Kingsport, TN
Concrete is tough and durable, so it can be surprising and disappointing when it fails. It can also be dangerous. When concrete cracks, sinks, buckles or shifts, it results in an unaesthetic and potentially dangerous situation, especially on sidewalks or driveways. Uneven concrete is a tripping hazard and can easily catch the wheel of a bike or scooter. Issues in concrete can also result in structural damage to homes and garages. Concrete slabs often fail because of what is going on underneath them: when soil naturally shifts, the area under concrete is exposed to moisture, which causes holes to form in the soil. Over time, those holes cause the soil structure to deteriorate, leading to cracked or sunken concrete.
Concrete leveling is a process to help stabilize the soil under cracked or sunken concrete slabs, including sidewalks, driveways, steps, porches or patios. The method involves drilling holes in the concrete and pumping a leveling material through the drilled holes and under the concrete slab to stabilize the loose soil underneath. This returns the sunken slab back to its original position as a stable base.
Our Tri-cities concrete professionals share on the blog today the top signs to look for to determine if it’s time to call a concrete-leveling professional.
Cracks
Cracks are one of the most common signs that concrete may need leveling. Some cracks, such as those on sidewalks, can be caused by tree roots expanding and contracting; in that case, an arborist would need to address the tree before a solution for the concrete could be determined. But if concrete cracks and then sinks, that’s a good indication that the soil is eroding underneath. Inside your home, look for cracks around doors and windows, walls and exterior brick. Our concrete leveling experts in Kingsport warn that if ignored, cracks will encourage further erosion under concrete, and the problem will worsen over time.
Separation
Erosion can cause concrete to sink and separate between driveways, patios and even structures like homes and garages. Driveway separation is dangerous because it presents a tripping hazard. Separation that is causing structural issues should be checked by our Bristol concrete repair specialists. Warning signs include porches or chimneys pulling away from homes or separation between walls and ceilings. Unaddressed, this could result in serious structural damage.
Pooled water
Concrete is usually installed with a slight slope to allow water to drain from the surface. Any pooling of water on a concrete surface indicates an erosion problem. Likewise, when water pools in places like patios, sidewalks and driveways, it’s time to contact our concrete professionals in Johnson City for a consultation about concrete leveling.
Warping floors
If floors inside your home are warping or sagging — or if tile is cracking — contact one of our professionals to check for erosion.
Damaged concrete due to erosion is a serious issue that could also be dangerous. Tripping, falling from a bike and structural damage are just a few of the hazards that concrete leveling could help prevent.
Professional Concrete Leveling in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol
To learn more about our professional concrete leveling — or to schedule an inspection — contact Top Notch Raising at (423) 482-8383. We provide free estimates and will explain your project’s scope in detail before beginning any work. We proudly provide our services for residential and commercial concrete lifting needs in the Tri-Cities.