Stop tripping over uneven concrete and fix sunken slabs without the mess and expense of replacement.
You've probably noticed it. One section of your driveway sits lower than the rest. Your sidewalk has a lip that everyone trips over. Your patio slopes the wrong way and water pools near your house. This happens when the soil underneath your concrete settles or washes away, leaving empty space below. Without support, the concrete sinks.
Several things cause this problem. Poor soil compaction during the original installation is a big one. If the base wasn't packed down properly, it settles over time. Water is another culprit. Rain and drainage issues wash soil out from under your concrete, especially around downspouts or areas with poor grading. Even tree roots can lift concrete on one side, making other sections drop lower. In Massachusetts, our freeze-thaw cycles make everything worse by expanding and contracting the soil underneath.
Sunken concrete isn't just an eyesore. It creates real problems:
The good news? You don't have to tear out and replace your concrete to fix it. Concrete leveling gives you a faster, cheaper solution that solves the problem for good.
Concrete leveling, also called mudjacking or slabjacking, lifts sunken concrete back to its original position. We use two main methods depending on your situation.
This is the traditional method that's been used for decades. Here's how it works. We drill small holes through your concrete slab, usually 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Then we pump a mixture of cement, sand, and water underneath the slab through those holes. As the mixture fills the voids, it lifts the concrete back up to the right level.
We control the lift carefully, raising the slab gradually until it's level with the surrounding concrete. Once it's at the right height, the slurry hardens and provides permanent support. We fill the drill holes with concrete and smooth them over. The whole process usually takes a few hours, and you can walk on it the same day. Drive on it in 24 to 48 hours.
This is a newer method that uses expanding polyurethane foam instead of concrete slurry. We drill even smaller holes, about the size of a dime. Then we inject two-part foam underneath the slab. The foam expands and hardens within minutes, lifting the concrete and filling all the voids.
Foam is lighter than concrete slurry, so it doesn't add extra weight to already weak soil. It's also waterproof, which helps prevent future erosion. The smaller holes and faster cure time make it appealing for many homeowners. You can use the area in as little as 15 minutes after we finish. The downside? It costs more than traditional mudjacking.
We help you decide based on your situation. For most residential driveways, sidewalks, and patios, traditional mudjacking works great and costs less. For areas with very weak soil, small spaces, or situations where weight is a concern, foam injection might be better. We assess your property and give you honest recommendations, not just the most expensive option.
When your concrete is sunken but not cracked or crumbling, leveling makes way more sense than replacement. Here's why.
Cost is the biggest reason. Leveling typically costs 50% to 70% less than tearing out and replacing the same concrete. A leveling job that costs $1,200 might cost $3,000 to $5,000 to replace. You get the same result for less money.
Speed is another advantage. Leveling takes a few hours. Replacement takes days or even weeks when you factor in demo, removal, base prep, pouring, and curing time. With leveling, your driveway or sidewalk is back in use the same day or next day. With replacement, you're looking at a week or more before you can drive on it.
Less mess means easier cleanup. Leveling doesn't require digging, hauling away tons of broken concrete, or bringing in heavy equipment that tears up your yard. We drill a few small holes, pump in the material, and we're done. Your landscaping stays intact.
Of course, leveling only works if your concrete is structurally sound. If it's badly cracked, crumbling, or damaged, then repair or replacement is the better option. We'll tell you honestly which approach makes sense for your situation.
If the underlying cause is addressed, concrete leveling can be a permanent fix. The key is making sure water drainage is correct and the soil stays stable. If water keeps washing soil away or your downspout dumps water right next to the slab, it could sink again. We look at drainage issues and recommend fixes to prevent future problems. Most leveling jobs last 5 to 10 years minimum, and many last much longer. Some last indefinitely if the conditions stay stable.
You'll see them up close, but they're small and we fill them with fresh concrete that matches your slab. Traditional mudjacking leaves holes about the size of a quarter. Foam injection leaves holes the size of a penny or dime. From a few feet away, most people don't notice them. Over time, they blend in as the repair material weathers. They're way less noticeable than a sunken slab or a brand new replacement section that doesn't match the rest of your concrete.
It depends on the cracks. Small hairline cracks usually aren't a problem. We can level the slab and then seal the cracks afterward. Large cracks that go all the way through or multiple cracks that have broken the slab into pieces make leveling less effective. In those cases, replacement or major repair is the better option. When we come look at your concrete, we'll tell you whether leveling will work or if you need a different solution. We're not going to recommend leveling if it won't solve your problem. Learn more about our options on our concrete driveways page.
Get rid of trip hazards and drainage problems fast. We'll come assess your concrete and give you a straightforward quote.
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