Dallas, TX · Concrete Leveling
Concrete Leveling in Dallas
Concrete leveling in Dallas to lift sunken driveways, walks, patios and pool decks back into place with foam or slurry, without tearing them out.
01 — What this covers
The work itself
- Polyurethane foam lifting
- Slurry lifting (mudjacking)
- Driveway panels that dropped at the garage or street
- Sidewalk trip hazards
- Patios and porches that tilt toward the house
- Pool decks that settled
- Filling voids under slabs
- Joint sealing after leveling
02 — Detail
Why slabs sink in Dallas
Flatwork sinks when the soil under it shrinks, washes out or was never compacted properly. Dallas clay shrinks a lot in long, hot summers, and rain running under a slab edge can carry fine soil away. Next to houses, backfill around the foundation often settles for years after construction.
The result is a driveway panel that drops at the garage, a sidewalk with a trip edge, or a patio that tilts toward the back door and sends rain toward the house.
If the slab is still in one or a few large pieces, it can often be lifted back into place instead of replaced.
03 — Detail
Foam lifting and slurry lifting
Polyurethane foam lifting drills small holes, about the size of a coin, and injects a foam that expands under the slab, filling voids and lifting it. It is light, sets quickly and the slab can usually be used the same day.
Slurry lifting, often called mudjacking, pumps a cement-based slurry under the slab through larger holes. It is heavier and takes longer to cure, but it can be less expensive on some jobs.
The contractor will recommend one or the other based on the soil, the size of the void and the use of the slab. Both leave patched holes that are visible up close.
04 — Detail
What leveling can and cannot do
Leveling works well on slabs that are intact or broken into a few large pieces, and where the problem is a void or soft soil underneath. It is much faster and cheaper than replacement and causes little disruption.
It cannot fix a slab broken into many pieces, a surface that is crumbling, or a slab that keeps rising and falling because the clay underneath swells. On very active soil, lifted slabs can move again.
Leveling also does not repair house foundations. If the problem is the foundation of the house itself, that is a different specialty and should be assessed by a foundation repair company.
05 — Detail
Driveways and sidewalks
Driveway panels that drop at the garage door are one of the most common leveling jobs in Dallas. The soil next to the garage slab was backfilled during construction and settles, and the driveway follows it down.
Sidewalk trip hazards are another. A panel lifted by a tree root cannot be lowered by leveling, but a sunken neighbor panel can be raised to meet it, or the edge can be ground.
For the public sidewalk and drive approach, remember the city right-of-way rules; the contractor will tell you when work there needs a permit.
06 — Detail
Patios and pool decks
A patio that tilts toward the house is more than an eyesore. It sends rainwater against the foundation, which can make clay under the house swell unevenly. Lifting the patio back to a slope away from the house fixes the drainage at the same time.
Pool decks settle when soil around the pool shell was not compacted well or when leaks wash it out. Leveling is possible, but any leak should be found and fixed first, or the deck will sink again.
Care is needed near pool plumbing and electrical lines under the deck. An experienced crew locates them before drilling.
07 — Detail
After the lift
Once the slab is lifted, the drill holes are patched and the joints and cracks are sealed so water does not wash out the soil again. That last step is what makes a leveling job last.
Fixing the reason the slab sank, a downspout pouring water at the edge, a low spot, a leak, makes a big difference. The contractor will point out anything they see.
A lifted slab can usually be used right away with foam, or after a day or so with slurry.
How we work
Step by step
- 01
Call to describe the sunken areas and send photos.
- 02
Site visit to measure, check the slab condition and find the cause.
- 03
Written estimate for foam or slurry lifting, or advice to replace.
- 04
Drilling, injection and controlled lifting, then patching the holes.
- 05
Sealing joints and cracks, with drainage advice.
What it costs
Leveling pricing depends on the number and size of slabs, how far they have to be lifted, the size of the voids and the method. It is usually much less than replacement.
Questions
Concrete Leveling — asked and answered
Is foam lifting better than mudjacking?
Foam is lighter, uses smaller holes and cures faster. Slurry can cost less on some jobs. The right choice depends on the soil and the void.
How long does leveling last?
Many years when the cause, like water at the edge, is fixed. On very active clay, slabs can move again.
Can you level a cracked slab?
If it is in a few large pieces, usually yes. Slabs broken into many pieces are better replaced.
Will the holes show?
They are patched with a matching mix but are visible up close, especially slurry holes.
Can leveling fix my house foundation?
No. Concrete leveling is for flatwork like driveways and patios. House foundations need a foundation repair specialist.
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