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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.
Mark's property required a crucial structural repair due to a bowing wall extending over the majority of a 40-foot span. Significant cracks had appeared midway and above, although the structure remained solid since the wall's initial shift decades ago. Following a structural engineer’s recommendation, we are focusing on reinforcing the integrity of the wall to ensure long-term stability, with the project cost around $8,600.
Near Columbus, IN
We're currently undertaking a commercial project involving the excavation of trenches near a waterfront area. Our team is focused on reinforcing the foundation to ensure stability and prevent water intrusion. This crucial work for Kritzer in the 47201 area comes in at approximately $12,900, promising enhanced structural support.
Near Columbus, IN
We've completed a detailed waterproofing task for Tony in the 47203 area. Water was seeping into the basement's foundation, especially near the stairs and some walls, raising concerns of potential mold. With meticulous efforts, we've sealed all vulnerable areas, ensuring solid protection against moisture intrusion. The project, which addresses the water damage comprehensively, was completed for an approximate cost of $14,605.
Near Columbus, IN
Our team addressed structural issues in Rebecca's crawlspace where a broken beam and water intrusion were causing significant problems. The entire length of the beam needed replacement due to continuous water damage, likely because of the lack of a downspout in the area. This comprehensive repair ensures stability and prevents future moisture issues, with the project costing approximately $32,869.
Near Columbus, IN
Completed comprehensive crawlspace repairs for Robert in zip code 47201, addressing concrete cracking and wetness in the foundation. Our team reinforced the structure using concrete blocks and sealed cracks to prevent seepage. We also installed a new drainage system to manage moisture, providing long-lasting stability for around $5,400.
Near Columbus, IN
We've successfully completed a repair of the crawlspace, addressing issues of concrete cracking and moisture in the foundation. The crawlspace, now protected with a vapor barrier, ensures better control of humidity levels. Additionally, an exterior drainage system was installed to mitigate water seepage and preserve the structural integrity of the basement, all for an approximate cost of $5,400.
Near Columbus, IN
We're assessing Shirley's crawlspace for encapsulation, focusing on prevention and air quality improvement. The space already features new vents. Additionally, support beams have been installed to enhance stability. The project's approximate value is around $14,100.
Near Columbus, IN
Addressed a critical issue where Dean's chimney was pulling away from the home by 2.5 to 3 inches at the roof line due to a severe storm. With the help of piers, we stabilized the structure to ensure the chimney's alignment and safety. Dean's insurance agent, Ray Burbrink, was present to facilitate the process. The repairs were vital for preventing further damage, with an approximate cost of $9,400.
Near Columbus, IN
Successfully completed a commercial foundation repair and waterproofing project for the Northfield client in the 47201 zip code. This involved addressing visible cracks along the exterior entryway, ensuring structural stability, and implementing waterproofing solutions to prevent future moisture issues. The work was completed for roughly $2,800.
Near Columbus, IN
