Why is my Concrete Sinking and How Do I Fix It?

A common question homeowners ask is, why is my concrete sinking, and how do I fix it? Concrete is a very durable, strong material that can be used in many different ways. It's one of the most commonly used materials in construction projects because it's very durable. Unfortunately, concrete can become damaged or sunken over time. Settling can happen for many reasons, such as exposure to the elements or heavy traffic. Sunken or settled concrete can cause injuries and damage buildings if not repaired. Replacing concrete can be expensive, but thankfully there are other options for repairing sunken and settled concrete. Read on to learn more!

There is many reasons why your concrete slab might be sinking. When concrete slabs sink or settle a noticeable amount, it is usually due to poor construction or exposure to water. Concrete slabs are only as strong as the base they are built on, so if the soil wasn't compacted properly before pouring, the concrete slab will start to sink and settle over time. A very common place you will see sunken and settled concrete is around the foundation of your home. When your home's foundation is built, contractors excavate the area a bit wider, known as the over-dig area, to allow room for the installation and removal of the forms. If the over-dig area is not correctly back-filled, the soil will settle over time and cause the concrete to sink.

Another leading cause for sinking concrete is water intrusion. Water in the soil below the concrete slab can erode or wash away the soil over time, causing the slab to sink. A common place you will see water intrusion is along the edge of a concrete slab where the downspout discharges water. If the water can't flow away from the concrete slab, it will accumulate in the soil below and cause the slab to sink.

So how do you repair sunken and settled concrete slabs? There are many options available. Traditional options like mudjacking are invasive and time-consuming. At Trademark Concrete Lift & Levelling, we repair sunken and settled concrete with polyurethane foam. This process is quick, efficient and long-lasting. Our team begins by drilling small holes into the concrete slab. We then inject polyurethane foam into the soil below that expands and fills the voids, lifting the sunken concrete slab back into its original position. Once the process is complete, the holes are patched, and the area is ready for use almost immediately. Smaller jobs can be completed in as little as half an hour, and larger jobs usually don't take more than a day. 

There are many benefits to lifting sunken concrete with polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is usually a permanent solution to settled concrete. It is hydrophobic, so it will not be affected when excess water is present in the soil. Polyurethane foam is also made partly from recycled materials and is environmentally friendly! It doesn't contain any toxic chemicals that can seep into the ground over time. Lifting and levelling concrete with polyurethane foam is the best way to fix sunken and settled concrete. 

Sunken concrete slabs are unsightly and can be dangerous. But with polyurethane foam, they are easy to fix! At Trademark Concrete Lift & Levelling, we are proud to provide innovative concrete levelling services using the most advanced solutions available. Our polyurethane foam concrete lifting method is perfect for raising settled concrete for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers. At Trademark, we have built a strong reputation in our community by providing the best service to our customers. We are committed to maintaining that reputation. We offer free estimates for your concrete levelling project and back our work with a five-year warranty. Contact us today, and let Trademark get you levelled!