August 24, 2011 at 4:43 PM

Concrete Lifting (also known as mud jacking or slab jacking) is a service that Kent Companies Eastern Michigan Division has been doing very successfully for over 12 years. Our service area consists of the Metro Detroit, Southeastern Michigan, and surrounding areas. Clientele have been able to take advantage of Kent Companies years of experience. This has earned the distinction of being Michigan's Premier Mud Jacking Company.

Due to Michigan's harsh winters and rainy spring seasons, concrete goes through a variety of changes. Water and freezing temperatures are concrete's worse enemy. Drive and walkway areas are constantly moving with the freeze thaw cycle during these times. Concrete does one thing: it "cracks". As one national cement supplier told me, "it returns to its original state: rock". That is why most drives and sidewalks have expansion joints. These installed features are either cut with a diamond blade saw or placed in strategic areas by the concrete contractor. This allows the concrete to move and crack in the designated areas. Unfortunately not all contractors install them correctly or in the right locations.

Contractors also install a base for the concrete. This is made of compacted sand. Sometimes wire or rod are also placed under the concrete, but usually are not. If the base is not compacted correctly the concrete will slope and crack. After the concrete cracks, it allows water to enter. This will wash the base material out from the concrete, thus creating large voids underneath. Eventually cracking occurs under the weight of vehicles (in the case of driveways or garage slabs) or due to simple gravity as the weight of the concrete creates downward force without support underneath (in the case of walkways). Water flow from eves not directed properly is a main cause for concrete failing. This will make the base of sidewalks and driveways fail as well. Something as simple as a newly-installed underground sprinkler system, installed in lawn and landscaped areas can also make sidewalks lower and crack from leaking sprinkler heads or from improper adjustment of the sprinkler system's water flow. 

Kent takes a very unique approach to each and every customer's situation. We find out what is causing the problem. If the problem is not fixed that created the situation to begin with, it will continue to fail regardless of what is done. After careful review, Kent will offer a solution to the problem. This offers our customers options as to how to best solve their ongoing dilemma. If the customer fully realizes the problem, we are happy to correct it for them to the best of our ability. Usually we can raise the problem area back to the original height, unless it is too broken to lift. In such a case, a tear out and replacement would be suggested, but this is typically a last resort.

Kent Companies is your one stop shop for all your concrete needs.