Common Problems
Common causes for concrete settlement: Concrete can sink or settle for various reasons...
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Improper Sub Grade - Concrete was installed on improper sub grade that may not have been properly compacted. Eventually, the slab will start to settle over a few years.
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Soil erosion - Drainage, run off from roof water or improper downspout placement can be another contributor in slab settlement.
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Natural Soil Settlement - If the slab is 5 to 7 years old, it could eperience natural movement. As the concrete starts to sink, it can cause walking hazards, unbeneficial water runoff, or foundation issues.
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Critter Invasion - Small rodents, woodchucks, chipmonks burrow under slabs removing sub grade and allowing slabs to sink.
The repair process is simple and isn't destructive like concrete removal and replacement. Small holes are drilled into the concrete slab that needs raising. A concrete slurry is pumped into these holes under slight pressure filling voids under the slab. As pressure builds, the slab is hydraulically raised to the necessary grade, removing the trip hazards and unevenness of the concrete. The final step is to fill the small holes with a concrete mixture, restoring the integrity to the sidewalk, driveway, or slab concrete that is being raised. Slabjacking or Mudjacking isn't complicated, but it’s not for amateurs. Experienced professionals can perform this procedure to avoid doing even greater damage. Amateur work often results in further, or irreparable damage that usually costs more to repair or replace than the original damage. Concrete Raising, sometimes called mudjacking or slabjacking, is an efficient alternative to replacement. Demolishing old structures and laying new concrete requires more equipment, and more professionals compared to mudjacking. This makes the replacement cost nearly twice as much as mudjacking. Not only is it less expensive, raised concrete can be used almost immediately while new concrete pours may take several days before they can be walked on and a month to fully set. There is also no need to disturb adjacent landscaping or plants, making the whole endeavor a much cleaner process.
