Concrete Leveling

Why Concrete Settles and Sinks

Uneven concrete is more than just an eyesore. It creates trip hazards that put your family and visitors at risk. Water pools in low spots, leading to more damage. Doors and thresholds become difficult to use. The problem only gets worse over time as the sinking continues. Understanding why concrete settles helps you appreciate the importance of fixing it properly.

Concrete sinks when the soil underneath compresses, erodes, or shifts. Common causes include poorly compacted fill soil during construction, water washing away soil from beneath the slab, tree roots disturbing the base, or freeze-thaw cycles causing ground movement. Here in Woburn, these conditions are part of everyday life. Your concrete surfaces face constant challenges from our climate and soil conditions.

Many homeowners assume replacement is the only solution when concrete sinks. The truth is that concrete leveling offers a faster, more affordable alternative that often works just as well. If your concrete is structurally sound but has settled unevenly, leveling can restore it to proper grade at a fraction of replacement cost. This means less disruption, lower expense, and results you can use the same day or next day in most cases.

How Concrete Leveling Works

The Mudjacking Process

Mudjacking, also called slab jacking, involves pumping a cement-based slurry underneath the sunken concrete. We drill small holes through the slab, insert injection ports, and pump the mixture beneath the concrete. As material fills the void, it lifts the slab back to the correct height. Once level, we remove the ports and patch the holes. The whole process typically takes just a few hours for most residential applications.

Polyurethane Foam Injection

A newer method uses expanding polyurethane foam instead of cement slurry. This lightweight foam fills voids and lifts concrete with precision. The foam cures quickly, often within 15 minutes, so you can use the surface almost immediately. Polyurethane weighs much less than mudjacking material, reducing future settling risk. The injection holes are smaller, typically just 5/8 inch, making repairs less noticeable. Both methods work well, and we recommend the best approach for your specific situation.

What We Can Level

• Driveways with uneven sections or sunken areas
• Sidewalks and walkways that have settled
• Patio slabs that are no longer level
• Garage floors with low spots or sloping
• Pool decks that have sunk away from the pool
• Concrete steps that have pulled away from the house

Not every concrete problem is a good candidate for leveling. Concrete that is badly cracked, crumbling, or structurally compromised needs replacement instead. We honestly assess each situation and recommend leveling only when it makes sense. Our goal is to provide the most cost-effective solution that actually solves your problem, whether that is leveling or replacement.

The Benefits of Concrete Leveling

Cost savings are significant with leveling. You typically pay 50 to 70 percent less than full replacement. There is no demolition, no hauling away broken concrete, and no waiting weeks for new concrete to cure. Most leveling projects complete in a single day, and you can use the surface within hours or the next day. This saves you both money and time.

The work itself is much less disruptive than replacement. We do not tear up your landscaping or create piles of debris. There is no loud jackhammering for hours. Our equipment is relatively compact and quiet. We complete the work and clean up, leaving you with level concrete and minimal evidence we were even there. Your property stays intact and functional throughout the process.

Environmental benefits matter too. Leveling keeps concrete out of landfills and eliminates the energy and emissions associated with producing and transporting new concrete. You reuse what you already have rather than consuming new resources. For environmentally conscious homeowners, leveling is the greener choice that still delivers excellent results.

Perhaps most importantly, leveling eliminates safety hazards quickly. Those trip hazards disappear, water drainage improves, and your property becomes safer for everyone. You also prevent further damage that uneven concrete causes to adjacent structures and surfaces. At WK Woburn Concrete, we have helped countless homeowners restore their concrete surfaces affordably and effectively through professional leveling services.

Common Questions About Concrete Leveling