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.
Installed a comprehensive drainage system for Patrick's sloped driveway in zip code 46614 to prevent garage flooding after rainstorms. Approximately priced at $4,400, this project ensures effective water management and enhances the integrity of the property's foundation.
Near South Bend, IN
We carried out a foundation stabilization project for Dan in the 46617 area. Our team installed robust support piers to address settling issues and ensure the structure’s long-term integrity. This project was completed with a focus on stability, with an investment around $18,970.
Near South Bend, IN
We recently completed a foundation repair project addressing the crumbling cinderblock walls of a house. The structure was beginning to separate and settle, leading to unlevel floors. Previous jacks installed a few years ago needed reinforcement. This job ensures improved stability for the homeowner, reflecting our commitment to quality work. The approximate cost of this repair was $16,100.
Near South Bend, IN
Conducted a thorough final inspection of the crawlspace to assess structural stability and address any concerns. The inspection focused on verifying the integrity of the support beams and identifying any potential issues with wall stability. With the homeowner informed of a $250 charge, this service ensures all elements are in place for long-term foundation reliability. This effort keeps the interior environment safe and secure.
Near South Bend, IN
Addressing significant structural concerns at Kathy's home located in the 46601 area, we've begun work on a vital foundation repair project. The front of the house showed signs of separation in the brickwork, including noticeable cracks in the basement walls. Our team is focusing on reinforcing these areas to address issues of settling and restore proper alignment to windows and doors. The project is valued around $9,940, reflecting the extensive work required to stabilize the structure.
Near South Bend, IN
We recently conducted a waterproofing job that included addressing some minor water presence around the property. The work was done to ensure long-term protection against moisture intrusion and to enhance the property's structural safety. Skylar's home in the 46614 area received necessary treatments to prevent future water issues, all for an approximate cost of $6,100.
Near South Bend, IN
Tackled structural issues in an 1890 Victorian home with a brick foundation in zip code 46601. The property was experiencing unlevel floors and separation from baseboards, leading to doors that wouldn't latch properly. Our team implemented a solution to stabilize the foundation using steel columns and shims, ensuring level floors and proper door function. The project was completed for approximately $13,000.
Near South Bend, IN
Rick's 99-year-old home in the 46615 area is showing signs of wear with a rotating pillar on the front porch. Over time, slow movement has occurred, likely due to erosion impacting the foundation. Our team is set to address these structural issues to ensure stability. The project is valued at just over $20,000, focusing on reinforcing the foundation under the porch.
Near South Bend, IN
Recently completed a waterproofing project for Carol in zip code 46614. We tackled water intrusion issues coming from a crack in the wall by installing a comprehensive basement waterproofing system. This solution is essential to prevent further damage and maintain a dry and secure environment. The approximate cost of this waterproofing service was around $5,309.
Near South Bend, IN
