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.
Dennis was dealing with water intrusion in his crawlspace, requiring immediate attention to prevent further damage. Our team replaced the old sump pump and implemented a thorough waterproofing solution to confidently redirect water away and keep the area dry. This essential update, approximately costing $13,450, ensures a moisture-free environment.
Near Frankfort, IN
We tackled a critical foundation repair for Brian in the 46041 area, focusing on providing essential support on the main levels. The red brick foundation showed significant settling and noticeable damage. This comprehensive repair, estimated around $7,900, ensures the structural integrity and safety of the home.
Near Frankfort, IN
We've completed a crawl space renovation in zip code 46041 to address unevenness in the home. The project involved fixing structural gaps where the walls and ceiling meet, stemming from foundational issues. Additionally, we explored solutions for encapsulating the crawl space to prevent future problems. The job cost approximately $6,039.
Near Frankfort, IN
Conducted crucial structural repairs in Andrew's basement in the 46041 area, addressing water intrusion and sagging issues. We reinforced the support beams and implemented effective waterproofing solutions to ensure long-term stability. The job was completed for approximately $7,800, prioritizing durability and safety.
Near Frankfort, IN
Wendy needed some urgent attention for her mid-1800s house with a noticeably sloping kitchen floor. The structure was beginning to show signs of wear, with cabinets pulling away. To prepare for an upcoming home sale, minor repairs were prioritized to ensure the safety and integrity of the home. The project was completed in zip code 46041, approximately costing $17,700.
Near Frankfort, IN
We are addressing a significant structural repair at the home of Patricia and James in zip code 46041. The project involves tackling water damage from a past flood, which has led to unlevel floors. Given the challenges of a low crawl space at about 15 inches, we're carefully removing and replacing flooring to restore stability. This critical repair is estimated at around $21,000.
Near Frankfort, IN
In Frankfort, we addressed structural repairs on a mid-1800s house with noticeable floor sloping and shifting cabinets in the kitchen. Our work focused on underpinning and reinforcing the crawlspace to stabilize the home’s foundation. Estimated at about $17,700, these repairs ensure the home's structural integrity is maintained, especially crucial as the homeowner plans to sell soon.
Near Frankfort, IN
We addressed water intrusion issues in Ariel's basement and crawlspace located in the 46041 area. The project focused on effective waterproofing solutions to prevent future moisture problems. This essential service was carried out meticulously, with the entire job valued at approximately $11,300.
Near Frankfort, IN
We are currently working on a crucial waterproofing project for Allison, involving significant foundation repair measures. The basement has shown signs of water seepage from the floors and cracks in the walls. Our team is focused on reinforcing these vulnerable areas to prevent further moisture intrusion. This comprehensive repair effort in the 46041 area is priced at around $18,110. The property is being prepped with Tyvek HomeWrap for added protection.
Near Frankfort, IN
