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 took on a challenging structure repair for Carolyn in Kokomo, IN, ensuring the integrity of the home's foundation. The project involved addressing multiple issues, including dirt and debris removal and reinforcing compromised areas. This crucial repair was completed for approximately $38,000, focused on delivering long-term stability.
Near Kokomo, IN
Mikalah needed assistance with severely unlevel kitchen floors during a cabinet renovation project. Our team addressed the structural issues by implementing necessary foundation repairs, ensuring a stable and level surface. This work, completed in zip code 46901, was carried out for an approximate cost of $3,000.
Near Kokomo, IN
Just wrapped up a crawlspace repair project for Melba's condo in the 46901 area. We addressed several structural concerns, including cracking walls and difficult-to-open windows, likely due to a previous leak. The project also included checking for external wall bowing and ensuring the floors remained level. Completed at an approximate cost of $1,682.
Near Kokomo, IN
Successfully installed a perimeter drainage system in Dan's basement due to water issues surfacing through the concrete floor. This essential upgrade helps safeguard the area against potential water damage and adds substantial protection to the property. The project was completed for an approximate cost of $17,900.
Near Kokomo, IN
Addressed a foundation issue for Jessica in zip code 46901. The project involved fixing both vertical and horizontal cracks in the home's foundation, including a missing cinder block. The wall was noticeably sliding and slanted, indicating significant structural concerns. Estimated cost for the repair is approximately $3,000.
Near Kokomo, IN
We've recently completed a structural repair job focusing on the replacement of a main beam and an eight-foot section of the sill plate in Gary's property located in the 46901 area. The crawlspace, already insulated with spray foam, required attention to enhance the stability of the structure. The project was thorough, aiming to ensure long-term safety with an approximate cost of $28,760.
Near Kokomo, IN
We tackled a significant water intrusion issue in a basement and crawlspace by implementing an effective waterproofing solution. The process included addressing water seepage along the floor and walls, and ensuring proper drainage. This work helps prevent future moisture problems and keeps the area dry and safe. The project was completed with an approximate cost of $13,700.
Near Kokomo, IN
Our team recently completed a floor joist repair in the crawl space of a home in Kokomo. The project involved stabilizing the structure to ensure long-term support, which was crucial as the property is on the market. This essential repair was carried out efficiently for around $17,000, offering the homeowner peace of mind and enhancing the home's appeal to potential buyers.
Near Kokomo, IN
We completed a crawl space encapsulation for Chris in the 46902 area. The project addressed water intrusion issues from a previous flood, ensuring long-term protection. Additionally, we identified a sinking sidewalk at the back exterior and leveled it to prevent future problems. The estimated cost for this comprehensive repair was around $30,000, providing enhanced stability and security for the home.
Near Kokomo, IN
