✕
What issue are you experiencing?
Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
We Treat Your Home Like Our Own
Acculevel was founded in 1996, and is well known in the industry for repairing foundations, basements, and crawl spaces. We raise and repair concrete structures for thousands of customers per year.
A concrete slab sinks as the soil underneath it shifts. Often, the cause for this is erosion. Rain comes down and saturates the ground, mixing the water into the soil. Then, when the water drains away, it takes part of the soil with it. This erosion can happen gradually as a natural process, or suddenly if it’s caused by a broken pipe or ruptured drain. If the ground under a slab is eroding quickly or seems loose, you should evaluate your home’s guttering and plumbing systems. It’s possible the downspouts or plumbing are draining under the slab and washing out the soil.
In other circumstances, the slab moves because of the ground itself. It’s possible that it wasn’t properly compacted before the concrete was poured. The extreme weather cycles in the Midwest contribute another factor. The ground floods in the spring, then dries out during a summer drought, which prompts erosion Then there’s the winter freeze-and-thaw pattern. The ground expands when it freezes, and contracts as it thaws. This fluctuation also contributes to shifts in the soil, which accelerates the settling process.
Concrete rarely settles evenly; usually one end will sink more significantly than the other. When this happens, the stress of the uneven support will sometimes crack the slab. At that point, you have high and low points on the concrete, and a crack or joint between slabs that will catch a pedestrian’s toe. These are trip hazards and a liability issue.
Sometimes, an uneven slab can also cause damage to your home. It may redirect rainwater towards your house, instead of away from it. This leads to water damage to your foundation, and possibly to leaks in your basement or crawl space. Over time this extra moisture can cause serious damage. Water permeating into your home can cause rotting in the structural wood flooring system (sill plate, floor joists, etc) and allow mold to flourish and grow.
Slab lifting is done by injection. Small holes are drilled through the concrete slab, and material is injected below it. This material fills the void underneath the concrete, and gradually the pressure of this filler being forced under the slab creates lift. The type of fill material varies; many companies use a concrete or limestone slurry referred to as “mud” and this process is generally called mudjacking. As the slurry hardens, it creates lift below the slab.
At Acculevel, we use a polyurethane foam. In our experience, slabjacking provides a better and more reliable repair; once the foam is injected, the chemical reaction promptly begins to expand, and it’s this foam that does the lifting. Since it’s more immediate than mudjacking, it allows for better control.
In this video, one of our knowledgeable experts explains why we choose to perform slabjacking:
Slabjacking uses specialized equipment, but it’s usually installed in a standard-sized service truck that can park in the driveway or street without issue. Slabjacking repair work rarely requires an Acculevel crew driving across your lawn, or disturbing your landscape; the slabjacking equipment has a 250 foot injection hose to maximize our reach to the repair section.
In fact, there is very little mess generated at a slabjacking job site. Generally, crews only need to clean up some dust generated from drilling through the concrete, and maybe trace amounts of foam from the injection site.
This is preferable to the messy process of replacing a slab. Concrete demolition often involves the use of a jack hammer, which is noisy and creates debris that adds to landfills. Re-pouring concrete requires building forms, a concrete truck, and the use of this equipment in close proximity to the work site. This results in a significant amount of trash and upheaval on your property. The new slab can also be visually jarring, as it won’t match the other existing sections in color or texture.
Slabjacking works with the existing concrete slab, so the costs are limited. They depend more on the size of the slab being lifted, and the amount of void under the slab. (The larger the gap, the more material is required.) The costs to replace concrete can be double the price of slabjacking. For more details on costs, please review our article on costs comparisons.
Visited Lauryn’s property to assess her crawl space for encapsulation options. We're considering a full encapsulation to safeguard against potential moisture issues, while also exploring alternatives like installing a vapor barrier and dehumidifier. Currently, there are no active water problems. This project in the 61821 area is estimated to be around $10,000.
Near Champaign, IL
Recently completed a crawl space encapsulation project to address a deteriorated liner. The updated encapsulation system is designed to improve moisture control and prevent future issues in the crawl space. This project was aimed at enhancing the home's overall environment in the 61821 area, with an estimated cost of around $12,000.
Near Champaign, IL
Completed a job involving slabjacking to address uneven concrete surfaces near the pool house. Implemented French drains to tackle water pooling issues against the foundation, ensuring effective drainage. With an approximate cost of $2,200, this project enhances structural stability and prevents future water damage in Patti’s property at zip code 61821.
Near Champaign, IL
Completed a slabjacking project to address uneven surfaces on Gery's driveway and patio. Ensuring a level and safe walking area involved adjusting the concrete sections to align correctly. This job, scheduled for one morning, tackled the issues effectively for a cost of approximately $3,000 in the 61822 area.
Near Champaign, IL
Addressed a significant structural issue where the right-hand corner of the house was sinking. Our team implemented a foundation stabilization solution to prevent further damage and ensure long-term support. This essential repair, completed for roughly $21,460, helps maintain the structural integrity of the home.
Near Champaign, IL
Estimated a slabjacking job to address the separation between the concrete driveway and garage. The concrete sections require realignment to ensure safety and aesthetics are maintained. The project aims to stabilize the area effectively with a repair cost of approximately $3,395 in the 61822 zip code for customer Raina.
Near Champaign, IL
Our team executed a comprehensive waterproofing system in Deb's crawl space located in zip code 61822. The project involved installing a moisture control solution to prevent future water issues and ensure a dry and secure environment. Approximately priced at $21,400, this solution enhances the stability and longevity of the home.
Near Champaign, IL
Completed a thorough crawl space encapsulation for Katie in the 61822 area. The project involved inspecting and upgrading the existing vapor barrier and replacing it to eliminate the persistent moisture issue beneath. Additionally, a high-efficiency sump pump was assessed to ensure optimal operation, with plans to replace it if necessary. The approximate cost for this comprehensive waterproofing effort was around $22,775, offering Katie enhanced protection and peace of mind.
Near Champaign, IL
Addressed minor cracking and bowing in the crawl space foundation. We reinforced the walls with a protective sealant, ensuring long-term stability. Also installed a new drainage system outside to prevent further water damage. The project, located in the 61820 area, came in at around $4,100, enhancing the home’s integrity.
Near Champaign, IL
