Learn why driveways, sidewalks, patios and garage floors sink in Spokane, WA. Discover the common causes of concrete settlement and how concrete leveling can often restore uneven concrete without replacement.
If you've noticed your driveway sinking, your sidewalk becoming uneven, or your patio creating a trip hazard, you're not alone. Uneven concrete is a common problem for homeowners throughout Spokane and the surrounding communities.
The good news is that sinking concrete doesn't always need to be removed and replaced. In many situations, existing concrete can be lifted and stabilized using modern concrete leveling techniques.
Understanding why concrete settles is the first step toward choosing the right repair solution.
Concrete is extremely strong.
In most cases, the concrete itself isn't the problem.
The issue is usually the soil beneath the slab.
Over time, the supporting soil can shift, settle, erode, or lose strength. When that happens, portions of the concrete begin to sink because they no longer have uniform support underneath them.
One of the most common causes is simple soil settlement.
After homes are built, disturbed soil continues to compact over time.
As the soil settles, small voids can develop beneath concrete slabs, allowing sections of the concrete to sink.
Water is another leading cause of uneven concrete.
Poor drainage, leaking downspouts, irrigation problems, or heavy rainfall can gradually wash supporting soil away from beneath a slab.
Without adequate support, concrete begins to settle.
Spokane experiences winter freeze-thaw cycles that can contribute to soil movement beneath concrete.
Moisture expands when frozen and contracts as temperatures rise.
Over many seasons, this natural process can contribute to uneven support beneath driveways, sidewalks and patios.
Large trees can also contribute to uneven concrete.
Roots may lift portions of a slab while nearby soil settles, creating uneven walking surfaces and trip hazards.
Standing water is one of the biggest long-term contributors to concrete settlement.
Proper grading and drainage help reduce soil movement beneath concrete surfaces.
Watch for these warning signs:
Addressing these issues early may help prevent additional movement.
Not necessarily.
If the concrete is still structurally sound, leveling may be an option.
Concrete replacement often involves demolition, hauling away old concrete, preparing a new base, pouring new concrete, and waiting for it to cure.
Concrete leveling instead raises the existing slab by stabilizing the support beneath it.
The appropriate repair depends on the condition of the concrete and the cause of the settlement.
Many contractors today use polyurethane foam injection to lift settled concrete.
Small holes are drilled through the slab.
Expanding polyurethane foam is injected beneath the concrete where it fills voids and gradually raises the slab toward its original position.
Potential advantages include:
Concrete replacement may still be recommended when:
A professional inspection can determine which repair method is most appropriate.
Concrete leveling is often chosen because it can:
Every property is different, and the best solution depends on the specific conditions. Commercial concrete leveling is also available for businesses and property managers.
If your driveway, sidewalk, patio, or garage floor has settled, it's worth having the concrete evaluated before deciding on replacement.
Spokane Concrete Leveling proudly serves homeowners throughout Spokane and surrounding communities.
Call 509-355-6406 or request a free estimate online to learn more about your repair options.
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Keep reading
Wondering if your concrete needs leveling? Learn the seven most common warning signs Spokane homeowners should watch for before uneven concrete becomes a larger problem.
Does water collect on your driveway after it rains? Learn why standing water develops, what it may indicate about your concrete, and when concrete leveling may help restore proper drainage.
Can cracked concrete still be leveled? Learn when concrete leveling may be an option, when replacement may be recommended, and how Spokane homeowners can evaluate damaged concrete.
Concrete leveling saves the slab you already have, at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
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