concrete settlement

Common Causes of Concrete Settlement and How to Avoid Them

Kingsport, TN

Are you tired of stubbing your foot on your uneven sidewalk? Do you cringe every time you drive over your bumpy driveway? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, then we’ve got good news for you. Settled, cracked, or uneven concrete can be irritating, but it’s also dangerous. Thankfully, Top Notch Raising offers a simple solution that lifts and levels damaged concrete without having to replace the slab entirely. Polyurethane concrete lifting utilizes a lightweight spray foam that’s injected into small entry points drilled into the slab. But what causes concrete settling and how can you avoid this issue? Today on the blog, our concrete leveling professionals answer these questions and share what to do if your concrete has settled.

Change in soil moisture

Soil moisture is nearly impossible to avoid. But unfortunately, the amount of moisture in the soil impacts the stability of concrete. Soil with a high amount of clay is likely to dry out, causing the clay to sink. And inevitably, once the clay sinks, so does the concrete. Unfortunately, when soil retains too much moisture, the soil expands, which may crack and raise concrete, creating an uneven surface.

Poor soil compaction

Fill soil should be used to level the ground and create a flat foundation before pouring concrete. Contractors should be aware of and practice this technique when building homes and pouring concrete. However, that may not always be the case and could occur when homeowners attempt do-it-yourself projects. If the soil is poorly compacted or not compacted at all, you risk concrete settling, which becomes cracked, uneven, and unsafe.

Soil erosion

Soil erosion may occur when water runs underneath a concrete slab. This may occur due to cracks and could be caused by plumbing leaks, or heavy rainfall, and can even occur naturally. Soil erosion may also occur if your property is sloped or you do not have proper drainage. In some cases, lifting and leveling the concrete will repair the damage, but you may still need to add proper drainage or build a retaining wall to prevent damage to the concrete again.

What’s the best way to fix sunken concrete?

At Top Notch Raising, we work with polyurethane foam–the only concrete lifting or leveling company in the areas of Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol, Tennessee that offers this procedure. Through the use of this foam, we can repair damaged concrete in a day, and the surface is ready for use in as little as 30 minutes. We inject the foam into pre-drilled holes referred to as access points, each of which is as small as a coin. Then, we inject the foam into the access point to raise the concrete. Once the concrete is level, we seal the access points and cracks so that it blends with the rest of your slab.

Level Uneven Concrete in Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol

Dealing with unsightly or uneven concrete can be a hassle, but also a hazard. We understand that you take pride in your home, and want every aspect of your property, including your concrete, to look appealing and be safe. Therefore, if you are interested in concrete lifting or want to find out how much it costs to level uneven concrete, contact Top Notch Raising by calling (423) 482-8383.

Scroll to Top