All About Concrete Leveling: Process, Cost, Types, FAQ, and More

Learn everything you need to know about concrete leveling in this ultimate guide.

What Is Concrete Leveling?

Concrete leveling is the process of lifting settled concrete slabs back to their correct position without demolition or replacement.

Concrete leveling is called by many different names, which can vary by region. Here are some common terms you might hear in place of "concrete leveling":

• Concrete lifting
• Concrete raising
• Concrete jacking
• Slabjacking
• Mudjacking (although “mudjacking” is actually a type of concrete leveling)

There are three different types of concrete leveling – stone slurry grout leveling, foam concrete leveling, and mudjacking (more on these later). Regardless of the type, all follow the same steps to lift your settled concrete back into the right position.

How Does Concrete Leveling Work?

All concrete leveling methods follow the same three steps to lift settled concrete:

Step 1: Strategic holes are drilled through the concrete slabs around the affected area. Drill hole size ranges from ⅝” - 2½”  depending on the type of concrete leveling used.

Step 2: A leveling compound (stone, foam, or mud) is pumped through the holes and under the slab, lifting it up.

Step 3: The drill holes are sealed off once the concrete is back in the proper position.

Related Resource: What To Expect at Your Concrete Leveling Appointment

Concrete Leveling Quote

Request a Free Estimate

Find out how much safe, beautiful concrete will cost you with a free onsite estimate from an A-1 franchise near you.

Types of Concrete Leveling

The universal goal of concrete leveling is to take a settled slab of concrete and return it back to an even position, and there are different ways of going about doing it. Foam leveling (or polyjacking), mudjacking, and stone slurry grout leveling are the three main methods.

To learn more about each of these concrete leveling methods side by side, check out this resource: Comparing Grout, Foam, and Mud: Which Is Best for Your Settling Concrete?

• Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Leveling

Stone slurry grout concrete leveling is done with a mixture of pulverized limestone and water. The compound gradually fills any empty spaces beneath a slab and slowly raises it back up to the right position.

During the repair, the thickness of the limestone compound can be adjusted. A thinner consistency allows for better spread and void filling, while a thicker one allows for more powerful lifting.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Stone Slurry Grout Leveling

• Foam Concrete Leveling

Foam injection concrete leveling, which also goes by the name “polyjacking,” is a method of lifting concrete that uses expanding polyurethane foam. 

When the foam is injected under the slab, its chemical reaction causes the foam to expand rapidly and lift the settled slab.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Foam Concrete Leveling

• Mudjacking

Mudjacking is a method of leveling concrete that pumps a soil, sand, and water mixture under the concrete slab in order to lift it up. 

“Mudjacking” is a well-known name for concrete leveling involving a slurry-type mixture, even though it is distinct from A-1’s patented limestone slurry grout leveling process.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Mudjacking

Concrete Leveling Cost

Below is a chart that shows average stone slurry grout leveling pricing ranges throughout A-1’s nationwide franchise system. 

Pricing for the three main concrete leveling types is described in more detail under the chart and in this resource: Concrete Leveling Cost Guide

Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Cost

The chart above reflects the high and low pricing ranges for stone slurry grout leveling across A-1’s nationwide franchise network.

Polyurethane Foam Concrete Leveling Cost

Polyurethane foam concrete leveling is generally around 20-50% more expensive when compared to repairs done with A-1’s stone slurry leveling method due to the higher material costs. 

Mudjacking Cost

Mudjacking is typically around 10% less expensive than stone slurry grout leveling, depending on location and other factors.

Concrete Leveling Quote

Request a Free Estimate

Find out how much safe, beautiful concrete will cost you with a free onsite estimate from an A-1 franchise near you.

The Pros and Cons of Concrete Leveling

To decide whether or not concrete leveling is the right choice for you, you’ll have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages that come with it.

Below is a brief overview, but for more detailed information, check out this resource: Is Concrete Leveling Worth It? The Pros and Cons of Concrete Leveling

Pros

• Cost Savings

As there’s far less material and labor cost involved in concrete leveling, it can save you up to 70% off the price of replacement, depending on the method used. 

• Time Savings

Concrete leveling repairs are usually completed within a matter of hours (1-3 days for larger jobs), and the concrete can be used like normal again in as little as 24 hours.

• Convenience

There’s no demolition, no weeks of waiting to use the concrete again, and no damage to landscaping or property due to big, heavy equipment.  

• Uniform Look

Lifting the existing concrete rather than pouring new concrete means no mismatched slabs. Even the drill holes will usually weather and blend into your existing concrete.

Cons

• Cracks Remain

Because the existing doesn’t change, it’s only lifted, existing cracks won’t go away. They may actually get bigger or smaller during the process, but they can be sealed up and blended in with concrete caulk.

• Uncertain Outcome

Due to the nature of concrete leveling, technicians don’t know exactly what they’re up against until they begin the repair. Unknown variables can make it hard to predict how the repair will turn out 100% of the time.

• Soil Conditions

The quality of the soil underneath the concrete leveling repair influences whether or not it will be successful, as soil erosion and natural compaction are big culprits when it comes to concrete settling.

When To Level Your Concrete

Concrete leveling can be used to solve all sorts of problems. Here are just a few of the common ones we see on a regular basis:

• Trip hazards caused by settling or raised concrete slabs
• Sinking basement or garage floors
• Voids or soil erosion underneath slabs
• Unstable or settling concrete steps
• Water flow around foundations or retaining walls
• Tree roots lifting concrete slabs out of place

Related Resource: 7 Common Problems Concrete Leveling Can Solve

When Not To Level Your Concrete

While concrete leveling is a versatile solution, it’s not the right fit for every case. Here are some times when you shouldn’t go with concrete leveling:

• Your concrete is crumbling or severely cracked in multiple places
• You’re looking to change the concrete’s surface appearance or texture
• Your concrete is lifted too far up by tree roots
• You want to change the function or design of the concrete (e.g. add concrete steps)

Related Resource: Top 5 Reasons To Avoid Concrete Leveling

Concrete Leveling FAQ

Is Concrete Leveling Right for You?

Now that you know a little more about concrete leveling, you’re one step closer to deciding if it’s the right choice for your settling concrete.

While this guide serves as a good overview of all things concrete leveling, we encourage you to dive into the additional resources linked throughout the article and in Concrete Academy to learn more about the aspects of concrete leveling that interest you most.

Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve been lifting settled concrete for over 30 years and helped countless home and business owners alike restore their sidewalks, driveways, pool decks, and more.

If you’re ready to learn what concrete leveling can do for your concrete, request an onsite cost estimate with a member of the A-1 team.