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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.
We have successfully completed a reinforcement project for a homeowner's garage in the 40517 area. The work involved securing the block walls with structural supports to prevent further movement and leakage issues. This initiative ensures long-term stability and safety for the property. The approximate cost for this essential repair was around $5,200.
Near Lexington, KY
Recently completed a basement waterproofing job for Brian in the 40505 area. The project featured the installation of a French drain system to effectively manage and prevent water accumulation in the basement pit. Efforts also included sealing off potential water entry points and evaluating the need for structural supports. This essential improvement came at an approximate cost of $13,000.
Near Lexington, KY
We've just completed a significant waterproofing project for Brian in the 40505 area. This job involved installing a French drain system and waterproofing the basement foundation to ensure it remains dry. This was crucial to prevent water accumulation as the pit basement was prone to holding moisture. Supports may be added later, depending on further observation. The project was rounded to approximately $13,000.
Near Lexington, KY
Addressed structural concerns by installing support beams in the crawl space of Clay's property in the 40503 area. Issues with the door frame and wall shifting were noted, along with floor support concerns. The team reinforced the area with proper support to ensure the floor's integrity. The project was undertaken with a budget of about $6,000.
Near Lexington, KY
Completed a check-in involving the stabilization of a sinking structure impacting the garage and entry areas of a brick home for Charles in the 40502 area. This project focused on addressing foundational support under the garage and the front steps to prevent further settling and potential damage. Estimated at about $5,800, this essential repair ensures long-lasting stability and safety.
Near Lexington, KY
Completed a foundation stabilization and repair project for Jeff in the 40511 area. The job involved reinforcing the interior walls and adding external stabilization to address structural concerns. Using sturdy braces, the walls were secured to prevent further shifting or cracking. This essential work, carried out with precision, was priced at approximately $40,000.
Near Lexington, KY
Addressed significant shifts in the front of Nieshia's house in the 40514 area. Cracks in the brickwork and a misaligned front door highlighted the issue. The team installed foundation piers to stabilize and correct the structural settlement. Additional repairs addressed interior drywall cracks and other cosmetic damages. The comprehensive repair cost approximately $26,500.
Near Lexington, KY
Gerald's home is experiencing settlement issues, with noticeable cracks appearing on both the interior and exterior foundations. Our team is addressing these problems using slabjacking techniques to stabilize and correct the settling structure. The entire project is approximately valued at $15,400, focusing on restoring the home's integrity in the 40517 area.
Near Lexington, KY
We completed essential structural repairs involving beam and joist reinforcement to address identified issues in the foundation. The project involved careful stabilization efforts to ensure long-term integrity. The approximate cost of this comprehensive repair service was around $9700, reflecting the complexity and materials involved. Work was carried out efficiently to meet the client's needs in zip code 40515.
Near Lexington, KY
