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 tackled Heather’s basement waterproofing needs in zip code 46815. The basement had signs of water intrusion due to cracks and bowing in the walls. Our team worked on sealing these issues and applied additional measures to ensure a dry basement environment. A crucial repair considering the compromised wall, completed for approximately $5,670.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
We recently completed a substantial foundation stabilization project for Novato in the 46808 area. Our team installed multiple support piers to ensure the integrity and safety of the commercial structure. This vital repair was carried out at an approximate cost of $52,500, prioritizing long-term stability.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Completed a structural repair on James's property in the 46807 area, addressing sticking doors and wall settling in the garage and bedroom above. The team focused on leveling the garage slab and stabilizing the outside wall to prevent further interior wall cracks. This renovation ensures smoother operation of doors and enhances the structural integrity of the building. Total cost was around $19,387.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
Nancy's home in zip code 46804 required attention for foundation issues, including basement wall cracks and a bowing wall. To address these structural concerns, we installed a sump pump to prevent water intrusion and ensure stability. This essential repair, coupled with the installation, was completed for approximately $6,500.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
We addressed a concerning crack in Bette's basement foundation located in the 46804 area. To prevent further water seepage and ensure structural stability, our team expertly repaired the crack. The approximate cost for this project was around $2,737.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
We undertook a foundation repair project to address ongoing structural issues at Elizabeth's property in zip code 46815. The job focused on dealing with significant cracks above doors, a cracked staircase, and ceiling fractures which had worsened since our last visit in 2022. These repairs are essential for ensuring the long-term stability of the home following its recent sale. The project is estimated at around $14,000.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
We addressed foundation settling issues at Corey's home in Fort Wayne, zip code 46835. The settling had caused cracks in the drywall and affected door alignment. The sunroom and garage, situated on separate slabs, were particularly impacted. This repair was essential for stabilizing the structure, completed for approximately $21,000.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
In zip code 46825, we undertook a detailed foundation repair for Kyle’s home, which was facing issues with settling and drywall cracks. Our team worked meticulously to stabilize the house by installing essential foundation piers, preventing further separation between structural parts. The project is estimated at roughly $12,700, aiming to restore the home’s stability and integrity.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
In zip code 46814, we tackled issues with water infiltration in Kelly's basement. Heavy rains had caused water intrusion, affecting the bathroom and laundry room areas. Our service focused on sealing potential entry points and fortifying the structure to prevent future water damage. The bathroom door sticking indicated a level of foundation settling, which we addressed, ensuring all doors open smoothly. The project cost around $24,000.
Near Fort Wayne, IN
