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As homeowners, we do so much to protect the curb appeal of our homes. Landscaping, lighting, paint, lawn maintenance… the list goes on. One area that is often overlooked as we think about curb appeal is our concrete. This tends to be the case because we just assume there isn’t much that can be done to improve its appearance, and it seems so permanent. That, however, isn’t true. Depending on the type of concrete you have around your home and the conditions that it is in, you can improve its appearance and protect it in several ways.

  • Settled concrete can be leveled, and cracks can be repaired with UV-resistant, color-matched caulks.
  • Stamped and aggregate concrete can be sealed with solvent-based sealers to restore color and shine.
  • Brushed concrete can be stained in a variety of colors and tints with decorative sealers like DecoShield to provide a translucent pop of color and long-lasting protection. This is great for transforming boring, brushed concrete patios into beautiful extensions of your backyard landscape.
  • Stains from oil and dirt, as well as mismatched concrete slabs, can also be minimized with decorative stain and seal products.
  • Control joints can be caulked with color-matched caulks to create a clean seamless layer of protection between your slab.

Each of these solutions offers a unique way to enhance the concrete surfaces around your home, while also protecting its form and function. From now on, when you think about your home’s curb appeal, think about how enhancing your concrete might just be the finishing tough it needs.

After each job is completed, we make a concerted effort to ask you for a review. There’s a reason for this: online reviews have become essential to small businesses.

Not only can an online review from a customer help us show up sooner in searches, but it can also give another customer insight into what it’s like to do business with us. We train hard to be able to offer incredible service and online reviews help us determine if we are doing our best.

Our reviews are what potential new customers are evaluating us on before they even give us a call – but we can’t leave those reviews ourselves. We need your help in giving us feedback so we can redefine the customer experience and to keep this local company in business.

Here are just a few places we’d love to hear from you:

  • Google
  • Facebook
  • HomeAdvisor
  • NextDoor

We don’t offer discounts or incentives to those who leave us a positive online review because we want our online reviews to be accurate and authentic.

Our goal is to give you an experience with a contractor that is so positive you want to rave about it online.

Whether it’s a cracking driveway, pitting concrete sidewalks, or a crumbling stoop, what you put on your concrete during the winter can have a major impact.

There are many factors that can play into the concrete around a home falling into disrepair. One primary reason is the soil under the concrete.

But, what you put on top of your concrete can make a difference as well. When water freezes and thaws over and over, it can cause the surface of your concrete driveway to crack, pit and crumble.

Think of your driveway as a giant sponge. Concrete is porous, so it soaks up water at the surface — maybe from rain or melting snow. When temperatures drop below freezing, water turns into ice, which expands and breaks the walls of those tiny pores, weakening the concrete. You probably won’t notice this damage at first. Unfortunately, though, it worsens exponentially with every freeze/thaw cycle until the pitting and flaking become obvious to the naked eye.

Sprinkling salt to your driveway and sidewalks doesn’t help either. Not only does it assist the freeze/ thaw cycle, but the salt itself accelerates the breakdown of concrete by causing corrosion under the surface, leading to cracked and crumbling concrete.

The key to protecting your driveway for the long term is to seal it from the elements. Sealing your driveway may seem like a no-brainer, but many homeowners forget this simple step only to regret it years later when it becomes necessary to replace or resurface their driveway.

Book your free, no-obligation inspection and have a trained contractor diagnose your concrete issues.

We’ve all had bad experiences with home-repair contractors at one time or another. They cancel appointments or show up late. They don’t clean up after the job is done. Maybe they spring an unexpected charge on you, forcing you to pay more than the estimate. Regardless of the situation, once a contractor has started work, you typically feel as if you have to see it through, no matter what happens. After all, you don’t want to leave a job half done, right? And this means they have you over the proverbial barrel.

There’s an easy way to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of hiring a plumber, electrician, roofer or just about any other kind of home-repair contractor. And that is to ask them a few simple questions before you hire them.

  1. How many employees do you have?
    Company size isn’t always an indicator of competence, but it’s more likely that a contractor that has at least a few job-specific employees is serious about his or her business and can handle repairs of a larger scale. When it comes to repairing a concrete driveway, for instance, you really want someone who has a lot of experience with concrete lifting instead of a Jack-of-all-trades who does a little bit of concrete, a little bit of plumbing, etc. More employees also indicates that the company is able to function as a legitimate business over time. This, too, speaks to its competence and commitment to fixing your home right, the first time.
  2. Are you accredited?
    Depending on your state, contractors need to be licensed for them to charge money for their services. Beyond that, most respectable contractors seek accreditation from organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the local chamber of commerce. This indicates that they’re a legitimate business with satisfied customers. You can also check reviews on sites such as Google, Yelp, Angie’s List and Home Advisor. And don’t just look at overall ratings; check individual reviews. A one-star review could indicate an incompetent contractor, but it could also indicate a difficult and unreasonable customer.
  3. Do you offer a warranty?
    This is a big one. The best home-repair contractors stand behind their work with some sort of guarantee. This should not only assure your satisfaction, it should also be transferable to the new owners, should you sell your home, depending on the type of work being done. A contractor who offers a written warranty on the work they do is demonstrating they aren’t some fly-by-night operation that will disappear the moment you hand them a check. Be especially careful regarding contractors who travel from location to location after severe weather events such as hail or flooding. They might offer low prices, but it’s likely they won’t be reachable should something go wrong with their work.
  4. What steps will you take to protect my property?

This may be one of the toughest questions to ask your contractor simply for the fact that it may seem disrespectful. However, it’s an important one that you’ll need to ask in advance of construction. You may need to also make sure contractors understand your HOA’s guidelines.

Generally, your contractor should be willing to take reasonable measures to protect your property, so be sure to ask what specifically he’ll do:

  • Will you use tarps to cover large furniture items and surfaces in work areas?
  • Will crew members wear shoe coverings when they enter my home?
  • Will you recommend items that I should move to other areas of my home to protect them from damage?
  • Will you close or lock doors as necessary when entering and leaving my home?

Above all, use common sense when hiring a contractor. Pay attention to how they speak and act. Do they seem eager to help you? Are they polite? Do they treat you with respect? By asking these questions and paying close attention to a contractor’s attitude, you can go a long way to ensuring that you have a positive experience. And if we all do this consistently, we might just be able to raise the bar for the whole contracting industry. After all, don’t we deserve better?

Does Your Concrete Have Freeze-Thaw Cycle Damage?

Now that fall is here in the Indianapolis area we have the chance for freezing weather quickly approaching. Did you know that concrete poured at four inches thick expands at a quarter inch per 100 feet? While that might not sound like a lot, it can have a big impact on the appearance and life of your concrete.

All concrete expands and contracts as temperatures rise and fall. Here in the Indianapolis area, we certainly get those low temperatures, as well as the high ones. The more extreme the temperature, the more extreme the movement — which is a major contributor to the formation of stress cracks and other damage.

Control joints (those straight lines cut into your concrete) are there to provide space for the concrete to crack in a controlled manner when it expands. Having read this far, what do you think happens when those cracks fill with water and freeze? That’s right! It either causes damage to occur at the joint or it forces an ugly uncontrolled crack elsewhere in the slab.

Regardless of how concrete cracks form, they are a cause for concern. During the freeze-thaw cycle, these cracks can take on water, which then freezes. This causes little pieces of concrete to break away from the edges of the crack or even force another crack to occur in a different direction.

Debris such as small pebbles in joints or cracks can also have this effect.

In this case, the solution is NexusPro, a silicone-based sealant for joints and cracks that is specially formulated to provide long-lasting flexibility and to stand up to harsh weather conditions. Unlike traditional polyurethane sealants, NexusPro resists UV rays, which means it won’t crack, bubble or dry out. It is also water impermeable to prevent ice from forming in the joints and cracks.

In more extreme cases, where there are longer expanses of concrete, CompressionGuard, a contractor-grade expansion joint, can prevent serious damage to homes, garages and driveways.

Why Fix Your Concrete Problems Now? 

For centuries, it was common practice to put off outdoor home-repair projects until warmer weather returned. These days though, at least when it comes to your concrete, it may not be necessary — and may not be wise.

The climate here in Indiana is cold enough to cause some winter issues that affect concrete, but fortunately it is rarely so cold that it prevents the application of these solutions. LevelUp Concrete Solutions is committed to helping you get your concrete spaces functioning properly and looking great no matter what the season. So, let us help you with a free inspection and no-cost quote.

After all, concrete problems don’t get better with time—they get better with us. Contact us for a free estimate!

Let’s be honest, uneven concrete is unsightly, it lowers your property value, and it’s downright dangerous as a trip hazard.  Whether it’s your sinking driveway, sidewalk, patio or pool deck (and we have a lot of concrete around our homes here in Hamilton and Marion County) – it needs to be fixed, and fixed right.

But what’s the best way to fix your uneven concrete? For many homeowners throughout Indiana, the term “mudjacking” comes to mind. And this outdated, messy method could be stopping them from fixing their concrete.

Here’s how it works: Mudjacking crews drill large-diameter holes into the surface, then inject a messy mixture of cement and soil below the concrete. Because the “mud” is hydraulically pumped under considerable pressure, it can lift the cement slab section back to its original position.

But the problem with traditional mudjacking is that the weight of the mixture that is pumped under the slab, combined with the weight of the concrete itself, can actually cause the slab to sink further if the soil beneath isn’t able to support the load.

Pros

  • Can be most inexpensive option
  • Can level concrete for a period of time

Cons

  • Not a permanent fix
  • Messy and disruptive
  • Large holes left in concrete by installers leave a polka-dotted look
  • Return to service in 1-4 days

The good news is there is a modern solution that requires minimal disruption to lift and stabilize concrete slabs.

Homeowners can achieve permanent concrete leveling with PolyLevel. PolyLevel is a two-part foam engineered to expand immediately upon injection beneath a settled slab. Injection holes are much smaller than those required for mudjacking.

In action, PolyLevel expands to many times its original volume, forcing the sunken concrete back to its original level. Within a matter of minutes, the expanded polymer hardens and reaches 90 percent or more of its final strength. This makes it possible for the restored surface to regain full functionality right away.

What we mean is, homeowners will be able to use their driveway in less than 20 minutes of concrete leveling with PolyLevel.

Pros

  • Affordable, permanent solution
  • Non-invasive and less messy
  • Immediate return to service
  • Lightweight but strong
  • Environmentally friendly

Cons

  • Can be more expensive than mudjacking

So when you’re frustrated from tripping on your uneven concrete one too many times and you’re ready to fix it, choose the option that makes the most sense for you and your family. And if you’re ready to permanently lift and level your concrete with PolyLevel, contact us for your free concrete repair estimate today!

First of all, there are a ton of factors that contribute to any concrete lifting cost because every job is different! If you go up to a realtor and ask them how much a blue house costs, how do you think they’ll respond? They might give you a funny look if you ask that, but ultimately it’s because there are so many other factors to consider! Where is it located? What is the design and layout? Have there been previous upgrades? The list goes on.

The same thing applies to slabjacking costs. Every job has different surface area, varying amount of void, level of difficulty, and so much more! This will be the same if you are looking for how much mudjacking costs or how much PolyLevel costs.

Here at LevelUp, we don’t sell an item or pre-made good. We customize our services according to each job. Our professionally trained estimators give you a custom price based on your exact needs. The price doesn’t have any hidden costs or overages, so the price given on site is the price you will get.

How much is it, really?

As a general rule of thumb, the concrete lifting cost is approximately 1/3rd of the cost to replace the concrete. Not only is concrete lifting the CHEAPER option, it’s also:

  1. Environmentally friendly
  2. Causes minimum disruption to your property and lifestyle
  3. You can walk/drive on PolyLevel lifted concrete within 15 minutes of completion
  4. We offer a 5 year warranty! (You won’t find that with any new concrete)

Unfortunately, your concrete problem will not get better with time, it will only get worse and cost more to fix.

Remember, ultimately the soil is the real problem. There’s no need to remove and replace perfectly good concrete when the concrete is not the problem! Address the soil issue and you won’t have to worry about your concrete anymore.

So, want to know how much it costs to get your concrete lifted? Contact us now for a free estimate! We’ll give you a free, no obligation quote so you can make an informed decision on your home needs.

As your concrete repair contractor, we strive to leave your home better than when we first arrived. At any point, our team members strive to leave you with better peace of mind and ultimately a better home.

Our customer care team works to promptly ease your home concerns. Our customers want safe homes. We often talk to homeowners concerned nothing can be done, either at all or within their budget, to help with their peace of mind. Our customer care team strives to fully understand concerns, accurately answer any questions and make sure our customers have a good first impression with our company.

Our sales team understands it’s a privilege to come to your home. They take their time to educate you on issues stemming from your concrete. By fully diagnosing the problem and ensuring you are left with a quote that same day, it empowers you to know the labor and financial scope of the work. We think empowered homeowners are able to make better decisions about what is often the largest asset they own.

Often times, homeowners have anxiety when a contractor starts work at their home. Our production crews know this. We expect them to arrive on time, communicate with you throughout the job and thoroughly clean up afterwards.

Allow us to leave your home better than before.

One of the most common questions we get is “How long will PolyLevel foam last under my concrete?”

It makes sense that this would be a concern for people. I mean, why would you want to invest in a temporary fix that doesn’t solve the overall problem? You don’t want to find that your repair only caused bigger problems with a bigger price tag in the end. Here’s the good news! Unlike short term options like mudjacking, PolyLevel is a solution that will last. A study done in 2006 by Argonne National Laboratory found that the longevity of rigid PolyLevel foam is more than 1000 years.

Specifics about PolyLevel foam:

  • Doesn’t degrade in extreme temperatures
  • Doesn’t degrade under dry and wet freeze-thaw testing
  • Won’t generate any gas when exposed to natural radiation
  • Doesn’t degrade if exposed to microbial or fungal attacks

Most importantly, because it doesn’t degrade under the slab, there’s no worry about dangerous chemicals leaching into the surrounding environment!

Wait, if it never degrades, isn’t that bad for the environment?

Thankfully, at the end of PolyLevel’s service life, it can be recycled or reused in a variety of ways! Ground up foam can be used as a filler in other materials, and incinerated foam can actually enhance fuel-burning efficiencies of municipal solid waste furnaces! Plus, because it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals, disposal in landfills is always a viable option if necessary.

So, there’s no need to be concerned about the long-term effects of PolyLevel foam. It’s truly the best solution for slab lifting!

Contact us today for a free estimate!

It’s time for a necessary home repair. Problems such as foundation issues, sinking concrete, sump pump failures—you name it!—can sneak up on us.

Heck, even if you’ve known for a while that an expense was coming, why pay more than you have to? The best thing you can do is be informed.

Fix It Early

It goes without saying: The smaller the issue, the easier the fix and, consequently, the lower the cost. The crack under your egress window can be quickly diagnosed and repaired. But add some rain to the picture, and the crack opens up, water flows into your basement and you’ve suddenly multiplied your expenses—and maybe even wrecked something priceless in the process.

Think of it like your car. It’s less expensive to change the oil regularly than replace your engine, right? The same thing goes for home maintenance. Unfortunately, your home doesn’t come with a check-engine light. But think of a sticking window, sloping floor or wall crack as a sign there is a problem.

Your home won’t repair itself. However, we can tell you that the sooner you diagnose and repair a problem, the easier it will be on your bank account in the long run.

Be Ready to Make a Decision

Often, contracting businesses take a no-haggle approach with homeowners. But in the absence of negotiating, they do offer discounts.

Some businesses offer same-day savings, because it helps them run more efficiently. That’s because if you wait to make your decision, another inspection may be needed. Which means sending out another person, using more gas, putting additional miles on a company car, etc.

If a company offers same-day savings, you should seriously consider it. Every day, homeowners miss out on 5% off a project that’s $10,000 or more simply because they weren’t ready to make a decision. By the way, 5% of $10,000 is $500. Not a small amount of money to anyone.

Pay Attention to Financing Options

In addition to paying cash, there are other ways to finance a home-repair project, including personal loans, home equity loans or lines of credit or using a credit card.

Sometimes interest rates are low, which helps keep the total cost of borrowing down. But other factors to consider include how low you’d like your monthly payments to be and how long you want to carry the debt.

Also, it’s a good idea to ask the contractor if there is a benefit to financing with them directly, such as paying no interest for a certain period of time or receiving a discount on the total cost of the project.

Only Fix It Once

There’s only one way to make sure you don’t need to fix an issue again, and that’s getting it done right the first time. Yes, we know this seems obvious, but hear us out. Google “bad contractor,” then immerse yourself in the hundreds of stories about the homeowners who were “taken advantage of” and “never thought it would happen” to them. Unfortunately, there are bad actors in the home repair industry. Sometimes, it’s intentional. Other times, it’s a well-meaning effort, but they simply didn’t know what they were doing.

The solution? Pick the business that you know will do it right the first time. Not the cheapest. Not the fastest. Pick the one who will stand behind their work.

Lastly, hire a specialist for the type of repair you need instead of a general contractor or handyman. Read reviews. See how the company interacts with its customers online. Ask how long they’ve been in business, what training they’ve completed and how many homes they’ve fixed. And always ask about the warranty and what happens to it if they go out of business.

As you can see, by following a few simple rules, you can make sure you not only get your home fixed right, but you can sleep well knowing you’ve actually saved money in the long run.

Sealing the joints in your concrete will help keep it looking brand new for years to come.

First off, what do we mean when we say “joints in your concrete?” When new concrete gets poured, oftentimes the contractor will make cuts in the top of the concrete. These cuts in the concrete slab, sometimes called control joints, keep the concrete from cracking across the surface as the concrete cures.

But sometimes, water can get under these joints and into the soil under your concrete. Unfortunately, water can cause a ton of issues for that concrete slab.

Soil can be washed away by the water, causing a void under your concrete. This can lead to a sinking or tilting slab. It can also cause cracks across the slab, outside of the joints.

Sealing isn’t just for the joints, though. A trained concrete repair contractor can also apply sealant to a crack in a concrete slab caused by natural settlement. This prevents water from seeping through the crack and can also improve the appearance of the concrete.

Check out our concrete repair page to learn more. Reach out today for a free, no obligation inspection of the concrete around your home.

In the summer months, a lot can happen to the concrete in and around our homes. And with more people out and about, concrete issues might feel more noticeable – and more annoying. From a sunken sidewalk slab to a cracked concrete driveway, the climate of the region has a direct impact on the soil and, ultimately, the concrete on top of it.

It’s not uncommon for many regions to experience a lot of moisture in the early summer months. The rain saturates the soil and can soften it, making concrete slabs sink. Rain and water can also wash away the dirt under and around concrete. This erodes the support underneath the concrete, causing it to crack and drop.

Dry weather and the hot summer sun can also dry out the soil around your home. As the moisture in the soil evaporates, the dirt shrinks – or takes up less space – impacting the stability underneath the concrete. Much like when dirt is washed away, the lack of support can cause the concrete to crack and fall. While it may only drop a few inches or centimeters, it can dramatically impact the safety and quality of life for those who walk on it.

While weather patterns might feel like a never-ending cycle of concrete problems, there are simple and permanent fixes. Our company has helped numerous homeowners by lifting their sunken sidewalk slab, repaired their cracked driveway and, ultimately, restored their curb appeal and safety around their home. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation inspection.