Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in construction because it has many important qualities, such as strength and durability. However, concrete is not immune to damage, so steps must sometimes be taken to fix it. For example, concrete foundations are prone to settling, or sinking into the surrounding soil, which puts the structure on top under strain. Fortunately, our team at S&E Custom Grading & Concrete offers concrete leveling services to correct this issue. In this article, we will provide an overview of how concrete leveling works.
- Drilling – The first step in the concrete leveling process (after assessment and planning, of course) is to drill holes at strategic points across the concrete slab. These holes range in size from about ¾” to 2 ½” depending on the type of leveling being used and the needs of the project. The purpose of these holes is to allow access to the area below the slab.
- Injection – Once the holes are drilled, the next step in concrete leveling is to inject a compound through them, under the slab. Various compounds can be used depending on the project requirements, with the most common options being a mixture of sand and cement or expanding foam. The leveling compound rises and cures, lifting the foundation back into place.
- Sealing – The final step in concrete leveling is to seal off the drilled holes. After enough leveling compound has been added and the concrete slab is back in place, our team will fill in the holes and smooth out the concrete once more.