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.
Our team completed a structure repair in Bobby's basement, located in the 61802 area. This project focused on reinforcing the walls to enhance stability and address any underlying issues. With an investment of approximately $12,820, Bobby can now feel confident in the room's structural integrity.
Near Urbana, IL
Recently completed a project to address water intrusion concerns in Patricia's garage. The main issue was the high grading around the garage, allowing water to seep in. To prevent further damage, we adjusted the grading and considered external drainage solutions. This work is valued at a bit over $3,000.
Near Urbana, IL
We addressed a cracked slab issue in William's bedroom located in zip code 61801. The repair focused on enhancing structural integrity and ensuring the foundation remains stable. The project was completed for roughly $3,100, providing peace of mind for the homeowner.
Near Urbana, IL
We addressed water intrusion issues at Irene's home in zip code 61801. The project involved waterproofing the basement to tackle moisture seeping through the walls, especially during rain. We implemented a comprehensive solution to manage water flow and prevent a musty smell, ensuring the durability of the clay tiles and concrete floors. This crucial intervention came at an approximate cost of $10,500.
Near Urbana, IL
Marcy's crawlspace had a significant humidity issue due to water seeping up through her dirt floor and between existing vapor barriers. Our team tackled the problem by implementing a complete encapsulation solution to manage moisture and potentially address water leakage around the front of the home. The project, completed around the 61802 area, was estimated at roughly $15,000, ensuring a drier, healthier environment for Marcy.
Near Urbana, IL
Addressed the leveling issue for Doug's driveway in zip code 61802. Our slabjacking service corrected the uneven concrete sections, ensuring a stable and even surface. This project was efficiently carried out at an approximate cost of $2,000.
Near Urbana, IL
We've completed a waterproofing job in Maggie's basement in zip code 61801, tackling the issue of water intrusion. Our comprehensive solution ensures a dry and stable environment, enhancing the safety and longevity of the space. This essential work was carried out for approximately $14,000.
Near Urbana, IL
In zip code 61802, we tackled an issue with unlevel and sagging floors in Karen's home, which sits on a crawlspace. Our team installed new supports to stabilize the foundation, ensuring the structure remains secure and level. The area is equipped with a vapor barrier and spray foam insulation, accessed from outside the home. This essential project is valued around $3,500.
Near Urbana, IL
Jennifer's property in zip code 61801 was facing structural concerns marked by wall cracks and sticking doors on the first level. Our team wasn't sure whether the foundation was poured or cinder block. We identified and addressed these foundation issues, ensuring stability and function with an investment of around $4,425.
Near Urbana, IL
