How Does Concrete Leveling Work?

How Does Concrete Leveling Work?

Concrete leveling is a method of repairing sunken, cracked or uneven concrete slabs that surround your home. It has been a process used since the 1930s and is effective in filling and repairing all the holes that appear within slabs of concrete after years of wear and tear.

The soil underneath the concrete slab shifts and compresses over time, which allows it to be exposed to moisture that leads to holes within the soil. These holes lead to the concrete slab cracking or sinking downwards, since there is no more upward pressure from the soil pushing against the concrete.

Traditional Concrete Leveling

Also known as “mudjacking,” it is the process where small holes are drilled into the concrete slab and are filled with either a cement “slurry” or polyurethane foam to repair the damage. When this mixture is injected into the small holes, it fills the gaps and acts as a support between the concrete and the soil due to the downward pressure into the soil and the upward pressure into the concrete from the mixture.

Our Concrete Leveling Process 

The method that Baird Foundation Repair implements is similar to that of mudjacking, but without the mess or cost. The difference is the usage of a proven polyurethane foam injection mixture called PolyLevel^® — it allows for a non-invasive installation within a concrete slab and is adjustable for any size weight-bearing load. Additionally, it’s made from 100% recycled materials and cures quickly once installed.

PolyLevel^® fills the gaps within the slab, stabilizes and lifts the sinking or cracked concrete. The two-part urethane formula within it allows for accurate leveling of the concrete, as it has expansive properties which results in a waterproof repair that is more permanent than any form of mudjacking or concrete repair method.

Comparing the Methods

Baird Foundation Repair’s PolyLevel^® is a cost-effective way to level your concrete and has more advantages than traditional mudjacking:

• The cure time is only 15 minutes as compared to 24 hours. 
• The hole size needed for the repair is ⅜”, which is the size of a pea and makes it borderline undetectable. Normal mudjacking leaves a 1” hole, which is heavily noticeable at the size of a quarter.
• PolyLevel^® is 50 times lighter than normal mudjacking. It only weighs 2 pounds per cubic foot! This results in a lighter load being put on the soil underneath the concrete slab, allowing you to rest easy about your concrete repair for years to come. 
• The fully sealed PolyLevel^® injection is waterproof, meaning that any moisture that seeps in from the soil underneath the slab won’t cause future cracks or sinking. 

Signs You Need Concrete Leveling

There are many issues that can occur in your home due to an uneven or damaged concrete slab without you even realizing it. Call a professional to inspect and level your concrete if any of these issues are occurring within your home:

• Your porch or deck appears misaligned or is beginning to “pull away” from the house.
• Cracks develop within your chimney. 
• Hardwood floors within your home are beginning to warp.
• Tile floors within your home are cracking, lifting or sinking.
• Walls have hairline cracks leading to the floor or are starting to unseal from the floor, resulting in a gap.
• Cracks have developed in your driveway.
• The exterior brick or siding on your home is beginning to crack or become misaligned. 

If you believe your concrete is in need of leveling, contact Baird Foundation Repair for a free concrete leveling estimate to get your home back in order.