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 an urgent waterproofing job for Paul in the 46517 area, tackling water intrusion in his basement. The issue was isolated to one block wall, allowing moisture into the space. Our team implemented targeted waterproofing solutions, ensuring that the foundation remains dry and secure. The project was wrapped up efficiently for an approximate cost of $3,321.
Near Elkhart, IN
Lee’s front porch was sinking, posing a significant challenge. Our team effectively addressed the issue using slabjacking techniques to level the porch. With an understanding of the project scope, the job was completed for around $8,400, restoring the porch’s stability and appearance.
Near Elkhart, IN
Conducted a detailed foundation stability assessment at James's location in zip code 46516. The evaluation focused on identifying potential issues around the exterior. The approximate cost for resolving these concerns is around $19,700.
Near Elkhart, IN
We tackled a challenging basement stabilization project for Wesley in the 46514 area. Our team assessed the foundation and addressed above-ground concerns as well, providing a comprehensive repair strategy. This project not only safeguarded the structural integrity but also enhanced the property’s overall durability. The approximate cost was $7,998, ensuring a stabilized and secure home.
Near Elkhart, IN
Lee's front porch in zip code 46517 was experiencing sinking issues. Our team addressed this by performing slabjacking to lift and stabilize the concrete surface. The project was roughly valued around $8,400, ensuring the porch is now secure and level.
Near Elkhart, IN
In Elkhart, we addressed the settling issues of a back patio and step. Water pooling against the house had been a concern, although past water intrusion was due to heavy rains, not settling. By performing slabjacking, we ensured the concrete area is now level and stable. The job cost about $3,190.
Near Elkhart, IN
Installed new adjustable supports to address the issue of sagging and unlevel floors in a basement built in 1973. This intervention is aimed at reinforcing the structural integrity of the home, preventing further damage to the drywall and ceilings. Estimated cost for the project is around $4,450.
Near Elkhart, IN
We addressed a significant foundation issue where a laundry room addition was sinking, affecting its structural integrity and causing door alignment problems. The team implemented stabilization measures to prevent further settlement. This solution, completed for approximately $6,400, ensures the area remains stable and functional.
Near Elkhart, IN
We undertook a significant foundation repair project for Charles in the 46517 area. The foundation had shifted and required immediate attention to prevent further structural issues. Our team worked diligently to stabilize the structure and ensure long-term integrity. The project is estimated to cost approximately $26,800, reflecting the complexity and scope of the repair needed.
Near Elkhart, IN
