What causes concrete to sink?
The causes of concrete leveling, settlement, and sinking are the same whether it's a driveway, walkway, patio, garage floor, or pool deck. As soil underneath a concrete slab shrinks, settles, or washes away, this leaves empty space, or voids, beneath the slab. With the soil no longer supporting the slab, the concrete will sink, creating an uneven surface.
Poorly Compacted Soil
When your home was built, soil movement around the building site results in poor compaction. Even when the replaced soil is compacted well, it's never as stable as the original soil. Over time, this can cause voids to form and slabs to settle.
Dry Soil
Another cause of soil failure is drought. During dry conditions or even just during periods of warm weather and low precipitation, the soil under your concrete will dry out and shrink, creating voids. The concrete above eventually cracks and sinks into these empty spaces, especially if any weight is placed on it.
Flooding
When the rains return, the water has an even easier pathway under the slab due to cracks and crevices left over from the dry period. And this wet, soft soil is too weak to support the concrete above it. In the worst case, the soil erodes and washes away completely, leaving behind large voids that cannot support the weight of the concrete above.
Concrete Leveling Services for Settled or Sunken Slabs
We can fix settled concrete and prevent further sinking with our PolyLevel® lifting and leveling solution. PolyLevel is a fast, effective option for repairing your sunken concrete slab with minimal downtime. With PolyLevel, we can quickly restore the appearance and safety of your concrete without the mess or cost of replacement or traditional mudjacking. PolyLevel uses a high-density polyurethane foam to fill voids and stabilize and lift sinking concrete slabs. The expanding properties of the two-part urethane formula allows for accurate leveling of the slab. The result is a waterproof repair that's much more permanent than mudjacking and other common concrete repair methods.
How It Works
A LevelUp contractor will drill small holes in the slab.
A high-density polyurethane will be injected through the drilled holes. The polymer will spread beneath the slab and lift it.
The holes are patched, and the cracks are filled. You'll be able to use your concrete slab within one day.
Advantages of PolyLevel
Our PolyLevel lifting and leveling solution offers several distinct advantages over traditional mudjacking methods:
Mudjacking vs. PolyLevel
Before PolyLevel, there were two basic options for lifting and leveling concrete: mudjacking and slab replacement. Both approaches have limitations and disadvantages. PolyLevel offers many advantages over traditional concrete leveling methods:
| Cure Time | 24+ Hours | 15 Minutes |
| Material Weight | 100 lbs. per cubic ft. | 2 lbs. per cubic ft. |
| Hole Size | 1" (size of a quarter) | 3/8" (smaller than a dime) |
| Waterproof? | No | Yes |
PolyLevel vs. Concrete Replacement
Replacing a concrete slab is both expensive and disruptive. Concrete slabs can take days—or even weeks—to cure. Without soil stabilization, pouring new concrete over bad soil often results in future problems and leaves unsightly patchwork. In contrast, PolyLevel is lightweight and won't add weight to weak soil. Best of all, PolyLevel allows for the use of concrete within hours, not weeks.
PolyLevel can be used for various applications:
Driveway Repair
Cracked or sunken driveways can increase wear and tear on your vehicle, not to mention reduce your home's curb appeal. We offer full-service solutions to repair, lift, and level your driveway to last for years to come.
Sidewalk & Step Repair
Cracked, sunken, and uneven sidewalks present a huge tripping hazard. LevelUp can repair concrete sidewalks and stairs using a combination of crack sealant, lifting, and leveling to restore safety and neighborhood appeal.
Commercial Applications
If your property's concrete slabs are cracking or warped from heavy-duty wear and tear, we can help. Our team is ready to deploy to commercial, municipal, and industrial job sites, large and small.
Concrete Leveling Examples
Protect Your Investment
Once your repair is complete, protect your concrete with our SealantPro solution. Unlike concrete sealers available at big-box stores, SealantPro permanently protects concrete with just one application and extends its life up to 5x longer than DIY solutions.
Developed by Foundation Supportworks, SealantPro is a state-of-the-art material that bonds with concrete on a molecular level, permanently protecting it from water, dirt, and other contaminants in a single coat. Once applied, SealantPro dries in minutes and fully cures in just 6 hours so that you can use your driveway or sidewalk the same day. It is simple, fast, economical—and highly effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most common questions we get from homeowners about cracked concrete repair.
-
What causes concrete to sink?
Poorly compacted soil: When your home was built, soil movement around the building site results in poor compaction. Even when the replaced soil is compacted well, it's never as stable as the original soil. Over time, this can cause voids to form and slabs to settle.
Dry soil: Another cause of soil failure is drought. During dry conditions or even just during periods of warm weather and low precipitation, the soil under your concrete will dry out and shrink, creating voids. The concrete above eventually cracks and sinks into these empty spaces, especially if any weight is placed on it.
Flooding: When the rains return, the water has an even easier pathway under the slab due to cracks and crevices left over from the dry period. And this wet, soft soil is too weak to support the concrete above it. In the worst case, the soil erodes and washes away completely, leaving behind large voids that cannot support the weight of the concrete above.
-
How much does repairing uneven concrete cost?
Our PolyLevel solution is cost-effective over the long term because it offers a long-lasting solution, unlike mudjacking which can degrade over time. The cost for concrete leveling depends on the project's size and application, so don't hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate!
-
What is PolyLevel?
PolyLevel is a two-part urethane polymer that expands into high-density foam to fill voids, lift and stabilize concrete.
-
How much does PolyLevel cost?
PolyLevel is a proprietary product developed by Foundation Supportworks and is available exclusively from LevelUp and other concrete repair contractors in the Foundation Supportworks network. The cost for concrete leveling depends on the project's size and application, so don't hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate! PolyLevel is cost-effective because it offers a solution that is long-lasting, unlike mudjacking and slab replacement. And your concrete will never cost less to repair than it does right now.
-
Is PolyLevel safe for the environment?
Yes. PolyLevel does not react with soil or moisture, so it will not leach harmful chemicals into the soil.
-
Can I lift or level sunken concrete myself?
We do not recommend attempting to lift or level concrete yourself as most DIY products require specialized equipment and do not result in a long-lasting solution. Don't hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate!
-
How soon can I use my driveway/sidewalk/patio/pool deck?
PolyLevel cures very quickly. In fact, you can drive your car over a driveway slab just 15 minutes after it's been lifted with PolyLevel.
-
What is mudjacking or slabjacking?
Mudjacking (or slabjacking) is the process of lifting a concrete slab using a cement slurry, which is usually a mix of sand, water, and cement. Compared to PolyLevel, mudjacking is signficantly heavier, messier, and more time consuming.
-
Is PolyLevel better than mudjacking?
PolyLevel offers many advantages over traditional concrete leveling methods like mudjacking. PolyLevel is significantly lighter at only 2 lbs. per cubic foot compared to 100 lbs. for cement slurry, which means a much more efficient installation process. PolyLevel is less invasive, only requiring holes that are smaller than the size of a dime to be drilled. PolyLevel won't wash away or erode over time, and best of all—it's cured and ready for traffic after just 15 minutes.
-
How long does PolyLevel last?
PolyLevel does not react with soil or moisture so it won't erode away over time, effectively making it a permanent solution for filling voids and lifting settled concrete.
-
Does PolyLevel require maintenance?
No. Once it's cured, your driveway/patio/sidewalk/pool deck are ready to use and don't require re-application of PolyLevel unless the underlying soil degrades further.
-
Do you fix basement or retaining walls?
No. We focus on lifting and leveling slab foundation floors.
From Our Learning Center
Flexible Financing Options
We offer flexible financing options for homeowners in Indiana. During our visit, one of our specialists will help you find a financing option that works for you for practically any job. Our experts are trained to use every resource possible to get you the best financing rates available.
Need a repair? LevelUp is here to help.
Contact us to schedule a free estimate, or book an appointment below.
We're looking forward to meeting you!