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 addressed a significant structural issue at Pradeep's new home, where one of the cinderblock basement walls was bowing. In conjunction with this, the driveway also needed to be leveled. Our team carefully implemented repairs to restore structural integrity, ensuring stability and preventing further damage. This comprehensive job, located in zip code 47906, was completed for approximately $10,500.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We tackled a significant structural repair for Scott's property in the 47906 area, focusing on home settling issues. The project involved addressing noticeable gaps between the ceiling and walls, as well as interior wall cracks. A partial basement and crawl space required our expert attention to ensure structural integrity. The scope of work, valued at around $13,500, helped in restoring the foundation's stability and preventing further damage.
Near West Lafayette, IN
Josh's property in the 47906 area is undergoing a crucial structural repair job due to significant cracks and bowing. Our team is addressing these concerns to ensure the foundation's stability. The cost of this vital repair work is around $7,200, reflecting the scope and necessity of the project.
Near West Lafayette, IN
Work involved reinforcing a basement wall with carbon fiber straps at Shane's property in the 47906 area. The structural engineer specified these straps to address a 3/4 inch crack and mitigate bowing concerns during the remodeling project. This ensures the wall’s stability and prevents future issues, approximately costing $8,363.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We recently completed a project to address settling issues with the slab foundation at Michael's place in 47906. Our team tackled a crack in the floor, along with a gap between the floor and baseboard, ensuring a solid and even surface. This repair work was crucial to maintaining the structural health of the home, and the project was executed for an approximate cost of $12,800.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We recently completed a structural repair job for Haiyan in zip code 47906. The crawlspace showed signs of settling, with visible cracks in the walls. Our team effectively addressed these issues by reinforcing the foundational support and stabilizing the structure. This essential repair, priced around $4,000, ensures the crawlspace remains secure and stable.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We tackled a challenging waterproofing project in a basement where moisture and dampness were persistent issues. The job necessitated careful remediation to prevent future water intrusion. We also assessed the nearby crawlspace, albeit a tight one, to ensure it fell within safe height requirements. This comprehensive waterproofing and inspection project was completed for approximately $20,000, ensuring the space remains dry and stable.
Near West Lafayette, IN
Recently wrapped up a crucial foundation support installation at a commercial site in zip code 47907. The job involved the integration of helical piers to stabilize the building's foundation and prevent future settling issues. This systematic approach ensures long-term structural safety and resilience. The project, aimed at maintaining the integrity of the commercial establishment, was completed at an approximate cost of $12,850.
Near West Lafayette, IN
We've taken significant steps to address the moisture issues in Hilary’s basement and crawlspace. Our team implemented a comprehensive waterproofing solution, ensuring the area remains dry and stable. We took additional measures to reinforce the structure, accommodating the tight spaces present. This project in zip code 47906 was completed for an approximate cost of $20,299.
Near West Lafayette, IN
