Are you asking yourself, how much does concrete leveling cost? Every homeowner should know the average cost of concrete leveling services in 2022. That’s why we wrote this article. You’re going to learn what concrete leveling is, how much it costs to raise specific surfaces, the benefits of concrete leveling, and the difference between polyurethane foam and mudjacking.
What Is Concrete Leveling?
If you have a concrete surface that is unlevel, uneven, sunken, or lifted, you need concrete leveling. Concrete leveling goes by many names, such as concrete lifting, foam lifting, polyjacking, polyfoam injection, foam jacking, and more.
So what does concrete leveling do?
Concrete surfaces are very heavy and need solid soil to rest over. Otherwise, the concrete will sink. Concrete leveling using polyurethane involves pumping foam under your slab and giving it a stronger foundation to sit on. Here’s how it works.
- First, small holes the size of dimes are drilled into your slab.
- Second, the polyurethane foam is pumped into the holes and under the concrete.
- Lastly, the foam expands beneath the concrete, lifting the slab and strengthening the soil.
How Much Does Concrete Leveling Cost?
Concrete leveling in the Chicago area usually starts at the base cost of $800. Then the price rises based on a few different factors.
- Sidewalks – For sidewalks, the cost depends on three things: the length of the sidewalk, the drop involved, and how wide the sidewalk is.
- Patios & Driveways – For patios and driveways, The Real Seal has a base cost of about $1,500. It all depends on the void beneath the slab and how much lift is required.
Note: The biggest cost factor for sidewalk, patio, and driveway leveling has to do with the drainage around those areas. If you have improper drainage, the issue worsens, increasing the overall cost. On top of that, homeowners should remedy any drainage issues before your concrete is leveled. Otherwise, the surface will just sink again due to the same issue.
- Interior Concrete Slabs – Leveling a concrete slab inside your home is the most expensive type of repair. This is because the usual cause of slab sinkage has to do with sewer breaks. When a sewer line breaks, it can wash away the dirt under your slab, leaving large voids behind. But, your slab won’t sink right away. It takes a large void to sink your six-inch thick concrete slab. The bigger the void, the more foam is required, increasing the material and labor needed to complete the job.
Is Concrete Leveling Worth The Cost?
The answer is yes. Compared to total concrete replacement, concrete leveling is cheaper, instant, and convenient. Most concrete leveling jobs can be completed in under a day, giving you results right away. Here are a few concrete leveling benefits.
- It’s fast-acting – Once the concrete foam has been injected underneath your slab, it takes 15 minutes for the polyurethane to cure. That means you can almost immediately start using your driveway, sidewalk, or patio.
- It’s minimally invasive – Concrete leveling does not require any digging or excavations. All professionals have to do is drill small holes into your surface, inject the foam, and seal those holes.
- It’s lightweight – The foam used for concrete leveling weighs about 2.5 to 4 pounds per cubic foot. This means that the foam won’t contribute to future soil settlement.
- It’s environmentally friendly – The foam used for concrete leveling is inert. Inert means it lacks the ability or strength to move when it comes in contact with water. The foam won’t leech harmful chemicals into your soil or grass.
- It’s cost-effective – Breaking apart and replacing a sunken concrete slab is expensive. On top of that, you could be waiting days or even weeks for a concrete company to come out and pour the new slab. You shouldn’t have to wait that long.
- It’s waterproof – Concrete leveling foam is hydrophobic. That means that it will harden and stay hard even if it comes in contact with water, making it a lasting and virtually immovable solution.
Concrete Leveling Using Polyurethane Foam Vs. Mudjacking
Have you ever heard of mudjacking? Dating back to the 1930s, mudjacking involves pumping sand, cement, and other natural materials under your concrete slab. Repair solutions have gotten better over time, slowing making mudjacking less effective. Here are a few downsides to using mudjacking.
- It’s very heavy – The material used for mudjacking can weigh on average about 100 pounds per cubic foot. The reason why your concrete was sinking is due to weight and unstable soil. So adding more weight under your slab will just allow the concrete to sink again.
- It requires a lot of cleanup – Mudjacking is a very messy process. You’ve got to keep in mind all the equipment, vehicles, and material needed for just one job.
- It’s not waterproof – The mudjacking slurry is not waterproof and will wash away when it rains, bringing you right back to square one.
- It requires larger holes – In order to pump the slurry under your concrete slab, 2-inch holes need to be drilled. These holes can damage the structural integrity of your concrete, allowing things like cracks to form or weeds to grow.
- It’s temporary – Mudjacking only lasts 2 to 5 years. On the other hand, concrete leveling using foam can last indefinitely.
Who Do You Call For Concrete Leveling?
If you live in the Greater Chicago area and need concrete leveling, who do you call? You need The Real Seal! Call us today, and we’ll get you started with an in-depth inspection, free repair estimate, and a list of our finest solutions. We also provide basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space repair, and more.
