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 addressed a pressing structural concern in a crawlspace for Denise in zip code 46151. The main beam was unstable, so we took steps to reinforce it and ensure the foundation's stability. This essential repair was completed for an approximate cost of $12,100.
Near Martinsville, IN
Completed a comprehensive waterproofing project for John in the 46151 area. Our team installed a durable crawl space vapor barrier, essential in preventing moisture build-up and protecting the foundation. This installation, priced at approximately $10,600, ensures a drier, more secure environment beneath the home.
Near Martinsville, IN
Completed a structure repair job focused on replacing two footer and gutter black hose drains along the south side of a house in zip code 46151. The team addressed these drainage issues to ensure proper water management and protect the foundation. Tim noted the necessity of this repair, contributing to the overall durability of the structure. The project was completed for approximately $11,700.
Near Martinsville, IN
Pat from zip code 46151 had a 12 by 12 area that began to sag, affecting the patio and car lift slab. Our team successfully addressed these issues using slabjacking methods. This repair is crucial in ensuring the stability and safety of the surrounding structures, completed for approximately $9,400.
Near Martinsville, IN
In zip code 46151, we're addressing sagging floors in a rental property by installing new piers. This project focuses on stabilizing the structure and ensuring long-term durability. The estimated cost of this structural repair is around $6,500.
Near Martinsville, IN
We addressed significant slab foundation issues at Dave's property in zip code 46151. The project involved stabilizing the area to fix interior wall cracks, sticking doors, and uneven floors. With careful attention to reinforcement, the structural integrity was restored for around $23,000.
Near Martinsville, IN
After dealing with years of unlevel floors and drywall cracks, Bill reached out for a comprehensive foundation repair. Our team installed new adjustable supports in the kitchen's crawlspace to address the stability issues. This solution, designed to prevent further structural problems, was completed with attention to the homeowner's long-term comfort and safety. The project is estimated at approximately $9,780.
Near Martinsville, IN
We recently completed a structural reinforcement project in Wayne's basement located in the 46151 area. This job involved enhancing the stability of the foundation to improve long-term durability and safety. The project was executed with a budget of around $3,000, ensuring the structural integrity of the space.
Near Martinsville, IN
Recently completed a crucial foundation repair for Matthew in the 46151 area as part of preparations for selling his home. The project's focus was on stabilizing the end of the house where the foundation was pulling away, causing bricks to crack and the wall to lean. The stabilization efforts involved significant structural reinforcement to secure the property’s integrity, approximately costing $18,756.
Near Martinsville, IN
