Concrete Leveling Costs

Even the best contractors can miss the mark, and this becomes a big problem when it involves concrete. Homeowners may find that everything from their home’s foundation, sidewalks around the property, pool decks, patios, and other areas have an uneven surface. This is when concrete leveling becomes essential, and it is a task best left in the hands of experts.

Typically, self-leveling concrete can be poured to fill in the gaps and make up for areas that may have formed depressions. The average homeowner may be able to handle small jobs of this kind. However, when it is a significant issue, a process known as “mudjacking” is used. It helps to lift an entire slab or section and can even reverse areas that have settled over time.

It can be a complicated process, but it comes in at a substantially lower price than an all-out replacement. The trouble is that concrete requires leveling because something supporting it has failed, and this can mean that the leveling may eventually fail, too. Also, if inspections reveal that the soil beneath a foundation or slab is “unstable” (meaning it is prone to shifting or may continue to degrade over time), mudjacking will not work. At such times, and when a slab is six inches or more in thickness, replacing it is required.

The decision to use mudjacking should come from an expert, and homeowners must factor in everything from professional inspections and engineering reports to the actual cost of the project.

Concrete leveling: 100 sq.ft., mudjacking

Other considerations and costs

• When the problem relates to the fill beneath a concrete slab or foundation, and that fill is determined to be unstable, a specialized polyurethane material may be used, and this is far more costly, at around $2,300 per 100 square feet. It is not strong and is not suited to most applications.
• Unfortunately, there are no warranties made available for concrete leveling of any kind, and even when a project is complex and costly, it may fail without any recourse for a refund.

DIY considerations

• As noted, small projects with self-leveling concrete are suitable to the avid DIY enthusiast, but when it involves structural concerns, it is the domain of the experts.
• Shop around for bids, and work only with highly experienced providers. Firms that specialize in concrete repairs are the best options and will provide detailed information about the problem you face and the best materials for the repair.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.