Concrete Lifting in Illinois for Sunken & Uneven Concrete
What Is Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting is a repair method used to raise and support sunken or uneven concrete without removing the entire slab. When the existing concrete is still in suitable condition, material is placed beneath the slab to fill voids and unsupported areas and carefully lift the concrete toward the proper elevation.
Scritchlow provides concrete lifting for driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, walkways, steps, and other settled concrete surfaces throughout Central and Northern Illinois.
Settlement can be caused by soil movement, erosion, poor compaction, drainage problems, or voids beneath the concrete. A site evaluation helps determine what caused the movement and whether lifting is the right repair option.
What Causes Concrete to Sink?
Concrete slabs can settle when the soil beneath them loses support. Common causes include poorly compacted soil, erosion, water movement, drainage problems, washout, and voids beneath the concrete.
Illinois weather can also contribute to changes in the soil beneath concrete. Identifying the cause of settlement helps determine whether concrete lifting is an appropriate repair.
When Is Concrete Lifting Not the Right Solution?
Concrete lifting works best when the existing slab is still structurally suitable for repair. Concrete that is severely cracked, crumbling, extensively deteriorated, or otherwise damaged may be a better candidate for replacement.
Drainage problems, erosion, or other conditions around the slab may also need to be addressed so the underlying cause of settlement is not ignored.
How Do I Know If My Concrete Can Be Lifted?
Uneven concrete does not automatically need to be replaced. A professional evaluation can determine the condition of the slab, how much it has settled, whether voids are present beneath it, and what may be causing the movement.
Scritchlow evaluates sunken driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, walkways, and other concrete surfaces throughout Central and Northern Illinois to determine whether lifting or replacement is the better option.
When Can Concrete Lifting Be Done?
Concrete lifting can be performed during much of the year as long as site and ground conditions are suitable for the work.
The concrete, surrounding soil, drainage conditions, and access to the slab all affect whether a project can be completed safely and effectively.
During colder months, frozen ground or severe weather may limit when lifting can be performed. A site evaluation is the best way to determine whether current conditions are appropriate for your project.
- Suitable for many residential and commercial concrete surfaces
- Site and soil conditions are evaluated before work begins
- Frozen ground or severe weather may delay some projects
- Scheduling depends on accessibility and project conditions
Concrete Lifting FAQs
Get answers to common questions about lifting sunken concrete, repair suitability, timing, costs, and when replacement may be the better option.