Concrete Leveling
Fix sunken, uneven concrete slabs without the cost and disruption of full replacement.
Why Concrete Sinks and Settles
When sections of your concrete driveway, patio, or sidewalk sink lower than the surrounding areas, it creates trip hazards, drainage problems, and an unsightly appearance. This settling happens when the soil beneath the slab erodes, compacts, or shifts. Water washing away soil, poor compaction during installation, or natural ground movement all contribute to the problem. Once a slab starts to sink, it rarely corrects itself. In fact, it usually gets worse over time.
Around Bartlesville, our clay soil and weather patterns make settling a common issue. Heavy rains can wash out soil beneath slabs, especially if drainage wasn't properly planned. Freeze-thaw cycles cause the ground to heave and settle repeatedly. And when concrete was poured on poorly compacted fill or disturbed soil, settling is almost guaranteed. The good news is that in many cases, you don't need to tear out and replace the entire slab. Concrete leveling offers a faster, less expensive solution.
Concrete leveling, also called slab jacking or mud jacking, lifts sunken sections back to their original height by injecting material beneath the slab. This process restores the surface to level, eliminates trip hazards, and fixes drainage issues without the mess and cost of full replacement. For concrete repair in Bartlesville, leveling is often the smart choice when the concrete itself is still in good condition but has just settled unevenly.
How Concrete Leveling Works
Concrete leveling involves drilling small holes through the sunken slab and pumping a specialized material underneath. As the material fills the voids beneath the concrete, it lifts the slab back to the proper level. Here's how the process works step by step.
Assessment and Preparation
We start by evaluating the extent of the settling and identifying what caused it. Understanding why the slab sank helps us determine if leveling is the right solution and if any drainage or soil issues need to be addressed. We measure the difference in height between the sunken and stable sections to determine how much lift is needed.
Drilling and Injection
Next, we drill small holes through the concrete at strategic locations. These holes are typically about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Through these holes, we inject a lifting material beneath the slab. As the material fills the empty space and compacts the soil, it raises the concrete. We monitor the lift carefully to bring the slab back to the correct level without over-lifting.
Finishing and Cleanup
Once the slab is level, we patch the injection holes with fresh concrete to match the surrounding surface. The repair is ready for use quickly, often within hours. The result is a level, stable surface that eliminates trip hazards and restores proper drainage. In most cases, leveling extends the life of your concrete for years without the disruption and expense of replacement.
When Leveling Makes Sense
Concrete leveling is a great solution for many settling problems, but it's not right for every situation. Here's when leveling works well and when replacement might be the better option.
- •Good candidates for leveling: Slabs that have settled but are otherwise in good structural condition. If the concrete is sound with only minor surface cracking and the settling is due to soil issues rather than concrete failure, leveling is often the best choice.
- •Common applications: Driveways, patios, sidewalks, garage floors, and pool decks are all good candidates for leveling when they've settled unevenly. Even small height differences of an inch or two can create problems that leveling solves.
- •Cost and time savings: Leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than full replacement and takes a fraction of the time. You avoid excavation, disposal, and the long curing time required for new concrete.
- •When replacement is better: If the concrete has severe cracking, structural damage, or is at the end of its lifespan, leveling won't solve the underlying problems. In these cases, concrete replacement is the more practical long-term solution.
We'll assess your specific situation honestly and recommend the option that makes the most sense. Sometimes leveling is perfect, and sometimes replacement is the better investment. Our goal is to give you a solution that lasts and fits your budget.