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.
We completed a slabjacking job for Debbie in the 46032 area, focusing on leveling a concrete slab in a screened-in area. The work involved addressing cracks along the sides and underneath to ensure a stable surface. This project, priced at approximately $3,700, enhances the integrity of the outdoor space.
Near Carmel, IN
Visited Griffin's home in the 46032 area to address a structural issue in the basement guest bedroom. A noticeable crack in the wall had raised concerns, so our team performed a detailed inspection and repair. Referred by another waterproofing company, this intervention helps maintain the structural integrity of the room. The repair was completed at an approximate cost of $3,200.
Near Carmel, IN
Successfully tackled water intrusion issues in a crawlspace for Dorothy in the 46033 area. Our team implemented waterproofing techniques to mitigate water entry and ensure the space remains dry. The project enhances the foundation’s resilience against moisture, with an estimated cost of $3,355.
Near Carmel, IN
Completed a detailed waterproofing job, focusing on crawl space encapsulation. This project involved sealing the entire area, providing a robust defense against moisture intrusion. Estimated at approximately $15,000, this encapsulation ensures a dry and protected crawl space for Bryce in zip code 46032.
Near Carmel, IN
Recently, we've addressed a sinking issue in Matt's sunroom slab located in the 46032 area. The project involved installing new adjustable supports to prevent further settling and ensure stability. Our work has reinforced the sunroom's foundation, with an approximate cost of $5,200.
Near Carmel, IN
Completed a crawlspace inspection and repairs for Ari in zip code 46033. The job involved addressing moisture issues and reinforcing the area to ensure structural integrity. Approximate cost of this service was $3,400. Our intervention aimed at preventing future water intrusion and maintaining a stable foundation.
Near Carmel, IN
We conducted a thorough waterproofing job in Jennifer's crawlspace, addressing the damp and musty odors reported. By installing a vapor barrier system, we aimed to eliminate persistent moisture issues and protect the area from further damage. The insulation debris was also managed to ensure a clean and secure environment. This project, approximately priced at $6,300, focused on enhancing the home's overall air quality and structural integrity.
Near Carmel, IN
Joel's basement in zip code 46033 faced some water issues, likely due to insufficient waterproofing. Our team tackled the task by reinforcing the existing vapor barriers and resolving pipe-related leakages. These measures effectively prevent future moisture problems, ensuring a dry and secure space. The project was completed for around $3,000.
Near Carmel, IN
Our team completed a waterproofing and encapsulation project in Jennalee's crawlspace in Carmel, zip code 46032. The crawlspace, which measures at least 18 inches in height, showed signs of degradation. After another contractor's assessment, we stepped in to prevent further damage with proper waterproofing techniques and encapsulation. The project was executed at an approximate cost of $3,362.
Near Carmel, IN
