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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.
Today, we tackled a waterproofing project to address ongoing basement leakage issues. The job involved installing a specialized basement drainage system to channel water away efficiently and prevent future leaks. The cinderblock walls had been dealing with persistent moisture problems, and our approach should mitigate these issues effectively. This comprehensive solution, including potential window well repairs, was completed for around $15,745.
Near Rockford, IL
Addressed water intrusion in Stanley's basement in Rockford (zip code 61103). Our team installed a waterproofing system, focusing on areas where moisture was seeping through the blocks. No visible cracks or mold were detected, ensuring a cleaner and drier space. This essential upgrade, which cost approximately $3,300, provides long-lasting protection and peace of mind.
Near Rockford, IL
We've addressed a significant horizontal crack running along the basement in zip code 61108, ensuring structural stability and preventing future issues. The project included repairing the crack with a robust reinforcement solution. The estimated cost for this basement repair work was about $7,500, providing Dakota with peace of mind regarding the durability and safety of the space.
Near Rockford, IL
We worked on leveling Susan's kitchen floor in zip code 61114. The focus was on stabilizing the underlying structure to address uneven surfaces. This critical repair was completed at an approximate cost of $3,100, ensuring a safe and stable environment.
Near Rockford, IL
Addressed moisture issues in Stephanie's basement in zip code 61108 with a preventive waterproofing solution. With past flooding experience in mind, we sealed critical areas to ensure the basement remains dry and damage-free. This precautionary measure was valued at about $2,700, providing long-term protection.
Near Rockford, IL
Completed a waterproofing job for Celia, who resides in a condo end unit that faced water intrusion issues. After heavy rains, water began seeping into the lower walkout basement due to a visible above-ground crack. Our team effectively addressed this by sealing the crack and enhancing the area's water resistance. The project, approximately valued at $5,000, ensures a dry and secure basement environment.
Near Rockford, IL
Following a careful assessment, we undertook a slabjacking project at Doug's residence in zip code 61103. The job addressed significant sinking issues, with one large crack across the driveway and uneven pads needing realignment. By injecting a leveling solution, we corrected the sinking pavement, enhancing both safety and appearance. Doug was aware of the $2000 minimum, and the total cost of the project is around $9,200.
Near Rockford, IL
In Rockford, we addressed significant foundational concerns for Gary, whose property exhibited noticeable structural movement and basement floor cracks due to water intrusion. After a thorough inspection, our team installed reinforced supports to stabilize and secure the home effectively. These measures ensure long-term stability and prevent further shifting, with the project estimated at approximately $18,400.
Near Rockford, IL
In zip code 61107, we tackled a challenging waterproofing project for Jennifer, dealing with leaking window wells and yard pooling issues. Our solution involved installing effective drainage around the foundation and adding interior drainage channels to guide water away, ensuring long-term protection. This extensive project was undertaken with a budget of around $8,800.
Near Rockford, IL
