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Which is best? Concrete Grinding vs. Replacement vs. Leveling

September 21st, 2022 | 4 min. read

By Sarah Etler

With so many options out there, repairing your concrete can seem daunting, but we’ve broken down three of the most common methods for getting your concrete level and looking good.

 

You’re tired of telling your family and friends to watch out for that trip hazard in your front walkway and wincing every time they approach it. It’s finally time that you’ve decided to do something about it.

But where do you start?

A-1 Concrete Leveling has been perfecting the art and science of concrete leveling for over 30 years, but we also know that sometimes concrete grinding and concrete replacement are better suited for some repairs.

This article will cover the pros & cons of concrete grinding, concrete replacement, and concrete leveling, and it will also give reasons why each method may be right for you.

Concrete Grinding

In some situations, grinding down the surface of your concrete to be level is the right solution to your concrete problem, but this is not always the case.

While it may seem like a fast and cheap way to achieve level concrete, there are downsides to consider when contemplating concrete grinding.

Pros & Cons of Concrete Grinding

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of grinding down your concrete:

Pros Cons
  • Can be a good temporary solution before replacement
  • Exposes concrete to worse freeze-thaw cycles
  • A good last-resort if other methods aren’t a good fit
  • Makes the concrete thinner, weaker, and prone to breakage or crumbling

  • Can be more cost effective for smaller jobs, but not always
  • Doesn’t actually address why the concrete has settled in the first place

  • Trees or tree roots don’t have to be removed for the repair
 

Want more detail on these advantages and disadvantages? Read all about concrete grinding.

Is concrete grinding right for you?

At A-1 Concrete Leveling, we typically avoid concrete grinding unless concrete leveling is not an option. 

Cases where tree roots are lifting the slab and are likely to keep growing, you don’t want to remove or alter the tree for repair, or when trip hazards can’t be solved with leveling alone are examples of when grinding may be the ideal choice. 

Concrete grinding may also be worthwhile if you’re anticipating replacing your concrete soon and you’re not worried about the damage that grinding exposes it to. 

Concrete Replacement

Replacing your concrete is a big job, especially when compared to concrete grinding and concrete leveling, but sometimes it’s necessary to get the aesthetics and functionality you’re looking for.

Pros & Cons of Concrete Replacement

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of replacing your concrete:

Pros Cons
  • Can fix the underlying issues causing damage to the concrete

  • Much more expensive than concrete leveling or grinding

  • Can customize your replacement & add things you didn’t have before

  • Very time-consuming (can take over 30 days to cure completely)

  • New concrete is a clean slate to keep up with maintenance & preservation from day 1

  • Uses big equipment that can damage yards, landscaping, & property

  • While they can form quickly, there are no initial breaks or cracks

  • Replaced slabs of concrete won’t match existing slabs, and the quality of new concrete is unknown 

  • Very predictable and easier for the repair to go as planned

  • Resettling is common in newly-poured concrete slabs

 
  • Nearby trees or roots may have to be removed or the sidewalk rerouted around to accommodate growth

Read more about the pros and cons of concrete replacement.

Is concrete replacement right for you?

Depending on what you’re looking to get out of your concrete repair, concrete replacement might just be your best bet for nice, level concrete. 

If you’re looking for a big change or a clean slate to work from, replacement is a good option. It’s also a good option if you have certain underlying issues that need to be addressed, or you’re not worried about the negatives that come with concrete replacement listed above, like time, expense, aesthetics, quality concerns, removing trees, etc.

Sometimes concrete leveling can’t be done because the concrete is too damaged and replacement is the only option. Learn about when concrete is too far gone for concrete leveling.

Concrete Leveling

A-1 Concrete Leveling has been lifting settled concrete for over thirty years, but we know that concrete leveling is not the right choice for everyone when it comes to concrete repairs.

There are quite a few significant benefits that make concrete leveling worthwhile, but there are also some drawbacks to think about when considering this repair method.

Pros & Cons of Concrete Leveling

Here are some of the pros & cons of concrete leveling:

Pros Cons
  • Easy and convenient to find a contractor & have the job completed

  • If the surface of your concrete is damaged, leveling won’t fix it

  • Your existing concrete will remain the same quality & look

  • No repair job is 100% predictable

  • Very cost-effective

  • Existing cracks or breaks won’t go away, but can usually be caulked

  • Most jobs are completed within a day

  • Drill holes used for leveling process may not match concrete slab

  • Less messy and less intrusive with smaller equipment than replacement

  • Leveling usually can’t recover sliding concrete slabs

  • Doesn’t harm landscaping, and trees and tree roots can stay fully intact

 

Learn more about the pros and cons of concrete leveling.

Is concrete leveling right for you?

As with all other repair methods, the right one will depend on the condition of your concrete and what you’re looking to get out of it.

Concrete leveling can be a great way to bring life back into your settling concrete for an affordable price and with a quick turnaround, and keep trees and landscaping intact. It’s great for people who know they’re happy with the quality of their existing concrete but want to make it safer and more aesthetically pleasing.

If you’re on the fence about concrete leveling or want to know more about it, reach out to an A-1 team member at an A-1 Concrete Leveling franchise near you.

Now what?

Now that you know about three of the most common concrete repair options out there, you’re equipped to assess what you’re looking for and consider if grinding, replacement, or leveling could be a good option for you.

We at A-1 Concrete Leveling know that concrete leveling is a great solution in many situations, but we also recognize that there are benefits and drawbacks to all the methods of concrete repair discussed in this article, and that grinding or replacement may be better for your individual needs.

A-1 Concrete Leveling offers free consultations and estimates on concrete leveling, so if you’re interested in seeing what concrete leveling can do for you, fill out the form below!

Click Here to Find Your Nearest Location and Receive a FREE Estimate

Sarah Etler

Sarah Etler joined A-1 Concrete Leveling after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northern Kentucky University. As A-1's Content Marketing Manager, she works closely with industry experts to produce content that will best answer questions related to concrete repair and maintenance practices. Sarah loves living a life full of discovery and is excited every day to see what new things she can learn and share with those around her.