Concrete Leveling

Sunken concrete is one of the most common problems homeowners and property managers face. What starts as a small dip or uneven section gradually worsens over time, creating trip hazards, drainage issues, and unsightly gaps. Understanding why concrete settles helps you prevent future problems and appreciate why professional leveling is often the best solution.

Concrete slabs do not actually sink into the ground. Instead, the soil beneath them settles, compresses, or washes away, removing support from underneath. Several factors cause this soil movement. Poor compaction during initial construction leaves voids that eventually collapse. Water infiltration from rain, downspouts, or plumbing leaks erodes soil particles and carries them away. Expansive clay soils shrink during dry periods and swell when wet, creating constant movement beneath the slab. Tree roots can also disturb soil and create voids as they grow and decay.

Once a slab loses support, gravity takes over. The concrete settles into the void, creating an uneven surface. The problem rarely stops on its own. Water continues to flow through the gap, washing away more soil. Adjacent sections lose support and begin settling as well. What started as a minor issue compounds into a major problem requiring expensive concrete replacement. This is why addressing sunken concrete early saves money and prevents safety hazards.

Concrete leveling, also called slab jacking or mud jacking, is a proven technique for raising settled concrete back to its original position. The process involves pumping a specialized material beneath the sunken slab to fill voids and lift the concrete. At MonarchHill Henderson Concrete, we use modern techniques and materials to deliver long-lasting leveling results.

The Concrete Leveling Process:

• Site Assessment: We evaluate the extent of settling, identify underlying causes, and determine if leveling is appropriate
• Strategic Drilling: Small holes (typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter) are drilled through the sunken slab at calculated locations
• Material Injection: A specialized slurry mixture is pumped through the holes under controlled pressure
• Precision Lifting: As material fills voids beneath the slab, the concrete gradually rises back to the proper level
• Monitoring and Adjustment: We continuously monitor elevation and adjust pumping pressure to achieve perfect alignment
• Hole Filling: Injection holes are patched with fresh concrete and finished to match the surrounding surface

The entire process typically takes just a few hours for most residential projects. The area can usually be used again within 24 hours, compared to the week or more required for full slab replacement. This minimal disruption makes leveling ideal for driveways, sidewalks, garage floors, and patios where you need the surface back in service quickly.

When facing sunken concrete, property owners must choose between leveling the existing slab or complete removal and replacement. While replacement is sometimes necessary for severely damaged concrete, leveling offers significant advantages in many situations.

Cost Savings:

Concrete leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than full replacement. You avoid the expenses of demolition, removal, disposal, new base preparation, new concrete, and finishing. For a typical driveway section, replacement might cost three thousand to five thousand dollars, while leveling the same area runs one thousand to two thousand dollars. The savings increase with larger areas.

Speed and Convenience:

Most leveling projects complete in a single day, with the surface ready for use within 24 hours. Replacement requires demolition, site prep, pouring, curing, and finishing that takes a week or longer. You avoid the disruption of blocked driveways, torn-up walkways, and construction debris sitting on your property for days.

Environmental Benefits:

Leveling preserves the existing concrete rather than sending it to a landfill. You avoid the environmental impact of manufacturing and transporting new concrete. This sustainable approach aligns with responsible property stewardship while delivering excellent functional results.