IN THIS ARTICLE
Is your settled concrete cracked or crumbling? Find out if your concrete is past the point of saving with concrete leveling.
If you’re looking for a way to bring your sunken or settling concrete back to life, concrete leveling just might be the perfect solution for you. Concrete leveling is a quick and cost-effective way to repair settling concrete, however, it doesn’t do the trick in all cases.
Over the last 30+ years, A-1 Concrete Leveling has become one of the top concrete repair services in the US. With all of this experience, we’ve gotten to know when concrete is a good candidate for concrete leveling and when it’s better suited for replacement.
This article will cover the basics of concrete leveling, give situations where concrete leveling doesn’t work, and describe the best-case scenario for concrete leveling repairs.
Concrete Leveling 101
To level an uneven concrete slab, small holes are drilled and pumped with a stone-slurry grout solution. This solution spreads out under the slab and provides the necessary pressure to lift it back into its level position, then cures in place creating a stable base for the concrete slab.
It is important to understand how concrete leveling works, as you’ll then be able to see why sometimes concrete leveling isn’t the right tool for the job.
Situations Where Concrete Leveling Doesn’t Work
Concrete leveling typically does not work in the following situations:
1. Concrete Slab is Crumbling
If your concrete is falling apart or crumbling like in the photo, it can’t be recovered with concrete leveling.
Because the pressure from the leveling solution below the slab won’t have anything to push up, concrete leveling in this case wouldn’t make the situation any better.
2. Concrete Slabs Have Multiple Small Breaks Throughout
If your concrete has multiple small breaks throughout the problem area, typically less than 1 square foot each, it can’t be recovered with concrete leveling. This photo gives an example of concrete with multiple small breaks.
When concrete slabs with more than just two or three small breaks are leveled, it’s like putting together a puzzle with lots of different pieces. Because each piece is separate, they each would have to be lifted individually, making it difficult to accurately level the entire surface.
3. Extreme Tree Root Issues
If tree roots are affecting your concrete, it may be trickier to level it. When tree roots have the slab too far out of place, it’s impossible to level the slab and create an even grade or slope. Also, if the tree roots continue to grow, the slab can keep lifting, even after being professionally leveled.
If you are interested in concrete leveling but not sure if tree roots will be an issue, we suggest sending us photos of the problem area when you request an estimate.
Summary
Now that you know which types of concrete can’t be saved with concrete leveling, you can take a look at your own home and consider whether or not concrete leveling may be a good solution for you.
Concrete leveling repairs come in all shapes and sizes, and a qualified concrete leveling professional will be able to assess any situation and determine if the factors mentioned in this article are at play, or if the settled slab can be recovered rather than replaced.
Still not sure if you’re a good candidate for concrete leveling? Click the link below to submit photos of your problem, and an A-1 Concrete Leveling team member will let you know if a consultation and estimate is the right next step for you.
Check out more of our concrete leveling resources from our Learning Center:
