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've just finished reinforcing the basement for Nolan in the 46205 area. Our team focused on stabilizing the structure, addressing visible cracks, and ensuring the overall reliability of the area. This essential work aims to prevent future subsidence and maintain the integrity of the foundation. The project was executed with precision, approximately costing $2,700.
Near Indianapolis, IN
For Kenneth's commercial building in zip code 46226, we tackled water intrusion issues affecting the office space. The sloping ground around the block foundation caused cracks, leading to water entering the premises. Our team applied a waterproofing solution, ensuring long-term protection of the property. This needed repair was completed at an approximate cost of $3,500.
Near Indianapolis, IN
In Cheryl's home located in zip code 46203, we focused on tackling issues with the unlevel porch as well as potential challenges in the basement and crawlspace. The project involved assessing the underlying structural components and implementing solutions to stabilize the house. Given the complexities, this repair aligns with our standard approaches and reflects an estimated job cost of around $15,575.
Near Indianapolis, IN
Addressed significant cracking issues in Chuck's driveway and patio in zip code 46237. We applied professional crack sealing techniques to enhance the concrete's durability and prevent further damage. This essential service, priced at around $6,200, ensured the surfaces are now more stable and visually appealing.
Near Indianapolis, IN
Audrey's home in the 46220 area required attention due to a leaking basement window and surrounding wall. Our team implemented effective waterproofing solutions to address the issue and prevent further leakage. This necessary work is valued at approximately $3,700, ensuring a dry and secure environment for the basement.
Near Indianapolis, IN
Benjamin experienced water issues in his basement, where heavy rains led to water entry through the floor. Our team implemented effective waterproofing measures to address these concerns, ensuring a dry and secure environment. This essential service was valued at approximately $7,500 and facilitates long-term protection against moisture intrusion in the 46208 area.
Near Indianapolis, IN
We completed an inspection in a finished basement dealing with moisture issues, located in zip code 46239. Our team identified potential sources of water intrusion and assessed the basement's current waterproofing measures to propose a comprehensive solution. This work aims to ensure a dry environment and prevent future issues. Nicole and her husband plan to resolve these concerns at an approximate cost of $7,951.
Near Indianapolis, IN
Whitney's basement was experiencing water intrusion, particularly in the corners during rainstorms. The old waterproofing system was failing, and there were visible cracks in the block walls. Our team installed a new waterproofing solution to address these issues, effectively channeling water away and restoring the basement's integrity. This project was completed for an approximate cost of $9,500 in zip code 46231.
Near Indianapolis, IN
In a 46203 basement, we tackled structural issues by replacing the jacks that were causing the floor to separate from the floorboards. This essential repair, approximately priced at $5,000, ensures renewed stability and prevents further damage to the structure.
Near Indianapolis, IN
