What is Concrete Leveling?

Do you have sinking, unevenness, or tripping hazards on your concrete surfaces, such as driveways, patios, steps, or sidewalks? Misaligned concrete can be embarrassing as they take away from your property’s curb appeal.  So, what are your options for resolving these issues?

Concrete leveling brings uneven concrete back to its previous level without having to lay fresh concrete. This is improved by adjusting the foundation upon which the concrete surface lays. It’s a less expensive option to replace concrete that’s been poured, and it’s often done in small businesses and private residences.

How does concrete leveling work?

Concrete leveling is a restoration technique that involves elevating concrete to its original position. This is achieved by drilling holes in the concrete slab and injecting a filler substance beneath it. The filler material fills the area beneath the slab and elevates it to the appropriate height by jacking it up.

Have you heard of the phrase “concrete lifting”? Lifting and leveling are both terms that relate to the same operation. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, concrete leveling is a misleading term. When a contractor claims they will level your concrete slab, it’s not entirely accurate. This is because the outer slabs aren’t level, and you don’t want them to be. When concrete is placed outside, a gentle slope away from your home is intended.

Mudjacking

Mudjacking is a concrete lifting technique. The contractor drills holes in the concrete slab and injects “mud” or “concrete slurry” into the holes. It’s a combination of concrete, sand, limestone, water, and other elements that varies based on the equipment and contractor conducting the task. The filler must be thin enough to pass through a hose yet thick enough to dry out eventually. The slab is lifted by the pressure of pushing this material under it. Mudjacking is an older method of lifting concrete. Because the injection material is less expensive, the procedure may be less expensive as well.

Slabjacking

Another kind of concrete lifting is slabjacking, which does not use a concrete or limestone slurry as a filler. As a filler material, two-part polyurethane foam is widely used. Slabjacking is said to be a more long-lasting concrete leveling method. Because mudjacking is made of a kind of concrete, it deteriorates and erodes in the same manner that your concrete slab does. Polyurethane foam does not degrade; thus, the slab will remain in place indefinitely until the ground beneath it erodes.