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.
In Michael's home, located in the 47803 area, we focused on encapsulating the crawlspace to address moisture issues. Our team installed a vapor barrier and ensured the proper sealing around the area, which is a crucial preventive measure to keep moisture and dampness at bay. This encapsulation project was carried out for about $30,767, providing long-term protection and enhancing the home's structural integrity.
Near Terre Haute, IN
We tackled a challenging slabjacking project on the front porch for Connie in the 47804 area. The porch, leaning toward the house, had dropped about 2 to 2.5 inches causing structural concerns. Our team leveled and stabilized the porch effectively, ensuring it remains secure and aligned. This project was handled with a professional approach for an approximate cost of $2,794.
Near Terre Haute, IN
We're addressing the settling issue on one side of Doug's home in the 47802 area. Previous fixes with support beams didn't solve the sagging floors, so our team installed new adjustable supports to improve stability. This foundation repair effort is crucial for ensuring the house remains level and secure. The project costs approximately $2,100.
Near Terre Haute, IN
We tackled a comprehensive foundation repair project for Desirae in zip code 47804. The job included addressing wood rot and unlevel floors by reinforcing the floor structure. Significant repairs were made to a basement wall that had old crack repairs. Additionally, mold issues in the basement were noted, requiring thorough remediation. The project was executed with an approximate value of $20,000, ensuring the stability and safety of the home.
Near Terre Haute, IN
Successfully completed the installation of an outside drainage system to address waterproofing needs in Sachi's area. This project involved setting up proper exterior drainage to direct water away from the foundation, minimizing moisture intrusion. The job was effectively executed with a focus on enhancing the property's water management for around $3,000.
Near Terre Haute, IN
We addressed water intrusion issues in Jeff's basement, which featured cinder block walls and mold concerns. By installing a waterproofing system, we aimed to prevent further moisture damage and maintain a dry environment in the basement of a library. The job was carried out in the 47804 area with an approximate price of $16,700. Our focus was on ensuring long-term protection and structural integrity.
Near Terre Haute, IN
Successfully implemented a waterproofing solution in Jason's basement located in the 47802 area. The team addressed water intrusion issues at the base of the cinderblock walls around the perimeter, which had been causing problems with heavy rain. The careful installation of a drainage system will now help to manage water effectively and protect the basement from future intrusion. This essential waterproofing project was approximately priced at $16,700.
Near Terre Haute, IN
Recently completed a basement waterproofing project in zip code 47805 to address water issues for Nancy. Our team installed a thorough waterproofing system, including a sump pump and extensive drainage solutions, to secure the basement from water intrusion. This significant effort ensures long-term protection, completed at an approximate cost of $8,100.
Near Terre Haute, IN
We successfully leveled the pillars of Tyler's carport in zip code 47802. The uneven surfaces were corrected using slabjacking, ensuring stability and durability. This essential foundation repair was completed with a budget close to $6,600, providing a secure and level structure.
Near Terre Haute, IN
