The Work Of Concrete Contractors

Steps In The Concrete Leveling Process

3 August 2021

Jeffery Hayes

If you have a concrete driveway, walkway, patio, or foundation that's not quite level anymore, you may notice that the sunken area causes damage to the concrete around it. In addition, a pathway that's not level can present a tripping hazard, collect water during rainstorms, and cause other inconveniences or safety problems. 

So it makes sense that you'd consider having the concrete repaired by a concrete leveling contractor. But if you haven't had this type of work done before, you may not know much about the process and may be wondering what to expect.

Here are the basic steps in the concrete leveling process.

1. Assess and plan

First, your contractor will need to check out the situation, focusing on details like the cause and severity of the problem. While re-pouring the entire slab of concrete or adding leveling material onto low spots can help obtain a more level surface, that only works long-term in some situations. If the problem is caused by erosion, settling, or similar problems, adding more to the top of the slab won't halt the continuing damage. In this case, your concrete levelers may use a process called mud jacking to raise the slab by inserting fill beneath.

2. Apply the fill or leveling material 

Whether you and your contractor have decided to level the concrete from above or from beneath, the next step is to bring in and apply the material. In the case of adding material on top, your contractors will mix up the material, prep the surface, and apply. In the case of mud jacking, your contractors will drill small holes, inject the appropriate material beneath, then seal up the drilled hole.

3. Reassess the situation

After applying a leveling material, your contractors will use boards and concrete scrapers to get the top surface as level as possible. Or if inserting fill material beneath the surface, they'll use tools such as levels to reassess the condition of the surface and check for any slope or any other high or low spots. Then they can go back and apply more material if needed to achieve a totally level surface.

4. Finish and cure the repair material

The next step is to make sure the surface looks great by filling any cracks before leaving the material to cure. The cure time needed may depend on the temperature, the type of material used, and other factors. Be sure to check with your contractor before they leave to find out how long you should leave the surface undisturbed before using it as usual. Observing the correct cure time is critical to ensure the best outcomes for your concrete leveling job.

These are the basic steps to getting your sunken or otherwise uneven concrete back to level. As you can see, the steps vary depending on the situation and the specifics of the repair. Get in touch with a local concrete leveling service today to learn more about the appropriate methods and materials for your concrete repair.

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