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 recently completed a structural repair for Zach in the 46970 area, focusing on stabilizing the foundation and reinforcing the interior walls. The basement walls required support to prevent further structural issues. Our team efficiently addressed these concerns at a cost of about $11,600, ensuring the long-term stability of the property.
Near Peru, IN
Recently finished addressing significant foundation issues for Sandra in the 46970 area. The project involved repairing cracks and signs of settling in the crawlspace to ensure long-term stability and peace of mind. This essential repair work was completed for an approximate cost of $5,000.
Near Peru, IN
Crystal's home in zip code 46970 required a thorough evaluation of its foundation due to noticeable sagging floors and crumbling around the base of the house. We conducted a detailed inspection to assess the necessary repairs, focusing on lifting the sagging areas and reinforcing the foundation for improved stability. The project is estimated to be valued at around $8,600.
Near Peru, IN
Recently tackled a significant foundation repair for Troy in the 46970 area. The project involved addressing multiple wall cracks and sealing off water intrusion to protect the basement integrity. This included rectifying the bowing of one wall, ensuring long-term stability, and comprehensive waterproofing measures. The estimated cost for these efforts was approximately $14,000.
Near Peru, IN
Completed an inspection and repair for Jamie's property, focusing on crawlspace joists and sill plates. The buyer had concerns about the current state and possible future renovations, including the potential addition of French drains. Our team worked within a compact 2ft crawlspace height, ensuring each entry point was accessible, and the repair was done effectively. The project was approximately priced at around $12,500.
Near Peru, IN
In Lisa's home, we've tackled the problem of sagging floors by installing structural jacks for added support. This essential repair will help stabilize the structure, a necessary step considering the house's unknown history following her father's passing. The project was done at an approximate cost of $6,467 in the 46970 area.
Near Peru, IN
Deborah's home required essential waterproofing solutions to address persistent water leakage in the basement. Our team efficiently installed a trench drainage system alongside the exterior wall to prevent future water intrusion. This involved sealing affected areas and ensuring proper water diversion. With this setup, the 60-year-old house is now better equipped to handle moisture challenges. The project was handled for an approximate cost of $4,250 in zip code 46970.
Near Peru, IN
In William's property located in the 46970 area, we tackled a severe water intrusion issue. Our team installed a drainage system and waterproofed the basement to ensure it remains dry and secure. The project involved integrating a dehumidification system to manage humidity levels, providing long-term protection against further water damage. This comprehensive work was completed with an investment of approximately $33,587.
Near Peru, IN
Recently tackled a structural repair project involving leaning posts under Thomas's home in the 46970 area. We noticed visible gaps in the walls and floor cracking issues that required immediate attention. This corrective work, estimated at around $6,200, aimed to stabilize and reinforce the home's foundation for long-term safety and stability.
Near Peru, IN
