In the world of home improvement, the allure of a DIY project can be strong, tempting many homeowners to tackle jobs that might be better left to professionals. One such task that often catches the eye of the ambitious homeowner is concrete leveling. The idea of smoothing out that uneven driveway, sidewalk, or patio without the cost of hiring a professional can seem appealing at first glance. However, the reality of undertaking concrete leveling on your own is fraught with challenges and risks that many might not consider until it’s too late.
Despite the plethora of online tutorials and how-to guides suggesting otherwise, we strongly advise against attempting to level concrete by yourself. First and foremost, the likelihood of successfully leveling concrete as a DIY project is slim. More importantly, the endeavor is riddled with safety concerns that can not only endanger you but also lead to further damage to your property.
In the worst-case scenarios, DIY concrete leveling can exacerbate the problem, transforming a manageable issue into a costly nightmare. It’s surprisingly easy to over-lift a slab or, conversely, to break it during the lifting process. Both outcomes not only complicate the repair process but also inflate the cost far beyond what a standard concrete leveling service might have charged.
When additional damage occurs, you might find yourself facing the need for a complete removal and replacement of the slab—a scenario that is not only expensive but also beyond the capability of many concrete leveling companies. Given that even seasoned concrete contractors can encounter challenges during the leveling process, the odds of a DIY attempt leading to more significant problems are high.
The safer, more efficient alternative is to entrust this task to a professional concrete leveling team. With their expertise, experienced contractors can assess the best method to address your concrete issues, ensuring the job is done safely and effectively on the first try.
Why Do People Attempt to Level Concrete Themselves?
People attempt to level concrete themselves for various reasons. However, the main reason is to save money. Hiring a professional can sometimes be expensive, and leveling concrete is a task that some people feel they can manage on their own.
However, attempting to level concrete without the proper tools, knowledge, and expertise can lead to disastrous consequences. Uneven surfaces, cracks, and even structural damage are all potential risks that could result from improper leveling.
Why DIY Concrete Leveling is a Bad Idea
In a nutshell, DIY concrete leveling is a bad idea because it’s rarely successful.
One popular DIY method for correcting uneven concrete involves the use of self-leveling concrete mixtures. These mixtures are fluid in nature and designed to harden quickly, theoretically smoothing out uneven surfaces when poured over them. However, the application can be fraught with challenges. Not only is self-leveling concrete tricky to work with, but it’s also prone to cracking and fails to tackle the underlying issues causing the unevenness.
Another common approach is to grind down the raised edges of the concrete slabs. Yet, grinding is not only difficult to execute properly without the expertise of professionals but it also generates dust and particles that could be harmful to breathe in. Similar to using self-leveling concrete, grinding does not get to the heart of what causes the concrete to be uneven in the first place.
Why Did Your Concrete Become Unlevel in the First Place?
Concrete slabs such as sidewalks, driveways, and patios can become uneven due to a number of reasons. One of the most common causes of unevenness is settlement. This occurs when the soil beneath the concrete slab shifts, causing the slab to sink in some areas. Settlement can occur due to a tvariety of factors such as soil erosion, poor compaction during construction, and changes in soil moisture content.
Another reason for unevenness in concrete slabs is heaving. This occurs when the soil beneath the slab expands, pushing the slab upward in some areas. Heaving can be caused by changes in soil moisture content, frost action, or the growth of tree roots beneath the slab.
In addition to settlement and heaving, concrete slabs can become uneven due to poor construction practices. For example, if the subgrade beneath the slab is not properly leveled and compacted, the slab is more likely to become uneven over time. Similarly, if the concrete is not allowed to cure properly, it may shrink and crack, leading to unevenness.Finally, heavy usage can also contribute to the unevenness of concrete slabs. Foot traffic, vehicle traffic, and other forms of use can cause the concrete to wear down and become uneven over time.
How a Professional Performs Concrete Leveling
Below is a quick overview of the steps a qualified team will use to complete concrete leveling:
- Locate voids in the soil: Since voids are often responsible for unlevel concrete, locating them is a necessary first step in the concrete leveling process.
- Drill holes through the concrete: A concrete repair team will drill small holes through the concrete slab to access the soil voids.
- Polyjacking material is injected: The main stage of the concrete leveling process is to inject the polyjacking foam under the slab via the holes. The material will fill the voids and raise the concrete as much as possible without causing damage.
- Conceal the drill holes: Once the injection stage is complete, the holes are patched with a compound that closely matches the color of the slab. Fifteen minutes or so after the job is complete, the slab is ready for use.
Should You Choose Polyjacking or Mudjacking?
Polyjacking is considered to be better than mudjacking for several reasons.
- Polyjacking foam is lightweight – Polyjacking involves the use of high-density polyurethane foam, which is a lightweight material that can be easily injected under concrete surfaces. This foam expands quickly, filling all the small voids and crevices in the concrete, and hardens in just a few minutes. On the other hand, mudjacking uses a mixture of water, cement, and soil, which is heavier and less effective in filling voids.
- Polyjacking foam is more durable – The polyurethane foam used in polyjacking is resistant to erosion, cracking, and water damage, while the mud mixture used in mudjacking is prone to erosion and shrinkage, making it a less reliable solution in the long term.
- Polyjacking is less invasive – Another significant advantage of polyjacking is that it is a less invasive method. The lightweight polyurethane foam can be easily injected under the concrete surface without causing any damage to the surrounding area or disrupting the natural environment. In contrast, mudjacking requires drilling larger holes and injecting a substantial amount of cement and soil, which is pretty messy.
- Polyjacking is cost-effective – Although the initial cost of polyjacking may be slightly higher, it saves money in the long run by providing a more durable and reliable solution that requires less maintenance and repairs.
Need Help with Concrete Leveling?
If you need concrete leveling in the Atlanta, GA Metro area, contact Signature Polyjacking today to schedule an evaluation and receive a repair estimate.
