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're tackling a water intrusion problem in Thomas's walkout basement, where water entered and affected the finished area. Built in 1959, the home showed signs of water damage, with wet and ruined drywall detected. A comprehensive waterproofing service is underway to protect the basement, with the project estimated at around $7,600. This effort will ensure a dry and comfortable space for Thomas.
Near Shelbyville, IN
We undertook a detailed waterproofing project at Raoul's property in 46176, focusing on encapsulation and setting up a new entrance to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, we addressed mold issues near the entryway and fixed a cracked foundation. The project included installing a possible outdoor drainage system, vital for protecting the home's structure. This comprehensive job is valued at around $24,670.
Near Shelbyville, IN
We assessed a brick wall foundation showing signs of wear possibly due to soil erosion. Notable issues include cracking and alignment concerns requiring careful attention. The team's next steps involve addressing these foundational issues to prevent further damage. Estimated cost is around $4,100.
Near Shelbyville, IN
We're addressing a persistent water intrusion problem in Thomas's walkout basement, built in 1959. The homeowner discovered wet and ruined drywall due to water seepage. We're implementing a comprehensive waterproofing solution to protect the finished basement and ensure it stays dry in the future. This essential project is approximately valued at $7,600.
Near Shelbyville, IN
Our team completed a crucial foundation stabilization project in Shelbyville, zip code 46176, addressing underlying support issues. We reinforced the foundation using piers to ensure long-term durability. The project also involved installing a waterproofing system to prevent future water ingress. The work was carried out efficiently for an approximate cost of $19,300, providing peace of mind and enhanced structural integrity.
Near Shelbyville, IN
Paul reached out to us to inspect the crawl space of his property during the selling process. The inspection report highlighted leaning columns and potential structural concerns. We conducted a detailed evaluation to assess the condition of these columns, along with checking for any termite damage and mold growth. Ensuring the stability of the crawl space was crucial for the property sale and peace of mind. The assessment and any necessary stabilization are valued at roughly $4,300.
Near Shelbyville, IN
Today, we addressed the settling issues of two aprons connecting the driveway to the garage. Both areas had noticeable settling and cracking, so our team performed slabjacking to lift and level the concrete. This service was essential to restore the structural integrity of the surfaces and prevent further damage, with the project costing around $2,000 in zip code 46176. Thanks to our expertise, John's driveway and garage entrance are now stable and secure.
Near Shelbyville, IN
