Unleveled Concrete: The Hazards and the Solutions

Unlevel concrete can be a significant hazard for both homeowners and business owners.  Uneven sidewalks, steps, patios garages and walkways are all tripping hazards that can end up costing an owner physical harm, or thousands of dollars if someone else is injured on property. What do some of these hazards look like?:

• Sunken or buckled concrete walkways or sidewalks
• Cracked or sunken pool decks
• Cracked or sunken concrete steps
• Garage floor cracks

Depending on what kind of issue you have in your home or place of business, having these kinds of conditions can prove extremely costly if not addressed. The bottom line is, concrete floors that are uneven are dangerous, and should be repaired.   Unfortunately, many home and business owners feel they have the ability to fix these issues on their own, but correcting these hazards should always be left to a concrete repair professional. Understanding not only the cause of the damage but how to fix it will not only address the immediate problem, but insure that the problem will not likely reoccur again.

There are several items to consider as to what caused unlevel concrete in the first place; in many cases, it’s poorly compacted soil.  Damage typically occurs within the first five years or so of the concrete being poured, but water and weather damage can shift the soil as well, cause concrete slabs to crack, concrete steps to sink, or pool decks to lift or buckle.

What could happen if you don’t repair the concrete?  Consider the following possibilities:

• The problem always gets worse
• It can impact the resale of your home or business
• Water intrusion, seepage or puddling
• Further structural damage
• Property devaluation
• Home sale closing delays

These are just a few reasons to fix your sinking concrete.

A concrete leveling professional will insure the soil is properly compacted, and then start the repairs to level out an uneven concrete service.

How is this done? A skilled concrete repair will start by drilling a series of 1″ or 1 1/2″ holes based on the type of slab and job. Then a sand/clay/cement grout is mixed and pumped beneath the slab. Once any voids are filled, pressure begins to build and raise the slab. After the concrete has been raised, the drill holes are cleaned and patched with a fast-setting high-strength cement.

What many homeowners and business owners don’t realize is that many times, an uneven concrete area, such as stairs, walkways, or patios, doesn’t require the entire area be ripped out and replaced. Concrete repair can be an extremely cost-effective alternative to replacement, saving an owner thousands of dollars. When looking for a company to do concrete repairs, look for the following:

• Timely response to your inquiry.
• Someone who specialize in concrete.
• Experience and equipment to do the job correctly.
• Reasonable, reliable, and insured.
• Highly recommended commercially and residentially with references supplied upon request.

Unlevel concrete is indeed a hazard, but there are solutions available. Do your homework and get quotes from concrete professionals to get the hazard addressed as quickly as possible.