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 tackled a critical waterproofing issue for Kathleen in zip code 40213, addressing a cracked and sinking sidewalk next to her home. The deterioration allowed water to intrude into the basement, risking further damage. Our team worked to correct the sinking and seal the cracks, ensuring effective water management and basement protection. This project was completed for approximately $1.6K.
Near Louisville, KY
We've successfully completed a comprehensive waterproofing job at Cory's property in Louisville, zip code 40216. Our team ensured effective water management by installing a robust waterproofing system, addressing moisture issues to protect the interior spaces. This essential service was carried out for approximately $3K, enhancing the home's longevity and stability.
Near Louisville, KY
Recently completed a foundation repair project for Donna in zip code 40258. Our team addressed a crack in the foundation wall and managed slight water intrusion issues to ensure long-term stability. The work, priced around $3K, involved substantial reinforcement to protect the home's structural integrity.
Near Louisville, KY
Completed a thorough crawlspace moisture barrier and drainage installation for Tyler in zip code 40228. This project included setting up an effective drainage solution and sealing the crawlspace to protect against moisture and enhance the foundation's integrity. The investment for this important upgrade was about $11.5K, ensuring long-lasting peace of mind and structural stability for the home.
Near Louisville, KY
Addressed significant foundation issues at Stephanie's property in zip code 40220. The project involved repairing foundation cracks and addressing house settling, utilizing specialized support systems to bolster the home's structural stability. This comprehensive repair was completed for approximately $22K, ensuring long-term support and peace of mind.
Near Louisville, KY
We completed a foundational support job at Amy's property in zip code 40217. The project focused on installing secure supports to enhance the structural integrity of the home. This crucial service was provided at an approximate cost of $5K, ensuring long-term stability and safety.
Near Louisville, KY
Successfully addressed a structural issue with Roger's garage in zip code 40229. A corner was noticeably dropping, so our team installed stabilization supports to reinforce the foundation. The job was completed with attention to detail, effectively halting further settling and ensuring long-term structural integrity. This project was undertaken for approximately $12.5K.
Near Louisville, KY
Recently completed a comprehensive waterproofing job for Charles in zip code 40216. Our team addressed a leaking basement by installing a reliable drainage system to manage water flow and prevent further damage. The project included interior reinforcements and exterior modifications to ensure lasting protection. The service was carried out at an approximate cost of $21.4K, enhancing the home's integrity and safeguarding against water issues.
Near Louisville, KY
Addressed foundational issues at Mike's property in the 40213 area. Our team installed helical piers to stabilize the foundation, ensuring long-term structural integrity. This essential repair was conducted for approximately $8.4K, enhancing the property's overall stability.
Near Louisville, KY
