If you’re struggling with uneven, settled concrete around your property, you’re likely wondering about the options you have for improving its appearance and eliminating the pesky trip hazards that come with it.
When faced with sinking and settling concrete slabs, many homeowners think that the only solution available to them is completely replacing the damaged sections. Luckily, with professional concrete leveling services, that’s not the case.
As long as your concrete slabs are mostly intact and are not crumbling away or too out of place due to tree roots, they can likely be lifted back up into an even, level position with concrete leveling.
When exploring this repair method, you’ll find that there are a few ways that most concrete leveling professionals go about lifting settled slabs. Mudjacking, polyurethane foam leveling, and stone slurry grout leveling are all common concrete leveling techniques that each come with their own set of pros and cons.
Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve been lifting and leveling sunken concrete slabs for over 30 years, and in this time we’ve gotten familiar with the different leveling methods and what sets them apart from one another.
In this article, we’ll focus on stone slurry grout leveling by giving you information about what it is, how it works, how it’s different from mudjacking, and other details like how long it lasts and how much it costs.
What is Stone Slurry Grout Leveling?
Stone slurry grout leveling is a concrete leveling method that utilizes a mixture of pulverized limestone and water to lift sunken concrete slabs back up into their original position.
This limestone mixture is the “stone slurry” or “stone slurry grout” that’s referred to in the name of the process.
Because the only ingredients in the mixture are agricultural limestone and water, the stone slurry grout leveling process is environmentally friendly and safe for landscaping, lawns, and pets. Portland cement is also added to the mixture if extra strength is required for a specific application.
When the stone slurry dries, it forms an incredibly strong, stone-like base for the newly leveled concrete to rest on where it can maintain its position for the life of the concrete itself.
How Does Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Work?
In order to lift concrete with the stone slurry grout leveling, the following steps are taken:
1. Drill Holes
Holes about the size of a quarter (~1 inch in diameter) are drilled into the affected concrete slabs in strategic locations.
2. Lift the Slabs
The stone slurry grout is pumped under the slab through the drill holes, completely and evenly filling any voids underneath. Once the voids are filled, the pressure from the stone slurry grout will begin gently lifting the slab back into place.
The concrete leveling technicians will move from hole to hole in order to evenly and accurately lift the slab and ensure that it is completely supported underneath.
3. Clean and Patch Holes
Once the slab is back in its proper position, the area will be sprayed off and the drill holes will be sealed off with non-shrink grout.
How is Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Different from Mudjacking?
If you’ve spent any amount of time looking into concrete leveling services, you’ve likely come across the term “mudjacking”.
Mudjacking is a distinct concrete leveling method from stone slurry grout leveling, but many people get them confused for one another.
While they work in a similar way, mudjacking lifts concrete with higher pressure, requires larger drill holes, and uses a leveling mixture made of soil, sand, and water.
Stone slurry grout leveling, on the other hand, uses a durable leveling mixture, requires smaller holes to be drilled, and uses a gradual pressure that reduces the chances of overdoing the lift or causing the concrete to crack during the process.
Read More: The Pros & Cons of Mudjacking
How Much Does Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Cost?
The price of stone slurry grout leveling depends on many factors, and it is impossible to give an accurate cost estimate for concrete leveling services without having an expert review the area.
However, here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we know how frustrating it can be not to know what to expect when it comes to pricing. For this reason, we’ve put together the following chart with average high and low price ranges for stone slurry grout leveling in Louisville, Kentucky so you can get an idea of the price associated with leveling concrete.
Each franchise has different pricing, so if you are looking for specific numbers for a franchise near you, check out our pricing page or request an estimate from your nearest A-1 location.
| Service | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Sidewalk Concrete Leveling |
$750 |
$2,400 |
|
Garage Floor Concrete Leveling |
$900 |
$4,500 |
|
Porch Concrete Leveling |
$1,200 |
$6,000 |
|
Pool Deck Concrete Leveling |
$1,500 |
$4,400 |
|
Driveway Concrete Leveling |
$900 |
$4,200 |
|
Steps Concrete Leveling |
$990 |
$2,400 |
|
Patio Concrete Leveling |
$900 |
$3,500 |
|
Interior Floor Concrete Leveling |
$1,400 |
$6,000 |
|
AC Pad Concrete Leveling |
$650 |
$1,100 |
How Long Does Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Last?
Concrete can last decades when properly taken care of, and the good news is that your stone slurry grout concrete leveling repair can last for the lifetime of your concrete, too.
When faced with settling or sinking concrete slabs, it may seem like the problem is with the concrete itself, but it’s actually usually an issue with the soil, backfill, gravel, or other sub-material under the slab. When these materials compact, settle, or erode away over time, it causes the slab to sink.
However, if the material under the slab is done settling, your slab is likely also done settling. It will not go anywhere if the sub-material is not moving. This is what makes stone slurry grout concrete leveling so durable.
When stone slurry grout is injected on top of an already-compacted sub-material, it will raise the slab and harden, forming a new, stable base for the slab to rest on. As long as the soil, gravel, or other material under the slab is done moving, the cured stone slurry grout will stay put for the life of the concrete slab itself.
Related Resource: How Long Does Concrete Leveling Last?
Best Uses for Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Leveling
Even with changes in technology, and new techniques for leveling, for a high percentage of concrete leveling jobs, stone slurry grout concrete leveling is still a great long-lasting and cost-effective way to recover settled concrete.
Our years of experience here at A-1 have shown us that nothing beats using stone to lift and stabilize concrete. It has been tried and true for over 30 years and has been used for airports, and highways, along with hundreds of thousands of residential jobs.
However, the method you choose for repairing your settled concrete is a big decision, so it’s important to research each option carefully and consult with experts to find out which is best for your particular situation.
If you’re looking for more information about any of the topics mentioned above, check out A-1’s online resource library called Concrete Academy to find content to answer your questions about concrete leveling, repair, and maintenance. Here are some related topics:
- Stone Slurry: Your Eco-Friendly Concrete Repair Option
- How Does Concrete Leveling Work?
- Which is Cheaper? Concrete Leveling vs. Replacement
Want to know how concrete leveling can help lift your settled concrete? Click the link below to request an onsite estimate with a member of the A-1 team!
