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.
Completed a structure repair project for Edgar in zip code 60638. The home was experiencing sagging walls and unlevel floors, prominently in the living room and connected areas. We implemented new support beams in the crawlspace to stabilize and level these critical areas. This foundation work was crucial to prevent further structural decline and was completed with an approximate cost of $10,671.
Near Chicago, IL
We've addressed persistent water intrusion issues for Michael's historic brick home, built around 1934, by sealing cracks located under the stairs. These cracks, one near the cove joint and another higher up the wall, had previously been attempted twice by other services but the problem persisted. Our solution focuses on achieving a dry, stable environment without needing to remove the stairs, with the project costing approximately $4,700. This work ensures long-term protection and peace of mind in zip code 60646.
Near Chicago, IL
Conducted a slabjacking job on the sidewalk in front of a building in zip code 60638. Our team skillfully leveled the slabs to ensure a safe, even surface for pedestrians. This vital work, approximately priced at $2,300, enhances both the function and aesthetics of the pathway.
Near Chicago, IL
We've been working on waterproofing the basement for Raul in zip code 60638. The walls showed signs of water intrusion and some cracking, coupled with a noticeable musty smell. To address this, we installed a comprehensive waterproofing system along the basement walls and sealed the cracks to prevent future issues, all for an approximate cost of $5,857. Ensuring a dry and secure space was our priority.
Near Chicago, IL
We're addressing vertical and diagonal hairline cracks in Rachel's basement, affecting previously repaired areas. The goal is to prevent further cracking and ensure the basement's ongoing stability. Our solution aims to provide a durable fix, as Rachel prepares to enhance her basement's condition, with a project cost of approximately $5,000.
Near Chicago, IL
Today, we completed a small repair job for Rachel in zip code 60613. We addressed three feet of hairline cracks in the basement wall, ensuring they're effectively sealed and protected from potential water damage. The project was efficiently managed and fully completed for just under $300. With these reinforcements, Rachel's basement remains safe and secure.
Near Chicago, IL
Just wrapped up a foundation repair project for Andre in zip code 60644. The job involved addressing structural issues that were compromising the stability of the building. By sealing cracks and reinforcing the foundation, we ensured long-term durability and protection against potential water intrusion. This repair came to an approximate cost of $3,500.
Near Chicago, IL
