Durable, affordable, and relatively low-maintenance, concrete offers a lot of advantages for construction projects—especially when it comes to laying foundations. But one common downfall of this popular building material is that it can sink, and in turn, become cracked, uneven, and unstable. Fortunately, if sinking concrete has left you in need of foundation repair, you may be able to resolve the problem through an innovative process known as slabjacking. To help shed more light on this technique, here are a few common questions people have about slabjacking.

5 Slabjacking FAQ

How is slabjacking performed?

An experienced foundation repair contractor should perform Slabjacking. To start, the contractor will locate sunken concrete and drill a small hole into the surface. Using a hose, they will pump a mixture of soil, mud, and polyurethane foam into the hole to lift the concrete slab until it is level. Once slabs are properly lifted, the contractor will carefully patch the surface to smooth out the concrete.

Why does concrete sink?

Soil goes through natural cycles of taking on moisture and drying out. Over time, these patterns can cause the soil to shift and disrupt any materials that are above ground. When the ground beneath concrete shifts, the slabs will rise or sink accordingly.

What are the benefits of slabjacking?

In the past, concrete foundation repair required professionals to break up the old surface and form entirely new slabs. This process, however, can be labor-intensive, costly, and disruptive.

With slabjacking, contractors can level out the foundation without having to remove old materials. As a result, less mess is produced.

The process is also swift and can be completed in under a day, depending on the size of the job. These reduced demands can help save property owners a considerable amount of money.

How can you prevent concrete from sinking?

To prevent concrete from sinking, builders must take care to eliminate voids—or air pockets—in the soil that may settle over time. Rather than building on top of fill dirt, contractors should create a foundation on top of a sand and gravel mixture. Using a compactor, professionals can compress these granular materials together in a way that removes voids.  

Serving the Louisville, KY, community for more than 75 years, Case Foundation Systems offers dependable slabjacking services to help you avoid the complexity and costliness of sunken concrete. Well-versed in foundation repair methods, these experienced specialists will use state-of-the-art tools to lift concrete and restore your building’s stability carefully. And to prevent further foundation damage, this team also offers basement waterproofing, micropiles, and wall anchoring. Visit this contractor online to learn more about these capabilities or call (502) 367-7706 to request a free estimate.