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How To Raise Level Of Concrete Patio

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A-1 Concrete Leveling Patio Leveling

What does a professional charge to level my driveway?

It depends on the size of your driveway and how much foam they have to use.

  • Count on a contractor charging you least $2500-$4000 to inject foam into your residential driveways, if not more. Foam jacking costs less than half of replacing your driveway.
  • If you were to replace your entire driveway with concrete it would cost upwards of $8000-12,000 again, depending on the size.
  • You can do option 1 or 2 for less than half.

What Causes A Slab To Sink And Methods To Prevent Sinking

Ideally, the contractor who built your home, garage, porch, or driveway will have taken the time to compress the soil below your concrete foundation.

Unfortunately, some homeowners realize too late that their contractors overlooked this crucial step. The resulting insecure foundation can result in various ongoing problems such as uneven slabs, cement cracks, foundational issues, and depressions in your patio or driveway.


To prevent slab sinking, contractors should ensure that the fill earth content they are using to secure foundations includes granular particles, like a non-organic sand and gravel mix.

Then, the contractor can compact the soil with a hand-held tool for a sturdy base that can withstand the weight of a home, garage, or driveway.

If your builder has overlooked the compressing process, then, over time, the spaces between the solid particles in the soil can create a problem in the foundation of your home.

The extreme pressure of a building or slab of concrete can gradually compact the dirt, squeezing air and water from the soil and shrinking the earthen base.

The soil gradually begins to sink along with your home, garage, driveway, or sidewalk slab. The foundational shift results in an uneven, dangerous eyesore on your property and can even crack the concrete if left unattended.


Properly compacting the soil will force water and air from the area and minimize the space between soil particles.

Common Concrete Leveling Problems And Solutions

Both of the methods detailed above will result in a leveled slab. However, every project has its unique challenges and can reveal some common problems.

When working to raise an uneven slab, you should always inject foam or grout, depending on your preferences slowly. Pumping too quickly can cause cracks to form, enlarge existing fissures, or lift the slab too high.

Alternatively, if you notice foam or grout seeping out of the side of the slab, you may need to slow your pace as well. Allow the existing foam to set before resuming application.

If the foam spills out of the hole or won’t sink below the slab, drilling deeper into the soil below the slab may help. You can also try using your shop vac to suck out blockages caused by debris or blow air into the holes.


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What Causes Concrete Slabs To Sink Or Become Uneven

Concrete slabs sink and become uneven for a variety of reasons including

Drainage problems. Too much water can wash away the soil under a slab leaving behind voids that the slab will then sink into.

Weak soil that cant hold up the slab. Not all types of soil are strong enough to support the weight of a concrete slab.

Expansive soil. Expansive soil swells when it soaks up water and shrinks when it dries out. Over time this swelling-shrinking cycle can cause uneven slabs.


Invasive tree roots. You can probably guess how this happens. The roots push against the slab and cause sections of it to become uneven.

Polyurethane Concrete Raising Technique

Concrete Lifting and Leveling

Mudjacking has been used for many years to lift and level concrete, using a cement mixture that is pumped under slabs to give them support. While this method is effective, it does have drawbacks. At Advance Concrete Lifting and Leveling, we have chosen to use a polymer injection technique that uses polyurethane foam to lift and level concrete. This option has advantages over using the traditional cement option of mudjacking, including:

  • Polyurethane is lightweight compared to cement
  • Polymer injection requires smaller holes in the concrete
  • Polyurethane cures in about 15 minutes cement can take days
  • Polyurethane is eco-friendly and bonds with soil for a solid surface

Our method is quicker than mudjacking with less damage to the concrete, yet it still can last for decades and is safe for the environment.

If you have a concrete surface that is unlevel or sinking, call our team at Advance Concrete Lifting and Leveling. We offer fast, affordable lifting and leveling for many different types of concrete surfaces, including driveways, walkways, basement floors, pool decks and patios. Contact us today to learn more about how we can fix your concrete problem in the greater Atlanta and Alpharetta area.

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Level Sand With A Trowel And A Straight Piece Of Wood

Level the sand using a trowel and the straight end of a piece of wood. We are using a 2×2 scrap wood because it happens to be the exact same thickness as the pavers we are leveling.

Running the piece of wood back and forth allows you to evenly distribute the sand in the area. Also with this board being the same thickness, it provided a guide for how much sand should be applied. When the height of the board reached the string we had in place we knew we were on target with the right amount of leveling sand.

This is where using a level is critical. Using the Empire 16 in. True Blue Digital Box Level we were able to gauge how level the ground was and measure the degree of the slope as we extended down the patio. The True Blue Digital Box Level has an audio indicator that would beep as we approached a level surface.

This tool makes make this task seamless and quick.

How Does It Work

The polymer foam works by injecting it below the sunken concrete slab. This causes it to rise to its appropriate position. It also helps to stabilize loose soil. Once completed after just a few hours, the concrete can be used again shortly after it cures.


The final results are a smooth and level concrete surface. Only dime-sized holes are used to inject the polymer. So they are barely noticeable.

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Drill Holes In The Slab

Using a 1/2″ or 5/8″ masonry bit and a low setting on your drill, slowly begin to drill into the concrete. Take care not to work too quickly, as the sudden impact can create cracks in the concrete and dull the bit due to overheating.

Drill until the bit passes through the cement, leaving a hole around the size of a dime. Repeat the same process for each additional mark. When you’ve finished drilling, use your wet-dry vac to vacuum dust and debris from the holes, taking care to set some of the concrete dust aside to mix with your concrete patch later.

How To Level A Concrete Slab Using A Jack

A-1 Concrete Leveling Pittsburgh – Concrete Patio Repair

Before you begin your slab-leveling project, gather your tools and locate the area of the dip or depression in your concrete. While you can perform a slab-leveling repair in almost any kind of weather, you may want to choose a dry day to ensure that the foam will harden quickly and moisture won’t cause the soil to sink deeper below the concrete.


Clean the driveway or sidewalk and remove any toys, automobiles, or debris. Sweep or blow the concrete to clear the remaining dust and dirt, then grab your level and a piece of chalk.

  • High-quality hydraulic bottle jack allows you to lift up to 40,000 lbs of dead weight from 9-1/2″ to 17-3/4″ lifting range.
  • An extra-wide flat base adds stability and reduces “sinking” on softer surfaces which make this jack ideal for lifting concrete.
  • Engineered using a drop forged alloyed steel construction for quality and durability as the Inner/outer welded structure delivers leak-free performance.
  • Built to exceed the highest of safety regulations as it meets ASME PASE standards and includes a limited 1-year manufacturer warranty.

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Prep The Area By Setting A Reference Point

Using a spike and some string we placed the spice at the area that had the perfect elevation.

We then ran the string down the length of the tiles we wanted to level, ensuring that the string was level by using a binder clip with a mini level attached to it.

Running the string down the entire length of the pavers and patio area that we wanted to level provided a visual reference when applying the sand later in the process. This preparation step is a way of streamlining the leveling process.

Patch The Concrete With A Quick

When youve filled all of the holes and removed the excess foam from your slab, grab the quick-setting cement mixture and mix it with your original concrete powder to ensure consistent color in your grout.

Use a grout bag to apply the cement, or transfer small amounts of the batch using a steel trowel. Fill and smooth the top of the first hole, then move to the rest of the holes, filling with grout and leveling to patch the injection sites.

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Fill The Holes With Foam

Pour a small amount of both parts of the foam into your quart bucket to test the speed at which the foam mixes and sets. Use your mixing attachment to blend the solution and time its rising rate.

While this step may seem unnecessary, you will need to move quickly when hand-pouring foam. Gauging the foam’s mixing and setting time will allow you to work methodically and reduce cleanup or wasted materials.

After determining how quickly the foam sets, mix one gallon of solution part A with one gallon of part B in a five-gallon bucket lined with plastic. Mix for roughly 15 seconds with your powered attachment or until the two parts have combined thoroughly.

Place a funnel in the first hole and begin to pour the foam mixture into the opening. Once you’ve filled the first hole, repeat the mixing and pouring process for each of the remaining holes.

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Concrete Leveling

Installing a patio is very time consuming and laborious, especially if you are doing the work completely alone and you have little experience. Instead, solicit Matt Myette Landscaping and get the most from your patio with our skilled artisans, which only save you time and in the long run, money. Contact us for a consultation today!

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What Are The Different Ways To Lift And Level A Concrete Slab

Traditionally, uneven concrete slabs were repaired in one of two ways. They were repaired either via a technique called mudjacking, or by tearing up the uneven slab and pouring new concrete. Both these methods have their drawbacks though. Well explain how each one of them works, and then well explain how polyurethane foam injection works. Youll agree with us that its the best way to lift and level a concrete slab.

Why Diy Fixes Wont Cut It

With a big-box DIY store around just about every corner, its tempting to try a quick fix for your cracked or sunken pavement. You could seal the cracks with cheap polyurethane caulk. You might even try some sort of driveway resurfacing kit to hide the flaws in your concrete, but that wont address the soil underneath your slabs thats causing the problem to begin with. Plus, lets face it, a DIY surface never looks as good as one thats professionally installed. The truth is, if you really want professional results, you need to hire a professional team with the experience, equipment and guarantee to do the job right.

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Ready To Give Your Concrete A Lift

There are so many benefits to raising concrete with foam rather than replacing it. But not all concrete slabs can be raised. Some are just too damaged and will need to be replaced.

Ready to find out if your concrete can be raised? We offer a lifetime warranty on concrete that is at least 10 years of age. Schedule your free estimate and evaluation of your concrete today!

What Are The Solutions For Existing Patios

Pouring Concrete For A 2 Level Patio Slab

If you have an existing concrete patio that does not have a drainage system, its not too late to install one. Where the water tends to collect, cut out a sloping channel in the concrete to direct the water away, filling it with decorative stone or gravel.

Instead of gravel, you can also have a trench or channel drain made of metal installed. These drains are typically just a few inches wide and allow water to pass through, but keep out debris. They are installed flush with the surrounding patio so they won’t be a triping hazard.

A more radical yet effective solution is to reestablish the pitch of the patio slab by installing a cement-based overlay. On this project, the pitch of the patio was corrected by installing an overlay ranging from 4 inches down to under an inch. The overlay was placed in sections separated by integrally colored borders to add decorative interest and to eliminate the need for sawcuts.

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Average Cost To Raise And Level Concrete

The greatest advantage to raising and leveling concrete with polyurethane foam compared to replacement is cost. While the price for each job varies, a good rule of thumb is that raising and leveling concrete is usually around 50%-80% less than cost of replacement! So in example a typical $4,000 concrete driveway replacement may cost around $800 $2,000 to raise and level. Keep reading to get a better idea of what your concrete project may cost.

To give you a more realistic understanding of the average price for raising concrete here are some typical projects and average costs for each

Polyurethane Foam Vs Mudjacking

Many homeowners and professionals prefer using foam for lifting concrete instead of mud-jacking which involves leveling slabs using grout for several reasons.

Firstly, even the most novice repairman can efficiently work with foam, while grout is more challenging. Secondly, foam won’t settle after it hardens as grout does ensuring that your slab will remain level for years to come.

Lastly, foam typically requires less mixing and cleanup than grout, making it a desirable option for homeowners with little experience repairing unlevel slabs and even less free time to improve their curb appeal.

Even so, some contractors and DIY warriors prefer to use grout when leveling slabs. Utilizing grout closely mirrors the foam injection process, so feel free to choose the product that suits your taste for a quick, simple job well done.

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Options To Repair Your Sunken Concrete

If you have sunken or settled slabs, you might be researching the best approach to repair or replace your concrete. There are a few options, three of which well take a closer look at to determine which is the best fit. Each option has its pros and cons, and certain circumstances will necessitate one over the other. As such, its best to have a professional take a look at your settled, or settling, concrete to determine the best approach. Read below for more information about each approach!

How Do You Raise The Level Of A Concrete Patio

Level Concrete Patio for Drainage

5/5concrete levelingraisepatiosconcrete slabLevel’sconcrete leveling

Considering this, how much does it cost to level a concrete patio?

The cost of leveling a slab usually averages around $500 to $1,500, but it all depends on the size of the area to level, the materials used, and the labor involved. Foam leveling will likely cost around $2,000-2,500 for a 100 square foot slab.

One may also ask, will Great Stuff foam lift concrete? Geolift can help to lift existing concrete surfaces and fix those problem areas around your house with much less labor. Geolift works for driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, even pool decks.

Also Know, does foam jacking last?

Mudjacking can last for long periods, but it is inherently less reliable and usually does need to be replaced. The injected materials are extremely heavy and can cause a new round of soil compression beneath the slab.

How do you fill voids under concrete?

  • Drill at least four holes through the slab at a point that’s centered on the void beneath.
  • Connect a hose to a slabjacking pump, then run the hose to the holes leading to the void.
  • Mix the fill material in a wheelbarrow, using a spade.
  • Fill the pump with the fill material and set it to a pressure of 10 psi.
  • How to Repair Sinking Concrete Steps

  • Dig out all around the concrete steps with a shovel.
  • Drill four holes into your concrete steps with a hammer drill.
  • Drive a concrete colt sleeve into each hole.
  • Screw your eye bolts into the holes you just drilled.
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    When Do You Need Concrete Leveling

    The warning signs to level your concrete are not always apparent. Cracked, sinking concrete is the main sign of a poorly compacted subsoil, erosion from water leaks, animals tunneling underground, or other structural issues that require leveling.

  • The slab begins to show cracks, sinking, or structural issues.
  • Windows and doors may no longer open or close correctly, showing foundation issues.
  • There are signs of soil erosion from water drainage issues, plumbing leaks, or a lack of gutters.
  • Patch The Holes With Concrete

    When you’ve filled all of the holes with foam, mix your quick-setting concrete with the concrete dust you gathered before vacuuming.

    Combining the old dust with the new grout mixture will help camouflage the patches for a near-seamless finish.

    Using a grout bag to spread a small amount of cement in each hole will reduce cleanup. Fill the holes to the rim, then use a steel towel to smooth out the cement’s surface. Patch one hole at a time to prevent the grout from hardening and leaving a lump in your slab.

    If you don’t have access to a grout bag, you can use the trowel to scoop the cement into the holes then even out the surface.

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