hours compared to days or weeks for replacement. The area is usable almost immediately, while replacement requires waiting for concrete to cure before you can use it. For businesses or high-traffic areas, this quick turnaround minimizes disruption significantly.

Leveling also preserves your existing concrete. If the concrete is in good shape except for settling, why tear it out? You keep the weathered appearance that matches surrounding areas. With replacement, new concrete always looks different from old concrete for years until it weathers. Color matching is difficult and often imperfect.

Environmental impact matters too. Leveling generates no waste to haul away, while replacement creates tons of broken concrete for disposal. The materials used in leveling are much less than what replacement requires. For environmentally conscious property owners, leveling is clearly the greener choice that still solves the problem effectively.

When Replacement is Better Than Leveling

Leveling has limitations. If concrete is severely cracked, crumbling, or broken into multiple pieces, leveling will not fix those problems. The structural integrity of the concrete itself is poor, so lifting it does not restore function. In these cases, we recommend replacement as the better long-term solution.

Extremely settled areas sometimes exceed what leveling can practically achieve. If a slab has dropped six inches or more, the amount of material needed for leveling becomes impractical. Very thin concrete, typically less than three inches thick, may not be strong enough to lift without cracking. We evaluate each situation and honestly tell you whether leveling will work or replacement is necessary.

Active soil problems need addressing before leveling makes sense. If soil erosion is ongoing because of poor drainage or underground leaks, leveling provides only temporary relief. The slab will settle again once the same problem removes more soil. We identify these underlying issues during inspection and recommend fixing them, either before leveling or as part of a replacement project that addresses everything properly.

Sometimes replacement just makes better financial sense. If you plan to replace the concrete soon anyway, spending money on leveling does not make sense. If the concrete is already old and will need replacement within a few years regardless of settling, invest in replacement now rather than leveling as a stop-gap. We help you think through these decisions based on your long-term plans and budget.

Common Questions About Concrete Leveling