Look in your front yard or check outwards from your window, and if you see a lot of spongy, uneven patches in your lawn, this means that the ground underneath isn’t stable enough. This situation calls for concrete leveling.
Concrete leveling is one of the easiest and most economical ways to fix your driveway, sidewalk, pool deck, or any other surface that has sunken or shifted due to soil movement beneath it. It’s a fast, efficient way to make sure your surface is level and secure.
While a little bit of sloping or settling can be expected on any concrete surface, the uneven or spongy ground can cause tripping hazards and even further damage to your property. Concrete leveling can help restore the surface, eliminating these problems.
What Is Concrete Leveling?
Concrete leveling/sloping is the process where low pots or depressions in driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, patios, or other flat surfaces are filled with a cement-like material to create a more level, stable surface.
To level the concrete, a special blend of cement and aggregate is combined with water and placed into an adjustable machine.
This machine then pumps the wet mix through an adjustable hose and nozzle onto the surface. The material is then worked over the surface with a squeegee or other tool until it sets and levels out.
Reasons Why Concrete Leveling is Required
As mentioned earlier, a little bit of sloping or settling can be expected on any concrete surface.
While a small amount doesn’t typically cause much of a problem, if the surface has sunken more than one or two inches, it may be time to look into concrete leveling.
Here are some situations that call for concrete leveling:
Uneven Concrete May Be Risky
Without a single doubt, uneven concrete is dangerous and can cause tripping hazards.
The chances of tripping and falling, especially due to uneven surfaces, increase significantly. Also, a badly sloped or sunken driveway can cause wheel alignment issues for cars that frequently drive over it.
Thus, creating a concrete slope or leveling the said concrete is the right way to reduce these possibilities.
Water Issues
Have you ever noticed sidewalks during a rainstorm? Whenever it rains, water gathers in lower areas. If your driveway or sidewalk has sunken, this can create a pooling effect. The problem with this is that if the water doesn’t have anywhere to drain, it will become stagnant and could lead to additional problems such as mold or algae growth.
Aside from water collecting in that sunken area, it can also cause water damage to the surrounding area. If it gets too cold, it’ll freeze – which can then get slippery and cause hazardous conditions.
Additionally, water will permeate through cracks in the concrete and cause further damage to the ground beneath it. This can lead to soil erosion, sinkholes, and more problems.
Issue Gets Worse During Winter
During the winter, weather extremes can cause issues with concrete. When it gets cold, the ground typically contracts and moves downward.
This can cause further sinking or shifting of your concrete surface. The issue can get even worse when rain and snow are added to the mix. They add extra weight to the ground, causing it to sink further or move around more.
Winter is the season or, say, the worst time for concrete problems. Most of these problems initially start with a small one, but due to extremely cold weather, the problem gets worse.
A Small Problem May Lead to Even Bigger Problems
While some people may say that cracks in cement or any uneven surface is an isolated case or incident, the truth is, it’s not. It’s a sign that something deeper is happening beneath the ground.
A closer look reveals that the soil is shifting slowly, creating more damage to the foundation of your property. Additionally, water can seep through these cracks and cause further erosion or structural damage.
Top Advantages Of Concrete Repairing And Leveling
By now, we’ve already established that concrete leveling and repair are necessary for the safety of your property. But apart from that, here are some more advantages of getting concrete repairs done:
Enhanced Durability & Longevity
When you get a professional concrete repair service to level the surface, you can expect it to last longer.
This is because they use the right tools and materials to ensure that it’s properly leveled. Also, they use methods like poly jacking to lift the concrete and make sure that it doesn’t sink again.
Beautification & Increased Value
A professional repair job can greatly enhance the look of your property. The surface looks neat and level, thus improving its overall aesthetic appeal. As an added bonus, this can also increase the value of your property.
Less Expensive Than Concrete Replacement
Replacing the existing concrete with a new one can cost quite a bit of money. But with repairing or leveling, you don’t have to go through this lengthy and expensive process. It’s often much less expensive than replacing it altogether, given that you spot the problem early on and take action to address it.
Safety & Comfort
The main reason why people opt for concrete repair is safety and comfort. After the leveling process, your driveway or sidewalk will be even and comfortable to walk on. As mentioned earlier, uneven surfaces may be a falling and tripping hazard, thus, it’s essential to get it leveled as soon as possible.
Save on Labor Costs
In general, the labor cost associated with a concrete repair is not as expensive compared to that of concrete replacement.
This means that you don’t have to spend a fortune just to get the job done. Professional contractors understand the need for prompt services, so they will be sure to finish the project within a reasonable amount of time and budget.
Stops Water Pooling
Don’t you hate it when you get out to the driveway and find it wet? Water pooling, as harmless as it may look, can cause a significant amount of damage to the foundation.
This can be easily avoided by getting concrete repair and leveling services done as soon as possible, which will also prevent water from pooling on the surface.
Prevents Cracks and Other Bigger Damage
Once the concrete surface has been leveled, you won’t have to worry about any further damage. This will also help prevent the formation of cracks and other bigger issues related to uneven surfaces.
Concrete Leveling: Final Thoughts
The idea of concrete leveling, no matter how simple, can significantly improve and even change the entire look of your property.
Plus, it also boosts the safety aspect by providing a level and even surface. So if you have noticed any unevenness in your cement surfaces, now is the time to get concrete repair & leveling done!
