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 worked on Christina's property in the 47909 area, focusing on reinforcing the crawl space structure. This essential repair job ensures the stability of the foundation and offers long-term protection. The project was efficiently completed for an approximate cost of $7,676.
Near Lafayette, IN
Our latest project tackled basement waterproofing and crack repairs at Laurie's home in Lafayette, IN. We addressed water intrusion issues in the southern and northwest corners of the basement, sealing horizontal cracks in the cinderblock walls to prevent further damage. The installation included a comprehensive drainage system to ensure long-term protection against moisture entry. This crucial job was completed for approximately $8,000.
Near Lafayette, IN
Recently, we addressed structural concerns in James’s property by reinforcing the main building. Our team focused on stabilizing the compromised areas to ensure integrity and safety. This comprehensive repair, carried out around the Lafayette area, was completed with a project budget of approximately $39,000.
Near Lafayette, IN
In Lafayette, we've addressed multiple structural issues in Adam's home. The garage slab foundation was cracked and unlevel, and the basement revealed water intrusion through wall cracks and at the floor seams. Visible movement in one of the walls posed an additional concern. Our team worked to stabilize the foundation, ensuring the integrity of both the garage and basement. This comprehensive repair was completed at an approximate cost of $2,000.
Near Lafayette, IN
We addressed a cracking and settling front porch for Phyllis in the 47904 area. Our team utilized slabjacking techniques to stabilize and lift the concrete, ensuring a level and secure surface. This repair, valued at approximately $2,800, offers a long-lasting solution for the homeowner's porch concerns.
Near Lafayette, IN
Took on a waterproofing project for Kim's basement in the 47905 region where minor water intrusion was occurring through the walls and floor. The team implemented measures to keep moisture out and fortify the overall structure. The project was carried out for approximately $32,700 and promises a dry, secure basement space.
Near Lafayette, IN
Today we focused on structural repairs for Erick in the 47909 zip code. The project involved reinforcing a bowing wall and addressing unlevel floors by repairing or replacing supports. With a realtor appointment scheduled at 10, our team efficiently tackled these issues to ensure stability and safety of the home. The overall job was roughly priced at $4,930.
Near Lafayette, IN
In the vicinity of 47905, we completed a crawlspace project to address sagging floors and significant moisture issues. This involved repairing hardwood flooring and reinforcing structural integrity. A vapor barrier was also installed to combat water accumulation, ensuring a dry and stable environment. The project was completed for approximately $35,000.
Near Lafayette, IN
Addressed issues of sloping patio and uneven driveway at Nancy's new home. The team conducted slabjacking to level the surfaces and ensure proper drainage away from the house. This necessary repair, valued at approximately $3,600, supports structural stability and homeowner satisfaction.
Near Lafayette, IN
