Uncover the secrets behind A-1’s super-powered limestone slurry and how it lifts and levels your concrete with precision.
Discover the hero of concrete leveling – the limestone slurry! This powerful “super mix” helps A-1 lift and level sunken concrete slabs, restoring them to their rightful place (capes, masks, and tights optional).
Concrete repair can feel overwhelming with various methods, terms, and materials, but we’re here to break it down. This article sheds light on one of the main leveling methods: stone slurry grout leveling and its central character, the limestone slurry.
Read below to meet your concrete’s new favorite hero, understand how it works, and learn how it can save your sunken slabs.
The Origin Story: What is Limestone Slurry?
The limestone slurry is a unique mix designed to lift, support, and stabilize sunken concrete. Here’s what goes into it and why it works so well:
- Pulverized Limestone: Fine powder from various sources, blended at A-1 franchise locations.
- Water: Mixed with pulverized limestone on-site to adjust the viscosity for each unique repair.
- Optional Portland Cement: For extra strength and faster hardening when needed.
Precision Control: The Super Slurry Advantage
One of the standout qualities of limestone slurry is the unmatched control it provides during concrete leveling. This level of control means that every repair is customized for durability and stability, so your concrete gets exactly what it needs to stay level and secure.
Depending on the needs of each repair, we can tweak the slurry:
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Thinner Slurry
Adding more water creates a thinner, runnier mix which allows the slurry to spread further and fill small gaps and voids beneath the concrete more completely, stabilizing the entire area and helping to prevent future sinking.
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Thicker Slurry
To lift heavier slabs or counter significant sinking, a thicker slurry (with less water) provides a stronger push. This additional lift minimizes stress on the concrete, which helps avoid cracking and damage over time.
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Site-Specific Customization
Each job site has unique conditions, such as the ground type, soil moisture, and slab weight. By adjusting the slurry's viscosity, A-1 experts can adapt the material, even during your project, to match these conditions, achieving a precise lift without compromising the slab’s integrity.
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Controlled Hardening
Depending on the environment and repair needs, Portland cement can be added to the slurry. This extra ingredient speeds up hardening and enhances the slurry’s strength in certain situations, like high-traffic roads or industrial slabs.
The slurry can even exceed the strength properties of a standard residential driveway, depending on the ratio of limestone to Portland cement.
With these adjustments and the ability to switch between them on the fly, limestone slurry becomes more than just a leveling agent—it’s a tailored solution that adapts to your concrete’s unique challenges.
How Limestone Slurry Saves the Day in Concrete Leveling
Wondering how this superhero mix works its magic? Here’s the process, step-by-step:
- Drill Small Holes: Small holes are drilled in the sunken concrete slab.
- Inject the Limestone Slurry: The slurry is pumped through these holes to fill the voids below.
- Lift and Level: The pressure from the slurry lifts the slab to an even position.
- Safe, Even Concrete: The slurry dries under the slab, creating a new base that supports the concrete. (Note: the slurry can still support heavy loads even when wet.)
With over 30 years of experience and a network of 50+ franchises that spans the country, A-1’s skilled teams know exactly how to control this process to achieve a strong and stable lift.
What the Limestone Slurry Looks Like in Action
Wondering what the slurry looks like? Here’s a peek:
Dry Before Repair
The pulverized limestone is a fine, dry powder before being mixed with water.
Wet During Repair
When wet, the slurry looks similar to a thick milkshake or wet concrete, with a color ranging from gray or white to pink or yellow (depending on the local quarry).
Dried After Repair
Once dried, the slurry has a unique texture. Though it can crumble apart in your hand with some force, it’s incredibly strong under heavy weight, and ideal for supporting concrete and vehicle traffic.
Cleanup Powers: Is the Limestone Slurry Messy?
During the stone slurry grout leveling process, our super slurry might look like it’s getting a little wild—but don’t worry, with a quick action montage and a few “BAM!”s (shovels/scoops) and “KAPOW!”s (sprays with a water hose) it will be a clean canvas!
Any extra material can be easily washed away with water once the mission is complete. Made from 100% natural, water-soluble ingredients, this super slurry is not only safe for plants and animals but also designed for quick, thorough cleanup.
Related Resource: Will Concrete Leveling Harm My Landscaping or Lawn?
Behind the Mask: How Long Does It Take the Limestone Slurry to Set?
The limestone slurry begins to support weight immediately, even while wet. In some cases, it may never fully dry, and that’s okay. Here’s what you need to know about drying and setting:
Instant-
Instant Weight Support
The slurry can handle downward pressure from the moment it’s injected, meaning your concrete will be level and supported, whether the slurry is fully dry or still moist inside.
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Maintaining the Edges
Keeping landscaping and soil levels up around the edges of the slab can help the exterior layer to dry out. However, it’s perfectly fine if it never fully “hardens”—this won’t impact the slurry’s ability to support your concrete.
Reminder: Avoid vehicle traffic for 24 hours to let any patched drill holes and caulking dry undisturbed.
The True Hero: Supporting Your Concrete From Below
When it comes to concrete leveling, it’s easy to focus on the “super material” doing the lifting. But here’s the twist: the real hero behind a lasting repair is the foundation beneath the slab.
If factors that cause settling—like poor drainage, shifting soil, or pests—are still at play, even the most powerful slurry can only do so much. To make sure your concrete stays level, here are a few maintenance tips:
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Redirect Water Sources
Downspouts and drainage should lead water away from the slab, helping to prevent erosion and washouts that can destabilize the slabs.
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Reinforce the Soil Line
Keeping soil built up around the edges of your slab helps keep water from eroding the soil below the slab.
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Evict Pests
Burrowing critters might seem harmless, but they can undermine your concrete’s stability over time.
Related Resource: How to Maintain Your Concrete Leveling Repair
The Concrete Leveling Power You Can Trust
The limestone slurry used in stone slurry grout leveling is a durable, natural solution to reclaim and reinforce your concrete.
Over the years, A-1 Concrete Leveling has helped countless homeowners and businesses restore their concrete, and we proudly offer a warranty to ensure lasting peace of mind.
Ready to see your concrete back in top shape? Request a free estimate from an A-1 Concrete Leveling expert (we like to think of them as heroes too), or learn more with our online resource library, Concrete Academy!
With over 30 years of experience and a network of 50+ franchises that spans the country, A-1’s skilled teams know exactly how to control this process to achieve a strong and stable lift.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.
