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 wrapped up a driveway slabjacking project for Anita in the 49546 area. The end of the driveway was in need of some careful attention. Our team efficiently repaired the cement, restoring it to a stable and leveled state. The job was completed at an approximate cost of $6,600.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Recently addressed water intrusion issues in Eric's basement in zip code 49504. Previous fixes by another company were unsuccessful, so our team stepped in to install a dependable drainage system to effectively manage the water coming through the wall. This solution aims to prevent further leaks, keeping the basement dry and secure. The project was executed for an approximate cost of $5,261.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
In Mitchell's crawlspace, located in zip code 49512, we tackled the challenge of unlevel floors. Our team installed new support jacks to stabilize and reinforce the structure, ensuring long-term integrity. These strategic enhancements were completed for around $12,400.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Completed a concrete floor repair for Ian in East Grand Rapids, zip code 49506. The work involved leveling and securing the surface to ensure safety and stability. This repair, done for around $11,200, enhances the overall durability of the area.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Restored the basement in Dawson's home (49503) by addressing cinderblock walls and corner joist issues. Tackled unlevel floors on the main level, ensuring stability and structural integrity. This important repair service was completed at an approximate cost of $17,700.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
We recently completed a structural repair project to support a bathroom remodel for David in the 49504 area. Our team installed two robust 2x10 planks, ensuring the floor above is well-supported for the renovation. This essential update was carried out for approximately $7,400, providing a stable base for the continued remodeling efforts.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
We recently completed a reinforcement project for Kimberly in the 49504 area. The job focused on addressing foundation settlement and unlevel floors, ensuring improved stability. This essential repair, valued at approximately $1,680, enhances the support structure, preventing future settlement issues. Our team reinforced critical beams and provided necessary adjustments for long-term stability.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
Addressed water damage in the foundation of a home, causing notable holes in the cinder blocks. The repair work ensured the foundation was stabilized and protected against future issues, carried out roughly for $3,200. This crucial work provided necessary foundational support for Vale’s home in the 49503 area.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
We've been working on adjusting the elevation of Gary’s driveway, which required some slabjacking. This process lifted and leveled the surface to prevent water from pooling, improving both functionality and appearance. The job came in at around $2,300, ensuring a smoother surface and better water drainage for Gary.
Near Grand Rapids, MI
