Frequently Asked Concrete Repair Questions
Q: What Causes Concrete to Sink?
A: There are several factors that can cause concrete to sink/settle, including:
- Water or soil erosion
- Burrowing animals
- Insufficient compaction
- Tree roots under concrete
- Expansive clay under concrete
- Drying of soil
Q: How Exactly Is Sunken Concrete Corrected?
A: Settled, uneven concrete slabs can be quickly and economically raised to their original positions by pumping specially blended material below the slab.
Q: What Is the Difference Between Mudjacking and Slabjacking?
A: Mudjacking and slabjacking are both terms that are used interchangeably to describe the process of raising concrete slabs with hydraulic pressure.
Q: How Long Does Concrete Raising Take?
A: Most of the jobs completed by American Concrete Raising are completed within one day.
Q: Will the Raised Concrete Be as Good as New?
A: The short and simple answer is yes! The raised concrete will remain at its new elevation, as long as:
- The subbase has completely compacted (2-3 years is usually a sufficient amount of time to complete the majority of the settlement).
- The water problems causing erosion are addressed. Most often, the fix can be as simple as putting an extension onto gutter spouts, but it is always a good idea to caulk open joints and major cracks in a slab as well. Caulking is another service we offer here at American Concrete Raising.
Q: Are There Benefits to Raising Concrete Instead of Replacing It?
Q: Are There Benefits to Raising Concrete Instead of Replacing It?A: There are several advantages to raising concrete slabs instead of breaking it out and replacing it with new concrete, including:
- Cost: Concrete raising usually costs less than half the cost of new concrete. Sometimes, it costs even less than that.
- Time: We can raise concrete in one day and have it ready to be driven or walked on the same day. On the other hand, placing new concrete involves demolishing and removing the old concrete, pouring new concrete, and curing of the fresh concrete. Curing involves waiting for new concrete to achieve its desired properties for its intended use and could take up to two weeks or more.
- Appearance: New concrete is invariably a different color than the remaining concrete. A large patched section will be conspicuous to the eye. Concrete raising uses only a few small holes that blend in more inconspicuously.
- Convenience: Because our concrete raising service requires no heavy equipment on lawns or landscaping, and the noise is minimal, the process is very convenient for our customers.