Concrete is a durable and long-lasting paving material that provides you with years of support and use. However, concrete can be susceptible to sinking and lifting due to unstable foundation soil and erosion below the concrete layers. In addition, tree roots and other vegetation growth can cause your concrete to become damaged and to need repairs to restore it to proper function and usage. Here are some recommendations to help you repair your concrete surface that has been damaged due to sinking or cracking.

Lift the Concrete Slab

When you realize your level concrete slab has begun to lift along one edge to make the surface completely unlevel, you need to repair it to prevent further damage. An unlevel concrete slab is at risk of cracking and collapsing when the foundation becomes unstable and contains any air pockets. 

You can restore the slab to its level position without replacing it with the help of a concrete leveling service. The concrete leveling service will drill holes through your concrete slab so they can inject a solution below the slab. This solution can be a mixture of grout solution and concrete, which will push the concrete slab upward and back into its correct position. Once this is completed, you will need to allow the repair mixture to harden below the concrete, but the concrete will be fully level and stable once it has cured fully. 

Replace the Slab

Another option to repair an unlevel concrete slab is to demolish the concrete and replace it fully. This option is recommended for you when your concrete slab has broken apart and is damaged to the point that its surface is not repairable. In an older concrete slab or one that has fully failed, this option is more cost-effective. 

Once the concrete slab has been removed from the area, you will need to repair the soil foundation problems or remove the damaging tree roots that led to the settling and cracking in the first place. 

Resurface and Grind the Concrete

Another option to repair your concrete lifting is to repair the concrete's surface by grinding down any raised areas and also using a concrete leveling product to restore the surface. Contact a local concrete grinding service to come to your property and remove the protruding pieces with a grinding process. This is useful when specific corners of a sidewalk or section in a driveway have heaved upward and the remaining surface is still relatively level.

As a great DIY project, you can also use a concrete leveling product to resurface the concrete and restore it. You will combine the concrete mixture with water and spread it onto the concrete until it makes a level surface. Be sure you prepare the surface with a full cleaning, then allow it to cure completely before walking on it. 

If you need help with your project, contact a concrete lifting service.

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