Concrete Leveling
Fix sunken concrete quickly and affordably without the mess and cost of complete replacement.
Fix Sunken Concrete Without Replacement
When sections of your driveway, patio, or walkway sink and become uneven, you have a problem that needs attention. Sunken concrete creates trip hazards, looks terrible, and causes water to pool in the wrong places. The good news is that you do not always need to tear out and replace the entire surface. Concrete leveling offers a faster, less expensive solution that gets your concrete back to its original position.
Concrete leveling, also called mudjacking or slabjacking, raises sunken sections by pumping material underneath to fill voids and lift the slab. The process works on driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, garage floors, and other flatwork. When done correctly by experienced concrete professionals, leveling restores your concrete to its proper height and eliminates dangerous uneven surfaces.
Here in Bradenton, we see sunken concrete frequently because of our sandy soil and heavy rainfall. Water washes away soil from under slabs, creating voids that allow concrete to settle. Tree roots also contribute by disrupting the base under your concrete. Instead of living with the problem or paying for expensive replacement, leveling gives you a practical fix that extends the life of your existing concrete.
How Concrete Leveling Works
Understanding the leveling process helps you see why it is such an effective solution. The method has been used successfully for decades to repair sunken concrete without full replacement.
The Leveling Process
- Assessment: We inspect the sunken areas to determine how much lifting is needed and identify what caused the settling. Understanding the cause helps prevent future problems.
- Drilling holes: Small holes, typically one to two inches in diameter, are drilled through the sunken concrete at strategic locations. These holes provide access to the space beneath.
- Pumping material: We pump a specialized leveling compound through the holes to fill voids and raise the slab. Pressure is carefully controlled to lift the concrete gradually to the correct height.
- Monitoring: As material flows underneath, we monitor the lift with levels to ensure even raising and proper final position. This step requires experience and precision.
- Patching holes: Once leveling is complete, we patch the access holes with concrete that matches your existing surface as closely as possible.
- Finishing touches: The area is cleaned, and you can usually use the leveled concrete within hours rather than waiting days like you would with new concrete.
The entire process typically takes a few hours rather than days. There is minimal disruption to your property, no heavy equipment tearing up your yard, and no large amounts of debris to haul away. Most homeowners are surprised at how quick and clean the process is compared to replacement.
When Leveling Makes Sense
Concrete leveling is not appropriate for every situation, but it solves many common problems effectively. Knowing when leveling works best helps you make the right decision for your property.
Good Candidates for Leveling
Leveling works well when the concrete itself is in good structural condition but has sunk due to soil settlement or erosion. If your driveway has one or two sections that dropped a few inches, leveling is ideal. Sidewalk slabs that created trip hazards are perfect candidates. Patio sections that slope toward your house instead of away can be corrected with leveling.
When Replacement Is Better
If your concrete has extensive cracking, crumbling edges, or structural damage, replacement might be the better choice. Leveling raises the slab but does not fix cracks or deterioration. We assess your concrete honestly and recommend leveling only when it makes sense. Sometimes a combination approach works, where we level some sections and replace others that are too damaged. Learn more about our concrete repair and replacement options.
Benefits of Choosing Leveling
Cost is typically 50 to 70 percent less than replacement. The process is much faster, usually completed in one day. You can use the surface almost immediately. There is minimal mess and disruption. Your existing concrete is preserved, which is better for the environment. For many homeowners, these benefits make leveling the clear choice when their concrete is structurally sound.