Carrollton Foundation Experts connects homeowners and property managers who need concrete leveling in Carrollton, TX with an independent local company that raises sunken flatwork.
Older driveways, sidewalks and patios settle as the soil beneath them washes out or shrinks. The result is trip edges, panels that tilt toward the house and low spots where water collects.
Ways to Lift Concrete
- Slab jacking (mudjacking): a cement-based slurry is pumped under the panel through drilled holes, floating it back up.
- Foam leveling (polyjacking): an expanding polyurethane foam is injected through smaller holes and lifts the panel as it cures.
Both fill the void under the slab. The holes are patched afterward.
Good Candidates
- Driveway panels that dropped at the joints
- Sidewalk sections with trip edges
- Patios and porches sloping toward the house
- Garage floor sections that have settled
- Walkways at apartment and commercial properties
When Replacement Is Better
If concrete is badly broken, crumbling or keeps sinking because water is washing out the soil, replacement may be the better choice. Ask for an honest recommendation.
Protecting the Foundation
A patio or driveway tilted toward the house sends water against the slab, and that water feeds clay movement. Lifting flatwork so it drains away from the house, along with drainage correction, helps protect the foundation.
Cost
Angi's cost guide lists slab jacking or mudjacking at about $500 to $1,300. Foam is often priced by the amount of material.
Sidewalks, Driveways and Garage Conversions
Older driveways and walks in Carrollton often have panels that have dropped where tree roots, utility trenches or erosion disturbed the soil. Garage conversions sometimes leave a driveway that slopes toward what is now living space. Lifting panels to drain away from the house protects both the flatwork and the foundation.
Choosing Between Slurry and Foam
Two materials do most concrete leveling. A cement-based slurry is pumped through holes drilled in the slab; it is heavy and fills large voids with something close to the original base. Polyurethane foam expands under the slab through smaller holes and cures quickly, so a driveway can often be used again sooner. The right choice depends on the size of the void, how much lift is needed and what is under the panel. Ask the contractor to explain the choice for your slab rather than offering one method for every job.
After the Lift
Most sunken flatwork sank because water washed or softened the soil underneath. Once the panel is level, seal the joints and any cracks so rain cannot run straight under it, check that downspouts empty away from the slab, and adjust sprinkler heads that spray the edge. Without those steps, the same panel can drop again.
Ask for the warranty on the lift in writing.
Common questions
Foam or mudjacking: which is better?
Foam is lighter and uses smaller holes; mudjacking is heavier and often less expensive. Each fits different jobs.
How long will leveled concrete last?
If the cause, often water washing out soil, is fixed, it tends to last. Otherwise it can sink again.
Can a cracked panel be leveled?
Often, if it is in large pieces. Many small pieces usually need replacing.
How soon can I use the driveway?
Often soon after, especially with foam. Ask the contractor.
Do you level commercial sidewalks?
Requests from property managers are welcome. The company will tell you whether the job fits their work.
Can leveling fix a driveway sloping toward a garage conversion?
Often, if the panels are intact. Raising them to drain away protects the converted space.