Keep These Questions in Mind for Your Concrete Leveling Estimate

You want to make sure concrete leveling is the right solution for you. Here are four questions to ask and answer when considering concrete leveling.

It's been months, maybe even years, since you noticed that uneven sidewalk and said "eventually I'll get that fixed," yet it's still a hazard to you and those who come to your home. Whatever the reason you’re looking into concrete leveling, it’s important to consider what your desired outcome really is.

Taking the time to think about what you want out of concrete leveling will help you get a final result that you will be happy with for years to come.

The A-1 Concrete team has been leveling concrete for over 30 years. Through working with home and business owners on their concrete leveling projects, our experts have found the following four questions to be extremely important during the estimating and planning process to ensure that customers get exactly what they're looking for:

1. What's your primary concern?
2. What's your desired outcome?
3. Has the issue gotten worse over the last three years?
4. Should you consider any additional services?

As you read the following sections, consider these questions and your responses to them while focusing on how you would like to see your finished concrete look and perform.

1. What’s your primary concern?

Think about why it is that you are looking into concrete leveling, beyond just “unlevel concrete.” What is the main concern you have with the unlevel concrete, and how would you like to see that problem resolved?

Some common concerns our customers have are:

• “The area has settled, causing a trip hazard for my loved ones.”
• “Water is entering my home where the concrete has settled.”
• “I’m worried that if my steps keep settling, it can hurt my porch in the process and end up costing more to repair in the future.”
• “I’m trying to sell my home and I need to pass a home inspection.”
• “I have a family of pests living under my steps.”

By figuring out your main concern, the concrete leveling experts at A-1 can help you find the right solution to the problem based on your individual needs and ensure your expectations are met. 

2. What is your desired outcome?

It’s important to think about how you expect the finished, level concrete to look and perform.

Here are some potential questions to ask yourself when thinking about the desired outcome of your repair:

• What do I expect the breaks to look like when finished?
• When do I expect the work to be completed?
• Do I expect the concrete to look brand new?
• Do I expect the concrete slab not to crack when lifting?
• What do I expect the drilled holes to look like once they’re patched?
• Do I expect the water issue to be completely resolved?

Having specific goals in mind can help the concrete leveling experts at A-1 give you an outcome you are happy with for years to come and help you set realistic expectations for what concrete leveling can do for you.

3. Has the issue gotten worse over the previous three years?

This is an important question that estimators ask because it allows them to get to know the problem’s history and get a sense of the underlying cause of the issue.

For example, when the A-1 team learns that the issue has been getting worse, they typically find that the reason is one of the following, and treat it accordingly:

• Downspout or gutter drainage
• Tree roots
• Water pooling
• Chipmunks and other animals

If the issue has not worsened, it is generally treated as natural settling. In this case, after the leveling process is complete, the repair should be good to go for an extended period of time.

4. Should you consider additional services?

In addition to concrete leveling, the A-1 team can also perform other services that help preserve your concrete and prevent future damage.

Caulking Cracks, Breaks & Expansion Joints

When concrete begins to crack, the cracks continuously grow due to the constant freezing and thawing of the water that enters the crevices.

A-1 Concrete Leveling can fill the cracks with a special polymer caulk. This flexible caulk allows normal expansion and contraction of the concrete to occur, while essentially sealing cracks off which reduces erosion and freeze/thaw issues caused by water.

Concrete caulking is a good option for people who:

• Have issues with water pooling
• Want to maintain the aesthetics of their concrete
• Already have cracks forming
• Have many freeze-thaw cycles throughout the year
• Want to prevent cracks from worsening

Cleaning & Sealing

Because concrete is porous and absorbs water, problems arise as the weather fluctuates above and below freezing. These cycles allow for the expansion and contraction of the water, leading to damage of the concrete’s surface.

The cleaning and sealing process;at A-1 consists of a thorough pressure wash, then the application of a clear penetrating solution that seals the pores in the concrete, preventing water from soaking in and causing damage, like cracks or craters called “spalling”.

Concrete cleaning and sealing is a good option for people who:

• Want to take preventive measures to preserve their concrete
• Live in a place with multiple yearly freeze-thaw cycles
• Would like their concrete to look cleaner
• Want to slow down any existing flaking or surface damage

What’s next?

Now that you’re familiar with the main questions the concrete leveling experts at A-1 Concrete Leveling will ask, it's time to put them into action. 

1. What's your primary concern?
2. What's your desired outcome?
3. Has the issue gotten worse over the last three years?
4. Should you consider any additional services?

Take a few minutes to answer each of these questions based on the needs of your concrete leveling project. By being one step ahead and thinking about your answers to these four questions, you’ll save time and have peace of mind throughout the concrete leveling process.

This article only addresses the main questions that the A-1 Concrete team typically asks, but if more come to mind, jot them down to discuss them with your concrete leveling team.

Learn more about our concrete leveling process here at A-1 Concrete and connect with our team at the link below to schedule a free estimate!

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