Concrete Leveling

Fixing Sunken Concrete Without Replacement

When concrete slabs sink or settle, they create trip hazards, drainage problems, and an unsightly appearance. You might think replacement is the only option, but concrete leveling offers a faster, cheaper alternative. This process lifts sunken concrete back to its original position without tearing it out.

Concrete leveling, also called slabjacking or mudjacking, works by pumping material underneath the slab to lift it. The process takes hours instead of days, costs about half as much as replacement, and lets you use the surface almost immediately. If your concrete is structurally sound but just sitting low, leveling is usually the smart choice.

We level driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, and any other concrete flatwork that has settled. The Leavenworth area has varied soil conditions that can cause settling over time. Rather than accepting sunken concrete or spending thousands on replacement, leveling gives you an affordable fix that lasts. This is part of the comprehensive concrete services we provide throughout Leavenworth.

Why Concrete Settles and Sinks

Understanding why concrete settles helps you prevent future problems. Concrete itself does not shrink or compress. The sinking happens because the soil underneath moves or compacts. Here are the common causes we see.

Soil Erosion and Washout

Water flowing under a slab can wash away soil particles. This creates voids under the concrete. With nothing supporting it, the slab eventually cracks and sinks into the void. Poor drainage is usually the culprit. Downspouts dumping water near concrete or improper grading can cause erosion over time.

Soil Compaction

Loose or poorly compacted soil underneath concrete will settle under the weight. This often happens with newer construction where the base was not prepared properly. The soil compacts naturally over time, but the concrete drops with it. Clay soils are especially prone to this as they expand when wet and shrink when dry.

Tree Roots

Large trees near concrete can cause problems. Growing roots push slabs up. When roots die or are cut, the soil around them settles and the concrete sinks. Trees also extract moisture from soil, causing clay to shrink and concrete to settle.

Signs Your Concrete Needs Leveling

• Visible gaps between concrete slabs at different heights
• Trip hazards where one section is higher than another
• Water pooling on concrete that used to drain properly
• Cracks forming where concrete sections have moved apart
• Doors or gates that no longer close properly due to shifted concrete
• Gaps appearing between concrete and adjacent structures

If you see these signs, leveling can fix the problem before it gets worse. Addressing settling early costs less than waiting until major damage occurs.

How the Leveling Process Works

Concrete leveling is a proven technique that has been used for decades. Modern materials and equipment make it even more effective and long-lasting. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.

Assessment and Preparation

We start by examining your concrete to determine if leveling is the right solution. We check for structural damage, measure how much the slab has settled, and identify what caused the settling. If drainage issues exist, we address those first to prevent future problems.

Drilling and Injection

Small holes about 2 inches in diameter are drilled through the sunken slab at strategic locations. We then pump a specialized material through these holes. The material fills voids under the slab and creates pressure that lifts the concrete. We monitor the lift carefully to raise the slab to the correct height.

Finishing and Cleanup

Once the slab reaches the proper level, we patch the drill holes with concrete that matches the existing surface. The material underneath cures quickly, so the concrete is stable within hours. We clean up thoroughly, leaving your property looking better than when we arrived.

The entire process usually takes a few hours for most residential projects. You can walk on the leveled concrete immediately and drive on it the next day. Compare that to replacement, which requires excavation, disposal, forms, pouring, and a week of curing time. For damaged concrete that needs more than leveling, we also provide full concrete repair and replacement services.

Common Questions About Concrete Leveling

Here are the questions Leavenworth homeowners ask us most about concrete leveling and slabjacking.