It’s common for concrete to settle or sink over time, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the signs. Cracking or uneven concrete is a hazard and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. There are ways to repair settled concrete and it doesn’t always involve ripping it out and starting over. With the right experience and tools, you can bring life back into your concrete patios, driveways, steps, and foundation relatively easily. If you’re avoiding concrete repair because you’re afraid of the high costs of a full redo project, give us a call for an assessment. It’s highly likely we can lift and repair it. But first, let’s address some of the major causes of concrete settling. Here are three reasons why:
- Poorly compacted fill soil – If you are in a new home or recently constructed a new driveway, patio, or sidewalk, fill soil was probably brought in and distributed to ensure the ground was level before the concrete gets poured. The ensures you have an even, flat foundation for the pavement. If the fill soil was not compacted effectively, it will compress and settle over time. This creates settling, sinking, and cracking. In many cases, settling can be very severe and requires immediate attention. If your home is new and you’re already seeing issues, contact the builder, your real estate agent, or your homeowner’s insurance as soon as possible.
- Changes in soil moisture – When soil moisture changes underneath a concrete slab, it can create voids in the overall volume of the soil below it and cause settling. This is very common in areas where the soil is highly comprised of clay, which is prevalent throughout Utah, due to clay’s nature to greatly compact when it dries out and expand when it gets wet. Utah’s weather is extremely varied, so be sure to do quarterly assessments of your concrete to see if damage is brewing.
- Washouts underneath the concrete – Washouts can occur from a variety of reasons such as heavy precipitation, leaks from sprinkler systems or plumbing lines, erosion from natural causes, or accidentally leaving a hose on for too long (which many of us are guilty of). When these water issues get under your concrete slab, a washout often occurs, and the concrete can sink. With water restrictions this summer, hand watering will be common for the next few months. Pay attention to your hose lines and be sure you turn them off when you are done.
Sometimes damage can be extensive and requires a full excavation of your current concrete and reinstallation. If your concrete has major damage and extensive sinking, this may be your best option. But often, your concrete just needs a little face lift. At Lift Right Concrete, we can assess your property for free and provide you with an estimate quickly to see what’s best for your needs. Our passion for high quality, durable concrete shows in our work, and we make sure to find out the cause of settling before we repair so you don’t have to go through the same issue in the future. For expert lifting services, reach out today.
