Concrete Leveling

Fix sunken, uneven concrete slabs quickly and affordably with professional concrete leveling services that restore safety and appearance.

Why Concrete Sinks and Settles

Concrete slabs don't stay perfectly level forever. Over time, the soil underneath can shift, compact, or wash away, leaving voids that cause concrete to sink. This settling creates uneven surfaces that are more than just unsightly. They become trip hazards, cause water to pool in the wrong places, and can even damage the concrete itself through stress cracks. If you have sunken sidewalks, a tilted patio, or a driveway with low spots, concrete leveling offers a practical solution.

Several factors contribute to concrete settling in South Whittier properties. Soil erosion from poor drainage washes away supporting material underneath slabs. Tree roots can push soil aside as they grow. Poorly compacted fill dirt settles over time, especially in newer construction. Even natural soil compression happens as the weight of concrete compacts the ground beneath it. Understanding why your concrete sank helps us fix it properly and prevent future problems.

As experienced concrete contractors in South Whittier, we see settling issues regularly. The good news is that concrete leveling can often fix these problems without the expense and disruption of complete replacement. We assess your situation honestly and recommend leveling when it makes sense, or replacement when that's the better option. Our goal is to give you the most cost-effective, long-lasting solution for your specific situation.

How Concrete Leveling Works

Concrete leveling, also called slab jacking or mudjacking, is a process that lifts sunken concrete back to its original position. Here's how we do it and why it works so well.

The Leveling Process

We start by drilling small holes through the sunken concrete, typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter. These holes serve as injection points. Then we pump a specialized material underneath the slab. As this material fills the voids and builds up, it lifts the concrete from below. We monitor the lift carefully, raising the slab gradually until it reaches the correct level. Once the concrete is level, we patch the holes with concrete that matches the existing surface.

Materials We Use

Modern concrete leveling uses polyurethane foam, which is lightweight, strong, and expands to fill voids completely. This foam is injected as a liquid, then expands and hardens within minutes. It's waterproof, won't wash away, and adds minimal weight to the soil. The alternative is traditional mudjacking, which uses a cement-based slurry. Both methods work well, and we recommend the best option based on your specific situation, budget, and the severity of settling.

When Leveling Works Best

Concrete leveling is ideal when the slab itself is in good condition but has simply settled. If your concrete is structurally sound without major cracks, severe spalling, or deterioration, leveling can restore it effectively. We can typically lift concrete 2 to 6 inches, sometimes more depending on conditions. However, if the concrete is badly cracked, very old, or damaged beyond just settling, replacement might be the better investment. We'll assess your concrete honestly and explain your options.

Benefits of Concrete Leveling

Choosing concrete leveling over replacement offers several important advantages that make it attractive for many South Whittier homeowners and businesses.

•Cost Savings: Leveling typically costs a fraction of what you'd pay to replace concrete. You avoid demo and disposal costs, new material costs, and extensive labor. For many projects, leveling costs 50 to 70 percent less than replacement, making it very budget-friendly.
•Speed: Most leveling projects take just a few hours to complete. The concrete is ready to use immediately after we finish, with no curing time required. Compare that to replacement, which involves multiple days of work and at least a week before you can use the area.
•Less Disruption: We don't tear out your existing concrete, so there's no loud jackhammering, no hauling away debris, and minimal mess. Your landscaping stays intact, and we don't disturb adjacent structures. For businesses, this means less downtime and disruption to operations.
•Environmental Benefits: Leveling keeps existing concrete in place rather than sending it to landfills. You're not using new concrete, which has significant environmental impact to produce. It's a greener choice that conserves resources.
•Safety Improvement: Leveling eliminates trip hazards immediately, making your property safer for family, guests, and customers. It also fixes drainage problems by restoring proper slopes, preventing water damage to foundations and other structures.
•Long-Lasting Results: When done correctly and when underlying issues are addressed, leveled concrete stays level. The materials we use are permanent and won't degrade or wash away. Many leveled slabs remain stable for decades.

These benefits make concrete leveling an excellent choice when your concrete is structurally sound but just needs to be raised back to the proper position.

Common Applications for Concrete Leveling

We use concrete leveling to fix settling problems in various applications around your South Whittier property.

Driveways

Sunken driveway sections create jarring bumps when you drive over them and can collect water that damages the concrete further. We level driveways to restore smooth surfaces and proper drainage. This is especially common where driveways meet garage floors or streets, creating trip hazards or scraping vehicle undercarriages.

Sidewalks and Walkways

Uneven sidewalks are major trip hazards. We level walkway sections that have settled, eliminating dangerous height differences between slabs. This is crucial for safety and can help you avoid liability issues if someone gets injured on your property. Public sidewalks in front of your home often require leveling to meet city safety standards.

Patios

When patio sections sink, water pools instead of draining away. This creates puddles, damages the concrete through freeze-thaw cycles, and makes the space less usable. Leveling restores proper drainage and creates flat surfaces for furniture and activities. Your outdoor living space becomes functional and attractive again.

Garage Floors

Settled garage floors can cause water to flow toward your home instead of toward the door where it should drain. We level garage floors to restore proper slope, preventing water intrusion and creating safer, more functional workspace. This is particularly important if you're considering epoxy coatings or other floor treatments.

Pool Decks

Settled pool deck sections create trip hazards in areas where people walk barefoot and often run. Safety is critical around pools. We level pool decks to eliminate dangerous height differences while preserving the decorative finishes on your existing concrete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about concrete leveling in South Whittier.

How long does leveled concrete last?

When we level your concrete and address the underlying causes of settling, the results are typically permanent. The polyurethane foam or mudjacking materials we use don't break down, compress, or wash away. However, longevity depends on fixing whatever caused the original settling. If poor drainage was the problem, we need to improve that. If tree roots were the issue, we address that. If soil wasn't properly compacted during construction, the material we inject provides that compaction. Most leveled concrete stays level indefinitely when the job is done correctly. We stand behind our leveling work and will discuss specific warranties based on your situation. The concrete itself will continue aging as it normally would, but the leveling correction should remain stable for the life of the slab.

Will the holes you drill be noticeable?

The holes we drill are relatively small, and we patch them carefully with concrete that matches your existing surface. After patching, the holes are visible if you look closely, but they blend in quite well, especially on textured or older concrete. Most people don't notice them unless they're pointed out. The holes are much less noticeable than the alternative of living with sunken, uneven concrete or going through the disruption and expense of complete replacement. For decorative concrete like stamped or colored surfaces, we take extra care to minimize visibility and can sometimes position holes in less obvious locations. We'll show you where we plan to drill before we start so you know what to expect. The small visual trade-off is well worth the benefits of level, safe concrete.

Should I level my concrete or replace it?

This depends on the condition of your concrete. If the slab is structurally sound with only minor cracks and the problem is just settling, leveling is usually the best choice. It costs less, takes less time, and delivers excellent results. However, if your concrete has severe cracking throughout, significant spalling, or is very old and deteriorated, replacement might make more sense as a long-term investment. Age matters too. If your concrete is approaching the end of its useful life anyway, replacing it gives you a fresh start. We'll inspect your concrete and give you honest recommendations. We'll explain the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed decision. Sometimes we recommend leveling now and planning for eventual replacement in several years, which spreads out costs and gives you immediate safety improvements. Check our repair and replacement services for more information about fixing concrete problems.