Concrete Leveling

Why Concrete Sinks and What It Means

You have probably noticed it happening. One section of your driveway or sidewalk sits lower than the rest. What started as a small height difference has become a noticeable step. Maybe water pools in that spot now. Or it has become a tripping hazard that worries you every time someone walks by.

Concrete does not actually sink on its own. What happens is the soil underneath erodes, settles, or compacts over time. This leaves voids under the concrete, and gravity does the rest. The concrete slab drops into the empty space below. This problem is incredibly common in El Dorado Hills and throughout the foothill communities where soil conditions can be challenging.

The good news is that sunken concrete does not always need to be replaced. Concrete leveling can raise settled slabs back to their original position at a fraction of the cost of tearing out and replacing the concrete. The process is faster, less disruptive, and often just as permanent as new concrete.

We have been leveling concrete throughout the area for years. We understand the soil conditions that cause settling. We know when leveling makes sense and when replacement is the better choice. And we use proven methods that deliver lasting results you can count on.

How Concrete Leveling Works

Concrete leveling goes by several names. You might hear it called mudjacking, slabjacking, or foam leveling. The basic concept is the same across all methods: we fill the voids under your concrete and lift the slab back into position.

Here is how the process works:

• Assessment: We examine the sunken concrete to determine why it settled and whether leveling is appropriate for your situation.
• Drilling access holes: We drill small holes through the concrete slab at strategic locations. These holes allow us to inject material underneath.
• Injecting leveling material: We pump specialized material through the holes. As it fills the voids, it creates pressure that lifts the concrete slab.
• Monitoring the lift: We carefully control the lifting process, raising the concrete gradually until it reaches the proper level.
• Finishing up: Once the concrete is level, we patch the access holes to match the surrounding surface.

The entire process typically takes just a few hours for most residential projects. You can use the leveled concrete almost immediately, unlike replacement which requires days of curing time. There is minimal mess and disruption compared to tearing out and replacing concrete.

When Leveling Makes Sense

Concrete leveling is not right for every situation. It works best when the concrete itself is in good condition but has simply settled into voids below. If your concrete is badly cracked, crumbling, or has other structural problems, replacement might be the better choice.

Ideal situations for concrete leveling include sunken driveway sections that create a lip at the garage, settled sidewalks that have become tripping hazards, uneven patio slabs where water pools, and tilted walkways that direct water toward your home instead of away from it.

The cost savings compared to replacement are significant. Leveling typically costs about half what you would pay to tear out and replace the same concrete. You also avoid the hassle of breaking up and disposing of old concrete, the wait time for new concrete to cure, and the risk that new concrete might settle in the same location.

During our assessment, we are honest about whether leveling will work for your situation. If we think replacement is the better option, we will tell you why and provide pricing for that as well. Our goal is to recommend the solution that makes the most sense for your specific situation and budget.

Benefits Beyond Just Cost Savings

While saving money is a big advantage, concrete leveling offers other benefits that make it an attractive option for many homeowners and businesses.

Speed is a major factor. Most leveling projects are completed in a single day. Compare that to replacement, which involves days of work plus curing time before you can use the concrete. If you need your driveway or walkway back in service quickly, leveling delivers.

The process is also much less disruptive. There is no heavy equipment tearing up your property. No truck loads of broken concrete leaving your site. No forms to build or extensive site preparation. We work efficiently with minimal impact on your daily routine and landscaping.

Environmentally, leveling is the greener choice. You are not sending concrete to the landfill or using resources to produce new concrete. The materials we use are also stable and non-toxic, so they will not harm soil or groundwater.

Local Expertise Throughout El Dorado County

The soil conditions in El Dorado Hills and the surrounding foothill communities create unique challenges for concrete. Our expansive clay soils shift with moisture changes. Rocky subsurface conditions can lead to uneven settling. And our terrain means many properties have slopes that contribute to erosion under concrete slabs.

We have worked throughout the area and understand these local conditions. We know where settling problems are most common and what typically causes them. This experience helps us assess whether leveling will be a permanent fix or if underlying issues need to be addressed first.

For properties in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Cameron Park, and nearby communities, we bring local knowledge that helps ensure successful outcomes. We have leveled everything from residential driveways and sidewalks to commercial walkways and loading areas.

If you have sunken or uneven concrete, do not assume replacement is your only option. Contact us for a free assessment and let's discuss whether concrete leveling can solve your problem at a fraction of the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions