Cost Considerations for Concrete Leveling

Costs Associated with Concrete Leveling

The issues with your driveway are compounding and you are considering your options… The first question is “Will concrete leveling work for my project? The second question is “Yeah, but what is it going to cost me?” In this brief guide, we will give you enough information about the concrete leveling process to prepare you for receiving a bid for your project.

What happened to my concrete?

Root systems from nearby trees will cause concrete to lift; usually, this problem is rather obvious and requires a delicate resolution. However, when concrete sinks, it indicates a different problem.

While concrete is very rigid, it is also very porous. That solid concrete surface has very small spaces throughout. Rainwater, over time, makes its way through those spaces and erodes the soil under a concrete slab. The surface and joints between slabs might become uneven and the once smooth surface now has become a tripping hazard. If left unchecked, erosion can create enough of a void that the weight of vehicles or the weight of the slab itself can cause cracks to develop. Perhaps this explains your current situation.

In the past, homeowners waited until the problem progressed and finally replaced the slab section. Recent advances in technology offer solutions that can save homeowners between 50% and 70% of the cost of slab replacement.

The PolyLevel Concrete Leveling Injection Process

The problem with sunken concrete is that erosion has created voids and gaps under the concrete slab. Gravity is pulling the slab down to fill the void. Scientists have engineered some very creative solutions and Leveled uses the most versatile, strongest, and most reliable product; high-density polyurethane foam—PolyLevel.

This engineered product has several properties that make it an ideal solution for leveling concrete. Small, penny sized-holes are drilled through the slab and PolyLevel foam is injected into the voids under considerable pressure.

• Pressure forces the PolyLevel foam into voids and it expands rapidly. The expanding foam squeezes into the smallest gaps and fills them.
• The foam is strong enough to lift the weight of the concrete slab as it expands. It is strong enough to hold and carry not only the slab weight but vehicular traffic’s weight as well. It is amazing stuff.
• A skilled contractor can adjust the chemical reaction and control the foam’s expansion, and they know how much PolyLevel to inject at a time to achieve lift where needed. This ensures the concrete returns to the proper level. PolyLevel cures quickly and is ready to support weight within 15 minutes of injection.
• Not only does the PolyLevel foam keep its shape, but it also does not react to water, will not decay, and is pest resistant. Since it is inert, it is completely friendly to the environment.
• A skilled, properly equipped team can complete most projects in one day.

Cost Factors of Concrete Leveling

While a site visit is required before a cost proposal can be made for your project, there are some common factors that affect the level of difficulty. These factors determine the time and material needed to complete the project and therefore determine the project cost. The evaluation will inspect:

• The size of voids and gaps that need to be filled. Large gaps require more material. Large gaps require more time to complete the project.
• The severity of the breakage will also affect project costs. The number and nature of the damage will determine the number of injection sites needed for the desired results.
• Ease of access will also affect the cost; the service vehicles must be positioned close enough to the site or additional equipment will be required. Injection sites that are very difficult to get to can also affect the cost.

Cost Comparison with Replacement

Replacing a concrete slab is very expensive. No cost guide would be complete without comparing the two solutions. Replacing concrete includes:

• Demolition, typically requires the old concrete to be broken up with a jackhammer or heavy equipment.
• Debris removal and disposal. A piece of equipment will load the debris into a dump truck. The debris will be taken to a landfill.
• The new slab will require fill to prevent erosion. New concrete will be poured, and the surface will be finished (smoothed to your specifications).
• The new concrete will require several days to cure before it can receive vehicle traffic.
• If equipment and installation disturb significant lawn or landscaping, these costs will need to be factored into the project cost.

Concrete replacement is also priced according to the amount of material required and the time required to install. Ease of access will also be considered.

Is this a DIY project?

Many homeowners like a good challenge and are willing to endure some hardship to save money on the care of their own property. Cleaning and sealing concrete are DIY projects. Repairing a small crack along the edge of a slab can be a DIY project, although getting it right might take a few attempts.

However, when repairing large, heavy slabs of concrete; when you need the right equipment and it is not available at the local tool rental shop; and when “not enough” and “too much” take precision that comes with practice and experience, concrete leveling should be left for professionals.

Doing this type of project on your own often backfires, resulting in broken concrete that cannot be repaired. The only option available will be a replacement. Getting it wrong will cost much more than calling a professional.

Benefits of Using a Professional

• Leveled is locally owned. That means we are familiar with the soil types, drainage problems, and construction methods used by local Houston area contractors.
• Leveled lifts concrete slabs and repairs broken concrete where possible. We can also install new concrete to replaces old concrete if the slabs can’t be repaired. This approach helps us determine the severity of the damage for an honest evaluation. We know that all projects are not the same and there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.
• Leveled has years of experience leveling concrete. For over 5 years we have been injecting expanding foam under surfaces to return them to the correct height, and we do this task very well.
• Leveled’s team has knowledge of the polyurethane material we use and have extensive training. We are prepared for inevitable complications.
• Leveled provides a free consultation and evaluation. Our experience and local knowledge, or project quotes, whether replacement or repair, are the best value we can offer to our clients.

Have Questions about Polylevel?

When you are ready to fix that uneven concrete, call us at 832-995-2000 to schedule your free inspection for concrete repair. Leveled can schedule a free inspection to help walk you through your options.