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.
Phillip's basement in the 47421 area was in need of additional structural support to the main level. Our team addressed the issue by implementing a robust support system to ensure stability and prevent any future structural concerns. This essential enhancement was completed for around $3,500, providing peace of mind for Phillip.
Near Bedford, IN
Addressed water intrusion issues in Nathan's basement in the 47421 area. The walls were experiencing water retention within the cinder blocks. A comprehensive waterproofing system was installed to tackle the problem, ensuring the basement remains dry and secure. This job was completed for approximately $6,600.
Near Bedford, IN
Jacob's split level home in zip code 47421 required waterproofing after water entered the basement following a heavy rain. Our team addressed the issue by implementing effective drainage solutions to prevent future water ingress. The project, completed for an estimated $6,200, ensures protection against potential water damage.
Near Bedford, IN
Recently, we addressed a foundation issue in John's home, zip code 47421, focusing on a sinking crawl space area near the garage. The back end of the home was affected, leading us to stabilize the foundation efficiently. This essential repair was completed for approximately $35,860.
Near Bedford, IN
Addressed structural concerns in the family room, focusing on the slab foundation. The kitchen, situated nearby over a basement, was taken into account. Approximate cost for the repair was $2,400. This essential repair ensures the long-term stability of the home in zip code 47421 for Dave.
Near Bedford, IN
Addressed significant water intrusion in Mark's basement in the 47421 area. Our team installed an interior drainage system with protective barriers along the walls, effectively channeling water away. Steps were taken to prevent water from reaching the basement, ensuring a dry and secure environment. This essential waterproofing project was completed for approximately $7,500.
Near Bedford, IN
We addressed structural concerns in Michael's new home in zip code 47421, focusing on floor support issues in the crawl space. The inspection revealed dips and sags in the floor, prompting us to reinforce the floor joists with sister joisting techniques. This essential work was carried out at an estimated cost nearing $8,700, ensuring a stable and secure foundation for the homeowner.
Near Bedford, IN
Addressed a structural issue where the back wall of a home, built into a hill, was curving inward. The wall posed a risk to the stability of the house, causing shifting. Our team carried out the necessary repairs to realign and stabilize the block wall. This important job, ensuring safety and structural integrity, amounted to an investment of approximately $19,651 in the 47421 area.
Near Bedford, IN
Successfully completed a waterproofing project for Mark in the 47421 area, tackling water intrusion in the basement. Our team installed a reliable drainage system to guide any water away from the basement, ensuring protection and prevention of future leaks. This job was completed for an approximate cost of $7,500.
Near Bedford, IN
