Concrete Leveling

Why Concrete Sinks

Concrete does not sink because it ages or wears out. It sinks because the soil beneath it shifts, settles, or washes away. When voids form under your driveway, patio, or sidewalk, the concrete drops into those empty spaces. This creates uneven surfaces that look bad, drain poorly, and create dangerous trip hazards. Understanding why your concrete sank helps you fix the problem correctly so it does not happen again.

Several factors cause soil to shift under concrete. Water erosion washes away soil particles over time. Freeze-thaw cycles expand and contract the ground. Poor compaction during original installation leaves gaps that eventually collapse. Tree roots grow and then decay, leaving voids. In Park Ridge, where we experience significant seasonal changes, these issues are common. The good news is that sunken concrete can often be lifted back to its original position without expensive replacement.

Concrete leveling, also called slabjacking or mudjacking, raises sunken slabs by filling the voids beneath them. We pump material under the concrete through small holes drilled in the surface. As the void fills, the slab lifts back to its proper level. This process is faster, less disruptive, and much more affordable than removing and replacing concrete. Your existing concrete can last many more years once we address the underlying settlement problem.

The Concrete Leveling Process

Concrete leveling follows a proven sequence that delivers reliable results with minimal disruption to your property.

Assessment and Preparation

We start by evaluating your sunken concrete to determine if leveling is appropriate. The concrete itself must be in good structural condition without major cracking or deterioration. We measure exactly how much the slab has dropped and identify why the settling occurred. This tells us how much lift material we need and where to inject it. We also check for drainage problems or other issues that might cause future settling.

Drilling and Injection

We drill small holes through the concrete surface, typically about one to two inches in diameter. These holes provide access points for injecting the leveling material. We strategically place holes where they will lift the slab most effectively. Then we pump a specialized slurry mixture under the concrete. As the material fills voids and builds up pressure, it gradually lifts the slab. We monitor the lift carefully to achieve precise leveling without over-lifting.

Finishing and Cleanup

Once the concrete reaches the proper level, we remove the pumping equipment and patch the injection holes. The patches blend with the surrounding concrete surface. Most leveling projects take just a few hours, and you can use the concrete immediately after we finish. There is no curing time required like with new concrete. We clean up completely, leaving your property looking great with level concrete that functions properly.

Benefits of Concrete Leveling

Choosing concrete leveling over replacement offers several significant advantages for Park Ridge homeowners.

• Cost savings of 50 to 70 percent compared to replacement
• Fast completion with most projects done in half a day
• Immediate use without waiting for concrete to cure
• Minimal disruption to landscaping and surrounding areas
• Environmentally friendly by reusing existing concrete
• Eliminates trip hazards and improves drainage
• Restores appearance and property value

The cost savings alone make leveling attractive for most situations. Why spend five to ten thousand dollars replacing a driveway when you can level it for a fraction of that cost? The concrete you already have is perfectly good material. It just needs to be lifted back to the right position. Leveling preserves your investment and extends the life of your concrete by many years.

Speed and convenience matter too. Replacement projects disrupt your property for days or even weeks. You cannot use your driveway or patio during demolition, new installation, and curing. Leveling gets done in hours with immediate usability. If you need other concrete work like crack repair or sealing, we can often handle everything in one visit.

Frequently Asked Questions