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How To Level An Uneven Concrete Slab Indefinitely

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How To Level An Uneven Concrete Slab Indefinitely Featured
How To Level An Uneven Concrete Slab Indefinitely Featured

If you want to know how to level an uneven concrete slab indefinitely, this is the article for you. Some blog articles suggest using a new layer of concrete or a self-leveling overlay to level your uneven slab. We’re going to tell you why highly trained professionals do not recommend those types of repair methods and why they choose polyjacking.

How To Level An Uneven Concrete Slab

Skilled and wise professionals use polyjacking to level an uneven concrete slab. This fast, non-toxic, and simple solution has revolutionized leveling uneven concrete slabs. Here’s how they do it.

Skilled and wise professionals use polyjacking to level an uneven concrete slab.

  1. Small dime-sized holes are drilled into the sunken sections of your concrete slab.
  2. Expanding polyurethane foam is injected into the holes.
  3. As the foam fills the space below, your slab is lifted until the uneven section is leveled with the rest of the concrete. 
  4. Once the foam cures, you need to wait at least 15 minutes until you can drive or walk over the concrete.

Can You Put Self-Leveling Concrete Over Existing Concrete?

Yes, you can put self-leveling concrete over your existing uneven concrete. But, this will not solve the actual problem, providing a temporary solution that can actually worsen the issue. The more weight you add onto sinking concrete, the more it’s going to sink. Self-leveling concrete is similar to regular concrete, except it flows easier and sets up much faster. These products are spread over your uneven concrete until you create an even surface. 

The downside to self-leveling concrete is that it’s hard to use outside, meaning you won’t be able to level sidewalks, driveways, or patios. The other downside to self-leveling concrete is that it’s not meant for slabs that have sunk more than an inch. The more uneven your concrete slab is, the more mix you’ll need.

Is It Cheaper To Level Or Replace Concrete?

It’s cheaper to level concrete than replace the entire slab.It’s cheaper to level concrete than replace the entire slab. This is because concrete leveling and polyjacking solve the real issue behind the uneven slab, preventing you from replacing it in the future. 

Replacing, mudjacking, and self-leveling overlays are all temporary solutions that will require you to do them again in the near future. Some experts estimate that leveling uneven concrete saves homeowners 50% to 80% of the total cost of replacing it.

Can I Level A Concrete Slab Myself?

Yes, you can level a concrete slab yourself. But only if you have access to polyurethane foam, drills, and injection pumps. Otherwise, it won’t be easy to level your concrete slab yourself. Some blog articles give instructions on how to create your own mudjacking slurry using Portland cement and other materials. While this may sound easy to create and use, it’s a very messy and temporary process. Overall, most experts do not recommend any DIY concrete leveling solutions.

How Long Will Concrete Leveling Last?

Concrete leveled with polyurethane foam will last indefinitely. But, to make sure the concrete doesn’t have a chance to sink again, make sure your property is sloped away from your slab. Because the expanding foam is hydrophobic, it will not erode or wash away from water. But, if water washes away more soil from under the slab, there’s a chance a different section could sink.

What Causes Uneven Concrete Slabs?

Poor drainage, tree roots, expansive soil, and improper compaction can all cause uneven concrete slabs.

Poor drainage, tree roots, expansive soil, and improper compaction can all cause uneven concrete slabs.

  • Poor drainage – The soil underneath your concrete slab could wash out from underneath if water is draining toward it. This can result from poorly placed gutter downspouts, clogged gutters, and improper grading.
  • Tree rootsTree roots can make their way underneath your concrete slab, absorb the moisture in the soil, and leave voids, sinking it. They can also leave pockets under your slab when the roots die and disintegrate. 
  • Expansive soil – Soil that contains too much clay can expand and shrink based on moisture content. When the soil absorbs water, it can lift your slab. Then, when the soil dries, your slab will sink back down.

Benefits Of Leveling Uneven Concrete Slabs

Here are a few benefits of leveling uneven concrete slabs. 

  • Eliminates trip hazards – By leveling out any uneven sections of your concrete slab, you lower the chance someone trips and hurts themselves.
  • Eliminates potential lawsuits – In some states, an injured guest, customer, or trespasser may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against you if they trip and fall on your property. Once you level out your uneven concrete slabs, you lower the chance of this happening. 
  • Adds value – If you plan on selling your home, fixing any imperfections and trip hazards can boost the value of your property. Sunken, uneven, and cracked concrete slabs look horrible and diminish your home’s appearance.

Who Can Level Uneven Concrete Slabs Near You?

If you live in Chicagoland and have an uneven concrete slab, call The Real Seal. We’ve been leveling sidewalks, patios, driveways, and interior concrete slabs since 2011. We also provide foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and more. Call today for your free inspection and estimate.

WRITTEN BY

Austin Werner

Austin Werner is the Owner of The Real Seal LLC, a basement waterproofing and foundation repair company. Austin believes that having a highly trained and happy team is the key to success. This is reflected through hundreds of 5 star customer reviews his company has received online.

4 Responses

    1. Hi Steve! Unfortunately not, but let us know who you find and we’d love to know how it went!

    1. Hi Becky!

      Unfortunately we are only in the Chicagoland area. I would recommend searching on Yelp, Google, BBB, and Angie’s List to find the most consistent good reviews.

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