Concrete Leveling

Why Concrete Sinks and How We Fix It

Concrete slabs sink when the soil underneath erodes, compacts, or washes away. This happens gradually over time as water flows beneath the slab, carrying soil particles with it. Tree roots can also create voids as they grow and then decay. Poor compaction during initial construction leaves spaces that eventually collapse under the weight of the concrete. The result is uneven surfaces that create trip hazards and look terrible. Traditional solutions involved demolition and replacement, which is expensive, messy, and time-consuming.

Concrete leveling offers a better alternative. Also called slabjacking or mudjacking, this process lifts sunken concrete back to its original position by injecting material underneath. Modern polyurethane foam leveling is even more advanced, using lightweight expanding foam that fills voids and lifts slabs with precision. The process is faster, cleaner, and costs about half as much as replacement. Most leveling projects are completed in a few hours, and you can use the surface the same day. When you contact Atascadero A Town Concrete, we evaluate your situation and recommend the best leveling approach for your specific needs.

Benefits of Leveling Over Replacement

Save Money, Time, and Hassle

Replacing concrete means breaking out the old slab, hauling away debris, preparing the base, pouring new concrete, and waiting days for it to cure. Leveling eliminates most of these steps while achieving the same functional result. Here are the key advantages of choosing concrete leveling over replacement:

• Cost savings of 50 percent or more compared to complete replacement
• Quick completion with most projects done in 2 to 4 hours
• Immediate use with surfaces ready for traffic within hours, not days
• Minimal disruption to landscaping, sprinklers, and adjacent structures
• No demolition mess or heavy equipment tearing up your property
• Environmentally friendly by reusing existing concrete instead of landfilling it
• Precise control allowing adjustment to exact desired height
• Long-lasting results when the underlying cause of settlement is addressed

The only situation where replacement makes more sense is when the concrete itself is severely damaged with extensive cracking, spalling, or structural failure. If the slab is in decent condition and just sitting too low, leveling is almost always the smarter choice.

Our Leveling Process

We use polyurethane foam injection for most leveling projects because it offers superior results compared to traditional mud jacking. The process starts with drilling small holes through the sunken concrete, typically about the size of a penny. These injection points are strategically placed to provide even lifting across the entire slab. We then inject expanding polyurethane foam through the holes. The foam flows into voids beneath the slab and expands, filling empty spaces and exerting upward pressure that lifts the concrete.

The lifting happens gradually and controllably. We monitor the slab movement in real time and stop injecting when it reaches the target height. The foam cures within minutes, providing immediate support and stability. After leveling is complete, we patch the injection holes with concrete that blends with the existing surface. The entire process is clean and precise, with minimal mess or disruption to your property. We also offer traditional concrete repair services for damaged slabs and driveway installation when replacement is the better option.

Frequently Asked Questions