Is your concrete driveway or walkway beginning to sink or sag? If so, you may think that an expensive replacement is in your future. Traditionally, broken or uneven slabs residential slabs would be broken up and replaced. This is an effective, but potentially very costly repair. Depending on the type and extent of the damage, concrete lifting can offer a drastically more cost-effective and quicker alternative. Although the process is far from new, it is only recently that is has begun to see widespread use for residential applications. Because of this, many homeowners are still unaware that it exists or if it might be the right option for their concrete repair.
What Is Lifting?
Concrete lifting goes by a variety of different names, including slabjacking, mudjacking, and concrete leveling. There are actually numerous specific processes that are used, but they all share a similar goal: to raise sagging or sinking concrete by injecting material below its surface. This has the effect of bringing a failing slab back to level with the surrounding slabs or ground. Once the concrete has been raised up, cracks or other damage to the surface can be repaired as normal. Lift repairs can easily last for ten years or more, making them extremely effective long-term solutions.
What Are the Advantages of Lifting vs. Replacement?
The most obvious advantage to having your slabs raised back up is that it is drastically cheaper than replacing an entire slab. Often, a concrete lifting job can cost half as much or less as a full replacement. It is also fast. While replacing a single slab can easily require a full day or longer, most lifting jobs can be done in a couple of hours. You will also be able to use the surface again almost immediately. While some time (usually only a few hours) is required for the material to settle before heavy loads can be applied, you will rarely have to wait even a full day before the surface is ready to be used as normal.
What Types of Concrete Surfaces Can Be Repaired?
Lifting can be used on just about any surface. It is suitable for driveways, walkways, patios, or even pool decks. The only requirement is that the concrete slab must be more or less intact, but even cracked or damaged slabs can usually be raised effectively and then later repaired. If you are concerned that your particular concrete might not be suitable for lifting, the best thing to do is set up a consultation with a local contractor to evaluate its condition. Usually, concrete is only a poor candidate for slabjacking when it is so badly damaged that the pressure from the lifting process is likely to further break it apart.
