Whether its due to improper compaction, water damage, or the passage of time, Concrete can begin to settle. This settlage happens at different rates for foundations, sidewalks and even different sections of concrete. This can cause water to pool, large cracks to appear, or a difference in height.
The photo shown provides an example of what the settling of a slab can look like, even after Mud Jacking
This area is prone to collecting water and dirt that has been washed off of vehicles, the roof, or any other manor of things. Other than being an eye sore, this area can lead to ice buildup, trip hazards, and exacerbate water damage.
There are a couple options for repairing this area; one is a process called “Mud Jacking”. This is where small holes are drilled through the slab, and a foam like material is pumped under the slab to lift the area, and fill in the void. This is a great option for slabs that are in otherwise good condition, very little cracking or in an area where there is no foundation damage. The slab above was Mud Jacked once before, which may indicate that the issue was not improper compaction or time, there is likely an issue with water mitigation in the area. It is important to fully assess the area before taking steps to repair the slab to avoid paying twice.
The second option for repairing sunken concrete is to replace the slab. This involves breaking and removing the slab, removing and replacing the grade base that settled with a high quality compactable and draining base like Class 5. Then tying the area to the surrounding concrete with rebar dowels, and placing new concrete.
The most important part of fixing the sunken slab is figuring out why it sunk. The first thing to look for is water; does there appear to be an excess amount of water in the area? Is there a malfunctioning gutter system? Is there a leaking drain system, or water line under the slab? If the answer is yes to any of those, it is imperative to fix the water issue before the slab. If none of these issues are apparent, it may be the passage of time, or improper compaction. In that case, the slab may be repaired in whichever method is preferred.
For a free consultation on your sunken slab, please reach out to info@roxsconcrete.com
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