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What issue are you experiencing?
Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
Cracks, water intrusion, crawl space moisture, settlement, etc.
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.
Addressed a bowing foundation wall in Joyce's garage, which had a concrete patio extending 12 feet from the wall. We reinforced the cinder block structure, ensuring stability and safety. The garage sits on a concrete slab, and our repairs were completed effectively for an approximate cost of $4,000.
Near 45255, Ci
We addressed a sinking slab issue on Diane's front porch in Union. The porch had settled but showed no cracking, making slabjacking an ideal solution. Our team ensured the porch was leveled to restore safety and aesthetics. The project is roughly valued at $2,000, according to initial expectations.
Near Union, KY
We recently completed a waterproofing job for Dalton in zip code 45211. The project involved addressing water intrusion issues by installing a new drain system in the basement. This preventive measure was necessary as the customer had just purchased the home and wanted to avoid future water damage. The approximate cost for this improvement was around $8,100.
Near Cincinnati, OH
Nichole's newly purchased home, built in 1908, required urgent attention to address sagging floors on the main level. Our team installed basement support jacks to provide the necessary structural reinforcement. This essential repair ensures a stable and level floor for years to come, with the project priced at approximately $12.3K in the 45205 area.
Near Cincinnati, OH
Took on a crawlspace project in Annamarie's home (45102) needing a complete waterproofing overhaul. The existing vapor barrier and insulation were inadequate, necessitating a thorough replacement to prevent moisture buildup. We also evaluated the need for a sump pump to enhance drainage and protect the foundation. This critical job was completed with an approximate cost in the $18.6K range, ensuring the crawlspace remains dry and secure.
Near Amelia, OH
We recently worked on reinforcing the structure of a basement room that's situated beneath a front porch for Judy in zip code 45219. The main concern was the pressure from the porch potentially compromising the integrity of the basement. Our team assessed and addressed the issue to alleviate stress on the bricks and prevent future problems. The solution helps ensure peace of mind for the homeowner, with the project costing about $23,000.
Near Cincinnati, OH
Addressed water intrusion issues in Joe's basement, located in the 41015 area. We worked on water seeping through the cinder block walls and ground level by installing a comprehensive waterproofing system and improving drainage outside. This ensures the basement remains dry and prevents future water damage. The job was effectively completed for an approximate cost of $11,100.
Near Covington, KY
Chris needed help with a garage slab that was cracking and settling in Florence. Our team tackled the issue by addressing the foundational stability, ensuring long-term structural integrity. The project was carried out efficiently, and the estimated cost for this repair was around $7,600.
Near Florence, KY
In zip code 41076, we tackled a challenging foundation issue for Ben by addressing slipping and cracks in the exterior brickwork. This included reinforcing the foundation and sealing cracks in the window sill and walls. The comprehensive repair, priced at approximately $8,700, ensures the structural integrity and longevity of the building.
Near Highland Heights, KY
