FREQUENTLY ASKED CONCRETE LEVELING QUESTIONS
What concrete leveling services do you offer?
Poly leveling, polyjacking, slabjacking, concrete leveling, void filling- (we previously provided mudjacking but have now switched to poly leveling) – whatever you want to call it, it is our specialty. Basically we fix your sinking concrete. For instance, we can level sunken concrete steps, correct uneven patios, fix sinking walkways, level uneven driveways, jack garage floors, provide pool deck leveling, level warehouse floors, and fix other uneven concrete. We provide residential and commercial concrete leveling in Friendswood and surrounding areas, including concrete leveling in Houston.
What is concrete raising? How does it work?
Concrete leveling is the process of raising sunken concrete using a polyurethane foam. By drilling small holes, about the size of a dime, in the concrete slab to be leveled, then pumping a foam mixture under the slab, we can raise the slab. After the concrete is at the proper height, the holes are filled with concrete to match the existing slab. Poly leveling is basically the same thing as mudjacking, except we use a poly foam to raise and level your concrete, and it is a superior product to mudjacking.
What types of surfaces do you raise or level?
Sunken sidewalks, driveway slabs, concrete patios, garage floors, and various other slabs around your home’s exterior can be corrected by our experts! We also do commercial leveling, such as warehouse floors, pool decks, slab homes, and more.
Where do you operate?
We serve the city of Dallas, Dallas County, and surrounding areas including: Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Combine, Coppell, Ferris, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grand Prairie, Balch Springs, Cockrell Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Addison, Rockwall, Plano, Arlington, Castle Hills, Highland Park, Sunnyvale, Grapevine, Lewisville, Mesquite, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sanchse, Seagoville, Wylie, Hutchins, Irving, Lancaster, University Park, Wilmer, Alpha, Buckingham, Cedar Springs, Duck Creek, Liberty Grove, Letot, La Reunion, Kleberg, Hord’s Ridge, Hatterville, Fruitdale, East Dallas, Embree, Little Egypt, Long Creek, New Hope, Oak Cliff, Tripp, Trinity Mills, Scyene, Rylie, Renner, Preston Hollow, Pleasant Grove, Penn Springs – as well as other surrounding communities.
Why do I need concrete leveling?
To put it simply, to protect your home, your family and yourself. If your concrete slabs fail to properly direct water away from your foundation, you risk costly water damage to your home. Not fixing it can create problems that nobody wants – foundation bracing costing tens of thousands of Friendswood. Even if water damage isn’t the concern, creating level surfaces to walk and play on means fewer hazards. These are two of the most common reasons customers call us for help.
How much does concrete leveling and void filling cost?
Like any improvement project, the cost of leveling or void filling depends on the scope of the work that needs to be done to correct the slab. Small jobs can start at a few hundred Friendswood, but for larger areas they can go upward of $3,000. However, no matter the size of the job, leveling will be less expensive than concrete replacement. To get a FREE estimate, contact us right away.
Is concrete replacement cheaper?
Absolutely not! Most concrete leveling services are half to one-third the cost of concrete replacement.
Why did my concrete sink?
Plainly put: mother nature happens. Over time, soil settling, soil erosion, or underground plumbing damage can take its toll, causing your once level concrete to shift and settle. It’s most prevalent in areas of the country with certain types of soil, or where there is an annual freeze-thaw cycle, like Friendswood. Through this shifting of earth, your concrete may sink, heave, and even become cracked. Poly leveling, (or you may know it as mudjacking) can bring your concrete back to its former height and restore the integrity of the slab.
What is a void under my concrete?
A void is an empty space under the concrete that can be caused by water erosion or soil settling. This can lead to buckling, cracking, or settling of the concrete above.
Could rodent have done this?
Rodents certainly can create soil damage. Some rodents, like groundhogs or moles, dig tunnels that can cause the concrete above to sink or crack.
Should I replace my concrete instead of leveling it?
Tearing out then pouring new concrete slabs/patios/floors can be very expensive – usually far more than the cost of concrete raising. On top of the cost, ripping out sinking concrete is a much messier process and can do damage to surrounding landscaping. Concrete leveling is also a much shorter repair. Once we’re done leveling your concrete, you’ll be able to walk on the area almost immediately – no waiting for concrete to set.
How long does concrete leveling take?
Depending on the size of the area to be repaired, you can expect concrete leveling (aka mudjacking) to take anywhere from 1 hour to most of the day. However, the resulting corrected area can be walked on immediately.
Do I have to be home while you raise the concrete?
So long as the slabs you need raised are on the exterior of your home, then, no, you don’t need to be present. We can fix sidewalks, patios, etc, while you’re away. However, if the slab is located in a garage or other interior area, then we’ll need you there.
What exactly is the concrete leveling process?
If you are curious about how we fix uneven concrete, check out our What is Concrete Leveling page to see a video of how it works.
Why should I do choose concrete leveling instead of just replacing my concrete?
If your concrete is not heavily cracked or damaged, concrete leveling will be about 1/2 to 1/3 less expensive than replacing the slab. You will also save time and hassle by choosing concrete leveling. The process usually takes a couple of hours instead of several days, you can drive or walk on the surface within hours, and there is much less mess after.
Will there be a lot of noise? What about dust and debris?
Polyurethane foam leveling equipment makes about as much noise as a lawnmower. As for dust and debris, part of the process involves drilling small holes, which may make some dust. On occasion concrete needs to be sawed, which can make a lot of dust, but it can be managed by using water during the process.
How much space do you need when completing this project?
The amount of space needed depends on the extent of the services you require. Give us a call or send a message to get a better estimate of space needed for your situation.
Will concrete leveling cause damage to my yard or sprinklers?
In nearly all situations, you will not see any damage from the leveling process. However, if your yard is very wet and the soil is soft, small ruts can be caused by the weight of the pump.
Could my concrete crack during the leveling process?
When moving any concrete, it is possible that some cracks can appear. Some concrete, when sunken, gets small cracks on the bottom that are not necessarily visible from the top. When moved, this crack could become larger. However, these cracks are not caused by lifting the concrete itself. If you use an experienced, professional leveling company who is familiar with the process, cracking is highly unlikely.
How many holes can I expect?
The number of holes depends on the size of the area being leveled and the way in which the concrete has moved. Larger slabs typically require more holes to properly fill beneath.
Will any patched holes match the current concrete?
Unless your concrete is new, the new patches will likely be a lighter color. Concrete darkens over time, but so will the patches, meaning that they will blend with your slab better over time.
What happens if I don’t level my concrete?
That all depends on the problem area and what the underlying problem is. If you have a walkway or patio slab that slopes towards your home, you risk costly water damage as water pools around your home’s foundation. If the problem area is away from your home’s exterior, you may risk tripping and falling – which can also be costly to you and your guests. Leaving sinking concrete can cause further settling and damage to the slab itself, meaning that it may crumble and need to be replaced. So when in doubt, slab jack it!
How can I prevent concrete from sinking or cracking?
In order to keep your concrete level, you must ensure the soil under it is completely compacted and free from flowing water. It is also important that all outdoor ground slopes away from your house. Additionally, maintain your home’s drainage systems so water does not become trapped or leak out under concrete, and that all holes or cracks in concrete slabs are sealed.
Is it possible to lower concrete slabs?
Concrete cannot be lowered using a poly leveling process, however we can raise the adjoining concrete slabs to make the area level. Another option is to apply a concrete grinding process to even out the concrete.
Can you level my sidewalk if tree roots have caused it to lift or buckle?
In most cases, yes. If tree roots have caused your soil or concrete to shift, we can use the mudjacking process or concrete grinding to level the area. However, when a tree root has caused upward movement, the concrete will not be able to be lowered.
What is “grinding” and how is it used?
Concrete grinding is when concrete is shaved (or “ground”) down to match the height of adjoining slabs. Grinding is a good solution for slabs that cannot be leveled by poly raising and also much cheaper than concrete replacement.
How long will these services last?
When you choose the Dallas Concrete Leveling for a concrete leveling service, the results will last many years. Our grout product is a mixture of crushed rock that will not deteriorate, be compacted or settle. In some cases, the soil may erode or shift again, but the concrete can be easily moved using the same holes.
What maintenance is required after a mudjacking or leveling service?
Sometimes there is some minor work required to maintain your leveled area. Depending on the project, you may need to caulk joints or update drainage, but we can advise you on what kind of maintenance you can expect when you call for your free estimate. Also, if we are drilling into a colored or finished concrete, we will do our best to patch the hole with a matching color. But that doesn’t require any additional work for you.
If I need concrete raising or void filling, does that mean my home has structural issues?
Most areas that require raising are not structurally tied to your homes, meaning they are not part of the foundation. However, if there has been prolonged water damage because of sinking concrete, then there is a possibility of foundation damage.
What about DIY concrete raising?
My father-in-law did his own DIY mudjacking and was able to raise his sidewalk about 3″. However do-it-yourself concrete lifting is not an easy task. My father-in-law is a retired farmer and avid handyman with heavy machinery and tools at his disposal. He used a tractor and multiple large car jacks for his diy concrete raising project and it turned out amazing. Unfortunately most of us don’t have the tools or time for diy concrete lifting projects. If you visited us here thinking about how to raise a concrete slab yourself, but have changed your mind… give us a call today. We are the best at concrete leveling in Friendswood, TX.
Do I need a building permit?
No, a building permit is not required for a poly leveling or concrete leveling project.
