Do I Have to Replace My Concrete Slab?

Homeowners will sometimes look at a settled slab on their property and panic. They rush to get the slab replaced instead of calling an expert for a concrete lifting repair job. It may not look like it, but concrete lifting can work no matter how severe the settling is. There are some cases in which a slab cannot be lifted, but these are rare. 

• When to Replace Your Concrete Slab  

Before deciding to replace your settled slab, speak to an experienced concrete lifting professional for proper assessment. Replacing a slab is expensive, tedious, and unnecessary. It’s best to get a professional’s opinion on whether or not it’s too far gone. Part of the reason replacement is so unnecessary is because it doesn’t solve the actual problem: soil washout. If the slab was able to settle once, then it will do so again unless you have a reliable support material like polyurethane foam. 

Usually, concrete slabs can be lifted even when they are cracked. The polyurethane foam will still level out the side of the slab that has settled and the two parts can be even again. Once they are leveled, it’s relatively easy to unite them. The only time concrete lifting does not work is if the slab is severely cracked. Polyurethane foam does not work like glue, so it cannot repair a slab with multiple, small cracks. 

• How to Avoid Cracking Your Settled Concrete Slab  

You’ll want to avoid replacing your slab as much as possible. To make sure that it can be repaired via concrete lifting methods, you need to avoid cracking it. The first thing you need to do is contact your local professionals as soon as you see any signs of concrete settling. Settling gets worse the longer you wait, so taking action early will save you a lot of money. 

As you wait for the repairs, avoid putting any weight on the slab. When supported by an uneven base, slabs have a harder time distributing weight evenly. They are more likely to crack when settling, so try your best to limit the amount of weight it has to support. This might mean not walking on your concrete pathways and parking your car other than on your driveway. It may be inconvenient to do for a few days, but it’ll be worth it to avoid cracking your concrete.