Get to know whether or not concrete lifting is the right solution for your settled concrete.
Settling sidewalk slabs, uneven front steps, and irregular driveway panels are just a few examples of the many common problems homeowners everywhere face when it comes to their concrete.
If your concrete has sunken or heaved out of place, you’re likely struggling with more than just bad aesthetics. Trip hazards, water drainage issues, and additional damage are all risks that come with uneven concrete.
Fortunately, there is a way to restore your concrete and alleviate these risks without the need to tear it out and replace it. With a process called concrete lifting, the settled slabs can be raised back up into their original position.
After over 30 years in business here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve helped countless customers transform their uneven concrete with our professional lifting services.
In order to help you learn more about concrete lifting, we’ve created this guide that will walk you through what concrete lifting is, how it works, the types of concrete lifting available, and how much concrete lifting costs.
What Is Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting, also known as “concrete leveling”, is the process of raising a sunken or settled concrete slab by injecting a material beneath it. Once the material fills any voids and lifts the concrete, it solidifies or dries to create a strong, stable base.
There are different concrete lifting methods available, including:
- Stone slurry grout concrete lifting
- Polyurethane foam concrete lifting
- Mudjacking
How Does Concrete Lifting Work?
Although difficult to perform and perfect without the right tools and training, concrete lifting or leveling is a straightforward process that follows three basic steps no matter the method being used:
- Holes are drilled in strategic locations throughout the affected concrete slabs.
- A compound is pumped through the holes and underneath the slab where it fills any voids and creates enough backpressure to cause the concrete to rise.
- Once the concrete is in the proper place, the drill holes are patched.
Types of Concrete Lifting
As mentioned before, there are three main methods that follow the same general steps in order to lift concrete, but they differ when it comes to the material they use and the size of the drill holes.
Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Lifting
Lifting Compound
A mixture of crushed agricultural limestone and water, which forms a strong, dense base under newly-lifted concrete, is used in the stone slurry grout concrete lifting method. Sometimes Portland cement is added to the mix when extra strength is needed.
Drill Hole Size
The drill hole size needed for stone slurry grout leveling is around 1 inch in diameter, or about the size of a quarter.
Related Resource: The Pros & Cons of Stone Slurry Grout Leveling
Polyurethane Foam Concrete Lifting
Lifting Compound
The foam concrete leveling/lifting method uses a two-part polyurethane foam that, when injected under the concrete slab, combines and undergoes a chemical reaction that causes the foam to expand. That expansion puts pressure on the settled slab and causes it to rise.
Drill Hole Size
The drill hole size needed for foam concrete leveling is around ⅝ inches in diameter.
Related Resource: The Pros & Cons of Foam Concrete Leveling
Mudjacking
Lifting Compound
Mudjacking uses a mixture of sand, soil, and water pumped at a high pressure to lift settled concrete. Portland cement can also be added to this mixture for additional strength.
Drill Hole Size
In order to allow for the higher pumping pressure needed for the mudjacking process, the drill holes must be bigger. Mudjacking drill holes are usually 2 inches in diameter.
Related Resource: The Pros & Cons of Mudjacking
How Much Does Concrete Lifting Cost?
| 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 |
While it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly how much concrete lifting will cost until an expert reviews the area and its unique variables, we know that having an idea of pricing can help you decide whether or not concrete lifting may be for you.
The chart above gives an idea of price ranges you may be able to expect for your concrete lifting project, based on stone slurry concrete lifting prices in Louisville, Kentucky.
Pricing Variables
The complexity of the problem at hand, well as other factors, influence how much or little a concrete lifting repair will cost. In addition, these price ranges may look different in areas where the cost of living is higher or lower than in Lousiville.
As a general rule of thumb, due to higher material costs, foam concrete leveling is more expensive than stone slurry grout concrete leveling, and mudjacking is less expensive than both options.
Related: What Influences Concrete Leveling Pricing?
Now What?
After learning more about all things concrete lifting, you’re ready to decide if it’s an option you’re interested in pursuing for your uneven concrete.
Here at A-1 Concrete, we know that it can be tough to find the repair option that works best for you. For this reason, we’ve created tons of resources just like this one that dive deep into concrete repair and maintenance topics.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out Concrete Academy, where all of these resources live. You can also check out these related topics:
- The Pros & Cons of Concrete Leveling
- How Long Does Concrete Leveling Actually Last?
- Why Concrete Settles
Interested in learning how concrete lifting can transform your concrete? Click the link below to request an estimate with a member of the A-1 team!
Click Here to Find Your Nearest Location and Receive a FREE Estimate
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.
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