Concrete Leveling

When your driveway, patio, or sidewalk starts sinking, you might think replacement is your only option. But there's a smarter, faster, and more affordable solution. Concrete leveling, also called slab jacking or mud jacking, lifts sunken concrete back to its original position without tearing anything out.

Here's how it works. We drill small holes in the sunken slab and pump a specialized material underneath. This fills the voids that caused the sinking and gently raises the concrete back to the right level. The holes are then patched, and you can use the surface again within hours, not days.

This method saves you from the mess, expense, and time of full replacement. You get a level surface that looks great and functions properly, and you avoid the headache of demolition and disposal. For most homeowners in Town n Country, concrete leveling is the practical choice when dealing with uneven slabs.

Uneven concrete isn't just an eyesore. It creates trip hazards that can lead to injuries, especially for kids and older adults. Water can pool in low spots, leading to further erosion and foundation problems. Fixing the issue early protects your property and keeps everyone safe.

Understanding why your concrete sank helps you prevent future problems. In Town n Country and throughout the Tampa area, soil conditions play a big role. Our sandy soil can shift and settle over time, especially after heavy rains or when drainage isn't managed properly.

Poor compaction during the original installation is another common culprit. If the soil wasn't properly prepared before the concrete was poured, voids can form underneath as the ground naturally settles. This leaves the slab with no support, and gravity does the rest.

Here are the most common reasons concrete slabs sink:

• Soil erosion from water runoff or poor drainage
• Soil shrinkage during dry periods
• Inadequate soil compaction before the pour
• Tree roots growing underneath and then dying back
• Plumbing leaks washing away supporting soil
• Heavy loads or equipment repeatedly placed in the same spot

Once you know what caused the problem, we can address it during the leveling process. This might mean improving drainage, adding proper compaction, or making sure water is directed away from the slab. Fixing the root cause means your newly leveled concrete will stay put for years to come.

When you compare concrete leveling to full replacement, the advantages become clear quickly. Cost is the first thing most homeowners notice. Leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than tearing out and replacing the same area. You get the same result, a flat and functional surface, without the hefty price tag.

Time is another major factor. Concrete driveway replacement can take several days from demolition to curing, and you can't use the area during that time. With leveling, most jobs are done in a few hours, and the concrete is ready to use the same day. No waiting around for a week while your driveway cures.

Leveling is also better for the environment. There's no need to haul away tons of broken concrete or bring in truckloads of new materials. You're keeping the existing slab and simply adjusting its position. Less waste, fewer trucks, and a smaller carbon footprint.

You also avoid the disruption that comes with replacement. No jackhammers shaking your house, no piles of rubble in your yard, and no damage to surrounding landscaping. The process is clean, quiet, and minimally invasive. Your neighbors will barely notice we're there.

Finally, leveling preserves the original look of your property. If your concrete patio or driveway has a specific finish or color, replacement means starting over and trying to match it. With leveling, you keep the same surface you've always had, just brought back to the proper height.

Our concrete leveling process is straightforward, but it requires precision and experience to get it right. We start with a thorough inspection of the sunken area. We measure the exact amount of settling, check for cracks or damage, and look for the underlying cause. This tells us exactly what needs to be done.

Next, we drill small holes, usually about an inch and a half in diameter, in strategic locations across the sunken slab. These holes are where we'll pump in the leveling material. We space them carefully to ensure even lifting and avoid creating new stress points in the concrete.

We then pump a specialized slurry material through the holes. This fills the voids beneath the slab and applies gentle, controlled pressure. As the material expands or hardens, it lifts the concrete gradually. We monitor the process closely, adjusting pressure and volume to achieve a perfectly level surface.

Once the slab reaches the correct height, we stop pumping and allow the material to set. Depending on the method used, this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours. We then patch the drill holes with color matched concrete so they blend in with the surrounding surface.

Finally, we clean up the work area and do a final inspection. We check that the slab is level, stable, and free of new cracks or issues. You can typically walk on the surface within a few hours and drive on it the same day. It's a fast, effective solution that gets your property back to normal quickly.