Sinking Concrete? Here’s How TFS Can Fix It
Sinking concrete can leave your driveway, sidewalk, patio, porch, or other concrete surfaces uneven and potentially create troublesome trip hazards. Fortunately, replacing the entire slab isn’t always necessary. If you want to fix sinking concrete, TFS – The Foundation Specialists offers PolyLevel®, a polyurethane injection system designed to lift and stabilize settled concrete by addressing voids beneath the slab. Call TFS or fill out the form below to schedule your FREE inspection. Our team can evaluate the reason your concrete is sinking, determine whether it can be repaired, and recommend a solution to restore a safer, more even surface.
Why Does Concrete Sink?
Concrete is heavy, and its stability depends on the soil underneath it. When that soil can no longer provide consistent support, portions of a concrete slab can begin to settle.
Several conditions can contribute to sinking concrete.
Soil Washout
Water moving underneath or alongside concrete can gradually wash soil away. As empty spaces develop beneath the slab, the concrete loses the support it needs and may begin to sink.
Poor drainage, downspouts, heavy rainfall, and improper grading can all contribute to soil erosion around concrete.
Poorly Compacted Soil
Before concrete is poured, the soil underneath should be properly prepared and compacted. If fill soil was not adequately compacted during construction, it may compress over time under the weight of the slab.
The result can be uneven settlement and cracking.
Dry and Shrinking Soil
Extended periods of dry weather can cause certain soils to shrink. As the soil pulls away from the bottom of the concrete, unsupported areas or voids can develop.
When the slab can no longer bridge those spaces, it may begin to settle.
Signs Your Concrete Is Settling
Settlement is not always limited to an obviously sunken slab. Some of the first warning signs may be relatively subtle.
Look for:
- Uneven sections of concrete
- Cracks combined with changes in elevation
- Sidewalk slabs that create trip hazards
- Driveway sections sinking near the garage
- Water pooling in low areas
- Gaps underneath concrete slabs
- Patios sloping toward the home
- Steps or porches that appear uneven
If you notice these symptoms, it is important to determine why the concrete is moving before simply filling cracks or covering the surface.
How Does TFS Fix Sinking Concrete?
TFS uses PolyLevel® to lift and stabilize many types of settled concrete. Unlike simply patching the visible damage, PolyLevel addresses the empty spaces and unstable conditions beneath the slab.
Here’s how the process works.
1. Small Injection Holes Are Drilled
The repair begins by strategically drilling small holes through the affected concrete. These holes provide access to the spaces underneath the slab.
2. Polyurethane Is Injected Beneath the Concrete
A specially engineered polyurethane material is injected through the holes and beneath the concrete.
The material flows into voids underneath the slab before expanding.
3. The Foam Expands and Lifts the Slab
As PolyLevel expands, it fills empty spaces and provides additional support underneath the concrete. The expansion can also carefully raise settled sections toward the desired position.
This controlled process allows technicians to monitor the slab as it moves.
4. The Concrete Is Stabilized
Once the material has expanded and cured, it creates a lightweight, durable support beneath the slab.
The injection holes are then patched, leaving a much less invasive repair than removing and repouring the entire concrete surface.
Why Use PolyLevel Instead of Concrete Replacement?
Homeowners sometimes assume that a sinking driveway or patio automatically needs to be torn out and replaced. In many situations, the existing concrete may still be in good enough condition to repair.
Using PolyLevel to fix sinking concrete offers several benefits, including:
- Smaller injection holes
- Minimal disruption to the surrounding property
- Lightweight material that does not add significant weight to unstable soil
- Fast curing
- Precise lifting capabilities
- Stabilization of voids underneath the slab
- Repair of existing concrete rather than complete replacement
An inspection is an important first step because it determines whether a slab can be lifted, depending on its condition.
What Happens to the Cracks and Joints?
Lifting the slab addresses settlement, but you may still need to attend to cracks and joints after stabilizing the concrete.
TFS offers NexusPro® Joint Sealant to seal cracks and joints in concrete. NexusPro is designed to remain flexible as concrete naturally expands and contracts.
Sealing these areas can also help reduce water intrusion through open cracks and joints, helping protect the soil beneath the repaired concrete.
Where Can PolyLevel Be Used?
PolyLevel can be used for many residential concrete surfaces, including:
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Patios
- Pool decks
- Garage floors
- Concrete steps
- Porches
- Walkways
The appropriate repair depends on the condition of the concrete and what is causing the settlement.
Can You Fix Sinking Concrete Yourself?
Adding patching material or crack filler may improve the appearance of damaged concrete, but it does not fill the void underneath a sinking slab.
Likewise, adding material on top of the concrete may disguise an uneven surface without addressing the lack of support underneath it.
A lasting repair should address both the position of the slab and the conditions contributing to its settlement.
Restore Your Sinking Concrete With TFS
You don’t necessarily have to tear out an entire driveway, sidewalk, or patio to fix sinking concrete. With PolyLevel®, TFS can fill voids beneath settled slabs, lift affected areas, and provide additional support underneath the concrete, while NexusPro® can be used to seal remaining cracks and joints. The first step is determining why the slab moved and whether it is a good candidate for repair. Call TFS – The Foundation Specialists or fill out the form below to schedule your FREE concrete inspection today and learn how we can help restore your uneven concrete.
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