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.
Addressed concerns at 1127 Grant Circle, Cicero with comprehensive concrete slab jacking and pier installation. The project aimed to resolve previous cracking issues, improving stability and customer satisfaction. Jerry, the homeowner, expressed potential payment upon improved results, with the project valued around $5,200.
Near Noblesville, IN
We've undertaken a significant foundation stabilization project for Meyer in the 46060 area. The work involved installing robust supports to reinforce the foundation, ensuring structural stability. This project reflects our commitment to quality and was valued at around $15,200.
Near Noblesville, IN
For Maryanne’s home, we addressed structural issues within the crawlspace by pouring concrete and installing new supports. The home presented unlevel floors, a horizontal crack in the hallway, and a problematic door in the master bedroom. We've made significant repairs, including fixing the soft spot in the kitchen floor. This project aims to stabilize the house, ensuring the floors remain level and secure, with an approximate cost of $3,500.
Near Noblesville, IN
We tackled a chimney issue for Don in the 46062 zip code where the structure was pulling away from the house. Our team focused on reinforcing the area to ensure the stability and safety of the chimney. This crucial repair was completed at an approximate cost of $14,635.
Near Noblesville, IN
While addressing potential water damage under a stone deck, our team discovered issues with the poured concrete framing the basement. The stones above had allowed water to seep through, creating a risk for future damage. We took immediate action to evaluate and address any potential threats to the concrete. This important preventive measure is set at an approximate cost of $2,175.
Near Noblesville, IN
Completed a split job slabjacking project at Brian's home to address foundational concerns. The task involved careful leveling and stabilization, enhancing the home's stability. This project ensures the foundation remains secure and prevents future settling issues. The approximate cost was around $3,762.
Near Noblesville, IN
This job involved addressing multiple cracks in the foundation wall causing water leakage and pooling issues. The team focused on sealing the cracks effectively to prevent further water intrusion and maintain structural integrity. Approximately priced around $8,239, this essential repair ensures the home's stability. The work was completed behind a shelving unit where major leaks were detected.
Near Noblesville, IN
Susan in zip code 46060 needed structural attention for her bathroom floor. Our team addressed a significant horizontal crack running across the slab foundation, likely due to an external foundation issue near the bathroom wall. The repair, involving sealing and reinforcing the crack, aims to ensure stability and safety, completed for an estimated $1,600.
Near Noblesville, IN
Brian needed foundation repair due to a crack identified by a waterproofing company. Our team addressed the issue with a comprehensive repair to ensure stability. The work, priced just over $3,500, ensures structural integrity while accommodating Brian's schedule around his coaching duties.
Near Noblesville, IN
