Fixing Vs. Repairing Uneven Concrete

There's a reason unlevel concrete is often left to continue shifting until an unavoidable problem arises – the thought of having it replaced is daunting, and it seems like a time-consuming and costly undertaking. That's because it often is. Full replacement of concrete involves hiring a demolition crew, removing and properly disposing of concrete and debris, stabilizing the foundation anew, and re-pouring the cement. Even then, you'll need to wait 24-72 hours before walking or driving on the fresh concrete. But there's another option that just might be the perfect solution to your uneven concrete woes. Most of the time, having concrete fixed through a lifting process takes less time, requires less manpower and equipment, and ultimately leaves you with a lower bill at the project's completion. However, you may wish to opt for a full removal and replacement based on your individual project needs; a thoughtful comparison can illuminate how these two methods stack up in the context of three overarching categories: cost, time, and quality.

Cost

Each job is unique, so some project-specific elements might slightly alter these figures. But, you can typically assume that lifting and leveling concrete will run you between 50% and 80% less than the cost of replacement. So, for instance, if the full replacement of your concrete driveway is estimated at $4,500, then it would likely cost between $2,250 and $3,600 to have the uneven concrete leveled, instead.

Time

Time spent actually working on or with the concrete and the curing time required after it's poured both contribute to a longer overall time commitment when replacing concrete slabs. Clearly, in a test of speed, concrete lifting wins the race. You can walk on your lifted concrete immediately after the crew leaves. But, if you go for the total replacement, on top of the process having taken that much longer, you'll need to wait a day before you can walk on it, and even then, lightly. If you've gotten your driveway or sidewalk replaced, it can't be driven on for, at least, three days.

Quality

Lifting concrete involves drilling, at least, one small hole in the concrete, under which a polyurethane foam is injected. This foam stabilizes the soil underneath the concrete, resulting in a more uniformly deposited foundation and an increase in the overlying concrete's tensile strength. Replacing your concrete will require a re-stabilizing of the ground soil through human intervention--the same kind that was used in the first place and led to the unlevel concrete. A total replacement of your concrete will probably produce very uniform results. Sometimes a fresh revamp is the goal. Other times, especially if it's a small area, maintaining the original appearance of the concrete as well as possible is important. Again, the best solution here is concrete lifting, as its results are nearly invisible and don't alter the texture or color of the concrete.

Fixing your concrete turns out to be better, in most circumstances, than total concrete replacement in cost, time, and quality. Whatever your specific concrete project, Level Best LLC would love to complete it! Find out how we exceed our customers' expectations (and, schedule a free estimate) on our website.