Concrete Leveling

Raise Sunken Concrete Instead of Replacing It

When concrete slabs settle and become uneven, you don't always need to tear them out and start over. Concrete leveling lifts sunken sections back to their original position, eliminating trip hazards and drainage problems at a fraction of replacement cost. This process works for driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, and other concrete surfaces that have settled over time.

Settling happens when the soil underneath concrete shifts, erodes, or compacts. This is common in our area due to soil composition, water movement, and normal ground settling. Rather than breaking out perfectly good concrete that just happens to be sitting too low, leveling raises it back up and stabilizes the base to prevent future settling.

We provide concrete leveling services throughout Lathrop and San Joaquin County using proven techniques that deliver lasting results. Most projects are completed in a day, the concrete is usable immediately or within hours, and you save 50 to 70% compared to replacement costs. It's a smart solution when the concrete itself is still in good condition but just needs to be brought back to the right level.

How Concrete Leveling Works

Modern concrete leveling uses advanced materials and techniques to lift settled slabs precisely and permanently. The process is minimally invasive and much faster than traditional methods like mudjacking.

The Leveling Process

• We drill small holes (usually about 1 inch diameter) through the sunken concrete
• Polyurethane foam or specialized slurry is injected under the slab through these holes
• The material expands and hardens, filling voids and lifting the concrete
• We carefully monitor and control the lift to achieve precise leveling
• Once the slab reaches the correct height, we seal the injection holes
• The area is ready for use immediately or within a few hours

The foam or slurry flows into all the voids under the slab, filling spaces created by soil erosion or settling. As it expands and hardens, it lifts the concrete from below while simultaneously stabilizing the base. This addresses both the symptom (sunken concrete) and the underlying cause (unstable soil or voids).

The injection holes are small enough that once filled, they're barely noticeable. The entire process creates minimal mess and disruption compared to tearing out and replacing concrete, which involves jackhammers, heavy equipment, debris removal, and days or weeks of waiting for new concrete to cure.

When Leveling Is the Right Solution

Concrete leveling works great for many situations, but it's not always the answer. Understanding when to level versus when to replace helps you make the right choice.

Good Candidates for Leveling

Settled Driveways: If your driveway has dropped near the garage, creating a lip that's a trip hazard or causes water to pool, leveling brings it back to grade. This is one of the most common leveling applications.

Uneven Sidewalks and Walkways: Sunken sections that create tripping hazards are perfect for leveling. City codes often require property owners to fix these hazards, and leveling is the most cost-effective solution.

Sloped Patios: When patios settle and slope the wrong direction, water drains toward your house instead of away from it. Leveling corrects the pitch and prevents water problems.

Pool Decks: Settling around pools creates dangerous trip hazards and looks bad. Leveling fixes both problems without the extensive work of replacement around an existing pool.

Leveling doesn't work for concrete that's severely cracked, breaking apart, or structurally failing. In those cases, replacement is necessary. We'll evaluate your concrete honestly and recommend leveling only when it's appropriate. If your concrete needs replacement instead, we handle that too with our concrete repair and replacement services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Leveling