How Long Does Concrete Leveling Actually Last?

Concrete leveling repairs can go the distance—decades, in fact.

When you invest in concrete leveling, you’re not just looking for a quick fix – you want a long-lasting repair that stands the test of time. The good news? Concrete leveling can last for the life of your slab, and with the right care, it’s a solution you can count on for many years to come (depending on a couple of factors we discuss in this article).

At A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve been lifting concrete for over 30 years, and some of our earliest projects are still holding strong today. Ready to find out why? Let’s dive into what makes concrete leveling so durable and how you can help your repair last as long as possible.

How Long Does Concrete Leveling Last?

A properly done concrete leveling repair can last the lifetime of the concrete itself, which could be 20 to 50+ years.

This is true for stone slurry grout leveling, polyjacking (foam concrete leveling), and mudjacking – all concrete leveling methods can last for decades, right alongside your concrete.

Why Concrete Leveling Can Last So Long

When the soil or gravel underneath your concrete settles or washes out, it takes the concrete slab with it.

During a concrete leveling repair, we drill through the section of sunken concrete and replace the eroded substrate material with our injected leveling compound. That material spreads out underneath the section, fills up any voids, and then lifts the concrete back into place.

If the material underneath the injected leveling compound is done settling and doesn’t erode away, then the concrete leveling material sitting on top won't go anywhere either, keeping your slab in place.

What Makes Concrete Fail Prematurely?

Concrete leveling can last for many decades, but this section covers some of the main factors that can cause the concrete to settle again.

Note: All of these factors are also true for NEW concrete. Unless proactive steps are taken to lessen or prevent these things from happening, concrete will settle regardless. 

• Uncontrollable Natural Settling

The materials under newer concrete slabs or around new construction usually have not had the necessary time to settle or compact naturally. This is often the result of an expedited building process and forgoing the expense of strategic compaction of the base materials.

If concrete is leveled on top of soil that hasn’t fully settled, both the concrete and the leveling material will settle along with the compacting soil.

• Water Flow

Water can wash away the important sub-material that’s holding up both the slab itself and the extra material used to lift it back into place. Over time, this erosion of the sub-material makes space for the slab to sink back down.

Water can also expand and contract under the concrete during freeze-thaw cycles, causing the soil to shift and settle.

• Improper Void Fill

In order for a concrete leveling repair to last a long time, all of the voids under the settled slab need to be completely filled.

Depending on the concrete leveling method being used, this can be tricky. While stone slurry grout leveling can achieve this with low pumping pressure, varied material consistencies, and strategic hole placement, mudjacking and polyjacking are prone to injecting pyramids or pillars of material under the slab that don’t adequately fill voids.

• Pests

Animals burrowing in the soil underneath the concrete can cause voids to open up and create weak spots where the concrete is unsupported. They also disturb and loosen the soil – a perfect recipe for resettling.

Related Resource: Why Concrete Leveling Repairs Fail

Types of Concrete Leveling Repairs

While all concrete leveling repairs can last for the life of the concrete itself, each method is unique and comes with its own advantages and challenges.

• Stone Slurry Grout Leveling

The stone slurry grout concrete leveling method uses lower pressure and variable material thickness to fill voids beneath the concrete more completely, resulting in a more solid foundation below the lifted concrete, which can help it last longer.

Read More: How Long Does Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Last?

• Foam Concrete Leveling

Foam concrete leveling works by injecting expanding foam beneath sunken concrete to raise it back to the proper position, but due to the nature of the foam, it can be difficult to completely fill all voids under the concrete, risking a less durable repair.

Read More: How Long Does Foam Concrete Leveling Last?

• Mudjacking

Mudjacking is a type of concrete leveling that uses larger drill holes to pump a mud slurry under the concrete at a high speed and pressure. Similarly to foam leveling, this makes it difficult to fill all voids under the concrete.

Read More: How Long Does Mudjacking Last?

Tips for a Long-Lasting Concrete Leveling Repair

Here is a list of things you can do to help your concrete leveling repair last as long as possible (or help prevent the need for concrete leveling in the first place):

• Caulk Gaps and Cracks

Apply concrete caulk to gaps, cracks, and joints to prevent water intrusion and erosion, which can cause concrete to resettle.

• Manage Water Drainage

Redirect downspouts and drainage away from slabs and fix leaky gutters to prevent water from eroding the soil under the concrete, causing it to resettle.

• Build Up Soil Around Concrete

Add soil and landscaping around the edges of concrete slabs to direct water away from the concrete rather than under it.

• Remove Pests

Burrowing pests can dig tunnels under the concrete leveling repair, loosening the soil enough for the concrete to settle again.

Related Resource: How to Maintain Your Concrete Leveling Repair

Concrete Leveling Repairs Can Last a Lifetime

Concrete leveling repairs, when done correctly, can last for a looooong time. Whether you choose stone slurry grout leveling, polyjacking, or mudjacking, your concrete can stay level for 20, 30, or even 50 years – or the life of your slabs – with proper maintenance.

If you’re dealing with sunken concrete and want to explore your options for a long-lasting solution, don’t hesitate to reach out. Request a free estimate from an A-1 Concrete Leveling location near you today!