Concrete Leveling

Fix Sunken Concrete Without Tearing It Out

When concrete slabs sink or settle, they create trip hazards, drainage problems, and an unsightly appearance. You might think replacement is your only option, but concrete leveling offers a faster and more affordable solution in many cases. This process raises sunken concrete back to its original position without removing and replacing the entire slab.

Concrete settles for several reasons. Soil underneath may wash away from poor drainage. Tree roots can push slabs up or down. Poorly compacted fill settles over time. The clay soils common around Seguin expand when wet and contract when dry, causing movement. Whatever the cause, settled concrete does not fix itself. It usually gets worse as water flows into the gaps and washes away more soil.

Leveling costs significantly less than replacement and takes much less time. We can often complete leveling work in a few hours, and you can use the area immediately. Replacement requires removing old concrete, preparing the base, pouring new concrete, and waiting days for it to cure. For concrete that is structurally sound but just needs to be raised, leveling makes sense. Learn about all our concrete services in Seguin to see how leveling fits into overall concrete maintenance and repair.

How Concrete Leveling Works

We use a process called slabjacking or mudjacking to raise sunken concrete. Small holes are drilled through the concrete at strategic locations. Then we pump a specialized material underneath the slab. This material fills the voids where soil has washed away and exerts upward pressure that lifts the concrete. We monitor the slab as it rises and stop when it reaches the correct height.

What the leveling process involves:

• •Assessment to determine if leveling is appropriate for your situation
• •Drilling small holes (usually 1 to 2 inches) through the settled concrete
• •Pumping leveling material under the slab to fill voids and lift concrete
• •Monitoring the lift to achieve precise height adjustment
• •Patching the injection holes to match the existing surface
• •Addressing drainage issues to prevent future settling

The leveling material we use is a cement-based slurry that hardens quickly and provides stable support. It flows into all the voids and cavities under the slab, creating a solid base. Once it sets, the slab sits on a firm foundation again. The injection holes are patched with concrete so they blend in with the existing surface. Most people do not even notice them after a few months of weathering.

When Leveling Works and When Replacement Is Better

Leveling works best for concrete that is structurally sound but has settled unevenly. If your driveway, patio, or sidewalk has sunk in one area creating a step or slope, leveling can raise it back up. Trip hazards at sidewalk joints, settled concrete around pools, and driveways that slope toward garages are common problems we fix through leveling.

However, leveling is not appropriate for all situations. Badly cracked concrete, slabs with large broken sections, or concrete that is deteriorating may need replacement instead. Very thin slabs or concrete that has settled more than a few inches can be difficult or impossible to level effectively. We give you an honest assessment of whether leveling will work for your situation or if replacement makes more sense.

Sometimes we combine leveling with other repairs. We might level the main sections and replace only the areas that are too damaged to save. Or we level first and then seal cracks to prevent water penetration. For extensive damage across a driveway or patio, our repair and replacement services offer complete solutions. And if your walkways have settled creating trip hazards, check our sidewalk services for leveling and replacement options.

Concrete Leveling Questions

Homeowners in Seguin often have questions about concrete leveling since it is not as well known as replacement. Here are answers to the most common questions we hear.