Concrete Leveling

Concrete slabs sink when the soil underneath erodes, compacts, or washes away. This happens gradually over time and creates uneven surfaces that are both unsafe and unsightly. You might notice sections of your driveway sitting lower than others, sidewalks creating trip hazards, or patio slabs tilting toward your house. These problems do not fix themselves. Left alone, settlement continues and gets worse, eventually requiring expensive concrete replacement.

Several factors cause concrete to settle in South Florida. Heavy rain washes soil out from under slabs. Poor drainage allows water to erode base material. Tree roots grow and then die, leaving voids. The soil simply compacts over time under the weight of concrete and traffic. Whatever the cause, the result is the same. Your concrete develops low spots, cracks form along edges, and you end up with safety hazards and drainage problems.

Concrete leveling offers a cost-effective alternative to tearing out and replacing sunken slabs. Also called slabjacking, mudjacking, or foam injection, leveling raises concrete back to its original position. The process is faster and cheaper than replacement, causes less disruption to your property, and delivers results that last for years. We have leveled hundreds of concrete slabs throughout Dania Beach, fixing settlement problems and eliminating trip hazards without the expense of complete replacement.

Two main methods exist for raising sunken concrete. Both work by filling voids under the slab and lifting it back to level. The right method depends on your specific situation, budget, and how much lift you need. Here are the concrete leveling techniques we use.

Polyurethane Foam Injection

Polyurethane foam leveling uses expanding foam injected through small holes drilled in the concrete. The foam expands to fill voids and lift the slab. This method is fast, lightweight, and precise. Foam does not add significant weight to the soil, making it ideal for areas with weak soil conditions. The material cures quickly, often allowing you to use the concrete within hours. Foam also provides some waterproofing benefit and will not wash out like traditional materials.

The process involves drilling holes about 5/8 inch in diameter through the sunken concrete. We inject foam through these holes in a controlled manner, monitoring the lift as we go. The foam expands to about 20 times its liquid volume, filling voids and raising the concrete. Once the slab reaches the correct height, we stop injecting and patch the holes. The entire process typically takes a few hours for most residential slabs. Foam leveling costs more than mudjacking but offers advantages in speed, weight, and precision.

Traditional Mudjacking

Mudjacking uses a slurry mixture of cement, sand, and additives pumped under the concrete through larger holes. This traditional method has been used for decades and works well for many applications. The material is heavier than foam, which can be an advantage in some situations where weight helps stabilize the slab. Mudjacking typically costs less than foam injection, making it a budget-friendly option.

We drill holes about 2 inches in diameter through the concrete, then pump the slurry mixture underneath. The pressure lifts the slab as material fills the voids. Mudjacking requires larger holes than foam, and the patches are more visible afterward. The material also takes longer to cure, usually requiring 24 hours before the concrete can be used. Despite these drawbacks, mudjacking delivers effective, long-lasting results at a lower cost than foam leveling or concrete replacement.

Concrete leveling works for many different types of slabs and situations. Understanding where leveling is appropriate helps you determine if this solution fits your needs. Here are the most common applications for concrete leveling.

• Driveways: Sunken driveway sections create drainage problems and trip hazards. Leveling restores proper slope and eliminates low spots where water pools.
• Sidewalks: Uneven sidewalk slabs are major liability issues. Even small height differences can cause trips and falls. Leveling removes these hazards quickly and affordably.
• Patios: Settled patio slabs that slope toward your house cause water to run against your foundation. Leveling restores proper drainage and prevents moisture problems.
• Pool Decks: Sunken pool deck sections create trip hazards in an area where people walk barefoot. Leveling makes pool areas safe again without replacing the entire deck.
• Garage Floors: Interior garage slabs sometimes settle, creating uneven floors that affect drainage and make the garage difficult to use. Leveling brings floors back to proper height.
• Commercial Flatwork: Parking lots, loading docks, and warehouse floors all benefit from leveling when settlement occurs. This avoids the high cost and downtime of replacement.

Leveling works best when the concrete itself is in good condition. If your slabs have severe cracking, deterioration, or structural damage, replacement may be the better option. We assess your concrete during consultation and honestly recommend whether leveling will solve your problem or if replacement makes more sense. Our goal is to provide the most cost-effective solution that delivers lasting results.

Choosing between leveling and replacement involves weighing several factors. Leveling offers significant advantages that make it the better choice in many situations. Here is why leveling often makes more sense than tearing out and replacing concrete.

Cost savings top the list. Leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than complete replacement. You avoid the expense of demolition, disposal, new materials, and extensive labor. For homeowners on a budget, leveling makes fixing sunken concrete affordable. The money you save can go toward other home improvements or simply stay in your pocket.

Time and disruption are minimized with leveling. Most leveling jobs take just a few hours compared to several days for replacement. You can often use the concrete the same day or next day rather than waiting a week for new concrete to cure. Your property stays cleaner because we are not tearing out old concrete and pouring new material. Landscaping around the affected area stays intact. For businesses, the reduced downtime means less lost revenue.

Environmental impact is lower with leveling. You are not sending tons of old concrete to the landfill or using new concrete and the resources required to produce it. Leveling is the greener choice that still solves your problem effectively. For homeowners concerned about sustainability, this matters.

Aesthetic continuity is maintained when you level existing concrete. Replacement always results in new concrete that looks different from surrounding slabs, even if you try to match color and finish. Leveling preserves your existing surface, so everything matches. This is especially important for visible areas like front walkways or driveways where mismatched concrete affects curb appeal.

Structural integrity is preserved with leveling. Your existing concrete may be decades old and fully cured to maximum strength. New concrete takes weeks to fully cure and years to reach its absolute peak strength. When your existing concrete is sound, keeping it makes sense. Leveling also addresses the underlying problem by filling voids and compacting material under the slab, which helps prevent future settlement.