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Concrete Lifting

Cracked sidewalks, sinking patios, uneven driveways, pool decks, and more! See what concrete lifting can do for you!

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If your concrete is sinking, concrete lifting and stabilization might be the right solution for you. With JES Foundation Repair, you get the best concrete repair experts in the business. Our skilled technicians utilize innovative repair systems, and we offer warranty-backed solutions to all of your concrete problems.


no interest if paid in full within 24 months. interest is billed during promo period but will be waived if the amount financed is paid in full before promo period expires.

Causes of Concrete Damage

Sometimes, the combined weight of concrete and what it supports causes concrete settlement to occur. The soil beneath the concrete compresses and can cause major problems.

Soil washout refers to the erosion of soil due to water running along the topsoil. The water loosens up and displaces the soil’s particles. Said particles are then washed down the slope in the stream of water. 

The reason you should care about soil washout as a homeowner is because the slabs that make up your driveway, patio, pool deck, and walkways are supported by a layer of soil. Even your foundation depends on an even layer of soil in order to stay stable. 

The conditions of the soil on your property will affect how the concrete structures of your home behave. Soil washout displaces the soil that exists under your concrete, essentially removing its base. An uneven base can destabilize concrete structures and cause them to crack and break. Let’s chat more about what causes soil washout, and how it affects your property. 

Award-Winning Service

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Had to have my floor jacked up. Had the crew of Kelvin, Ricardo and George June 5 and 6. They were here on time, friendly, efficient, very …

Had to have my floor jacked up. Had the crew of Kelvin, Ricardo and George June 5 and 6. They were here on time, friendly, efficient, very hard working, did an excellent job. After the job was done went the extra mile to help me out with a problem loosening ball from trailer hitch.

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Justin was very professional excellent job done!

Justin was very professional excellent job done!

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I had basement waterproofing done and JES did great work. They started the job on schedule and finished a day early. Roberto Lemus,…

I had basement waterproofing done and JES did great work. They started the job on schedule and finished a day early. Roberto Lemus, Osman Ochoa and Alejandro Vazquez were fantastic. Roberto kept me informed during the entire process. At the end of every day I was given an update and walk thru. They cleaned up when the entire job was finished. They were a great team and should I need JES again, I would be happy to work with this group. Thank you JES for a great job!!! Shirley Tucker

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We just got out inspection and scheduled all within 30 minutes. PERFECT for our needs. A simple platform correction job and it will be…

We just got out inspection and scheduled all within 30 minutes. PERFECT for our needs. A simple platform correction job and it will be completed within 4 days. Thank You Joe McCullough.

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Chad Edwards has been a pleasure to talk to. He explained everything in detail. Made sure I understood everything. He is a definite asset…

Chad Edwards has been a pleasure to talk to. He explained everything in detail. Made sure I understood everything. He is a definite asset for JES. I honestly have never had a sales person take the time to explain everything so thoroughly. Also very polite and respectful.

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Joseph “Joey” McCullough was excellent in assessing and explaining our crawl space needs.

Joseph “Joey” McCullough was excellent in assessing and explaining our crawl space needs.

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I contracted with JES to have my Foundation repaired a Sump Pump and a full basement Dehumidifier installed. The onsite foreman Mr. Jaime…

I contracted with JES to have my Foundation repaired a Sump Pump and a full basement Dehumidifier installed. The onsite foreman Mr. Jaime Castillo was timely with keeping to the set work schedule JES provided. The work crew, Mr. Noel Larios, Mr. Erik Morales and Mr. Antonio Canales show strong work ethic in preforming their duties. Mr. Castillo explained each step of the job in layman’s terms as they worked. I myself have the habit of asking the same questions repeatedly and the foreman Mr. Castillo would take his time and re-explain the task as they worked. Mr. Canales was also knowledgeable with helping me understand the Sump Pump drainage process.The clean up was excellent paying attention to every detail.

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Andre Williams was extremely thorough and helpful.

Andre Williams was extremely thorough and helpful.

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My inspector Brandon was amazing! He made me feel so at ease about our problems in our basement and I am so excited to get the work done!!…

My inspector Brandon was amazing! He made me feel so at ease about our problems in our basement and I am so excited to get the work done!! I would definitely request Brandon! Very thorough, gave us options and had a ton of financing options!

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Chris Good gave an excellent presentation. Everything was thoroughly explained. I saw plenty of pictures. The background, history, and…

Chris Good gave an excellent presentation. Everything was thoroughly explained. I saw plenty of pictures. The background, history, and future of crawlspace management for my particular home was nicely tailored.

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Start to finish the experience was great with JES. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly during the first home visit. …

Start to finish the experience was great with JES. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly during the first home visit. Expectations were met with timing and permitting process. Work was done quickly and with minimal interruption. Recommended.

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We just moved into our new home and needed some foundation repairs to be done. JES foundation had done some work on the house previously…

We just moved into our new home and needed some foundation repairs to be done. JES foundation had done some work on the house previously but after the foundation inspection it turned out that the house needed additional work on the other side. The lead foundation inspector Rob Tennyson was very honest and clear and worked with us on a comprehensive plan for the foundation work. Once it was time to start doing the work Rob took personal time to come a day before the project to clear out the vegetation that was going to be in the way of the repairs and hauled everything on his personal truck. Top notch customer care. The next day the crew supervised by Rudy Gonzales and lead by Jose Lopez were very professional, punctual, clean and fast. Once the holes had been dug, they found out that our gas line ran too close to the house and could cause danger if they were to proceed any further. Rudy informed me and suggested that we go through our finished basement to complete the installation of the piers. The crew took care of everything and within 3 days all the work had been completed and the entire team (Victorino Joya, Ernosto Castillo, Daniel Yacilo, and Jose Rafael 6) was out of the house. Rudy went out of his way to make sure that there would be no damage to the interior or exterior of my house. Again, fantastic customer service. Highly recommended company!

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Great experience.

Great experience.

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The crew that worked in my basement was polite, respectful, and timely. They also did great work! Highly recommend.

The crew that worked in my basement was polite, respectful, and timely. They also did great work! Highly recommend.

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Chris Dale was excelente, friendly and professional.

Chris Dale was excelente, friendly and professional.

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Hello Everyone – Just wanted to share how fabulous Jeanne is to work with. She is incredibly knowledgeable and very clear in explaining how …

Hello Everyone – Just wanted to share how fabulous Jeanne is to work with. She is incredibly knowledgeable and very clear in explaining how her company can solve your situation. Jeanne and JES Foundation Repair are the company to go to. I highly recommend. Thank you.

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Yesterday we had JES come and fix my sidewalk where it had cracked. We were scheduled for 3-4pm. The field workers were down a guy and the…

Yesterday we had JES come and fix my sidewalk where it had cracked. We were scheduled for 3-4pm. The field workers were down a guy and the jobs ahead of me took longer than planned. By the time TJ King and Carlos Silva got to my house it was already 7pm. I have to say I was amazed at their work ethic. They treated me like I was the first job of the day. They worked without a break and made my sidewalk look perfect. I did not hear one complaint come from either worker the whole time they were here. They left my house sometime after 11:30pm. The only complaint I would have would be with the home office communication (letting clients know that the field team will be late) and the Inspector not communicating how involved the job would be. I will def hire them again.

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Keith,Roberto and Flores were very courteous and got the job done that day. We are very pleased with the work they did. Would highly…

Keith,Roberto and Flores were very courteous and got the job done that day. We are very pleased with the work they did. Would highly recommend them!

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Daquan and Kavin did an awesome job. Easy lift, repair and caulk. Almost looks brand new AND now level and no safety issues.

Daquan and Kavin did an awesome job. Easy lift, repair and caulk. Almost looks brand new AND now level and no safety issues.

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I had foundation issues in my home and contacted Alpha Foundations. Dylan *. and his team came to the rescue. Dylan was very…

I had foundation issues in my home and contacted Alpha Foundations. Dylan *. and his team came to the rescue. Dylan was very professional and explained all procedures before, during and after. In addition, sent photos of all of the work. Nick *., Max *. and Jack *. did an excellent job and thoroughly cleaned up after. Would recommend this team for anyone needing their services.

Is Concrete Lifting the Right Solution For Me?

Concrete lifting is a perfect solution to any concrete issue because it’s fast, painless, and effective. Cracked, uneven concrete is an eyesore and a tripping hazard that can lessen your property value. Concrete stairs are especially important to lifting to avoid causing injury. But the same can be said for sidewalks and driveways.

Because your home’s entire foundation is made of concrete, maintaining it is extremely important. Our skilled crew can evaluate your property and provide solutions. JES also provides FREE, no-obligation home inspections. Contact us today if you want your concrete handled by the region’s best concrete repair experts.

FAQs

If your concrete is flaking off, it’s a sign that something is wrong with the concrete. Concrete doesn’t stay smooth forever, and some flaking is to be expected after a few years. However, you should inform yourself on the kind of flaking it is so that you can get a better understanding of what your concrete is going through and how it could potentially lead to settling.

There are two types of surface deterioration concrete structures go through: pitting and flaking. They are caused by different things though are very similar in terms of appearance. Pay close attention when inspecting your concrete, and you’ll be able to differentiate between the two.

  • Concrete Pitting 

Concrete pitting is caused by problems with the way the concrete was produced or poured. It’s a problem that only shows up after the concrete has finished curing. Concrete pitting means there’s a problem with the structural integrity of the concrete itself. It indicates that the concrete is weak and deteriorates incredibly easily, which means that you have to be careful if you see signs of pitting on a settled slab.

Concrete pitting is defined by small craters that form on the concrete structure. Although the craters are only visible on the surface, if you were to break the slab open, you would see that the craters run deep since the entire concrete is deteriorating. The craters can either appear sporadically across the concrete or, they can clump up and form one big crater that makes it look as if a piece of the concrete has broken off.

  • Concrete Flaking 

Concrete flaking is caused by an external force eroding the surface of the concrete. Freeze-thaw damage is a common cause of flaking since the ice creates micro-tears across the surface of the slab. If the micro-tears become too much, the piece will flake off. Concrete flaking can still happen on slabs that are strong, so it does not indicate that there was a problem with its production. You can tell it’s flaking and not pitting when a big chunk flakes off and you don’t see any craters, indicating that the damage was only surface-level.

Just because flaking can occur on slabs that are strong does not mean it doesn’t affect settling. By deteriorating the surface of the slab, it allows water to seep through to the soil a lot easier, accelerating settling. Plus, a flaking slab does not stay strong for long. As the surface breaks apart, the slab loses its soundness and is likely to break once it begins settling.

Homes can often be difficult to keep up with. Just when you’ve gotten one thing fixed, something else breaks. It’s understandable if you want to put a repair job on the back burner while you try to solve other problems around your home.

You might be wondering just how long you can wait to get that settled slab of yours fixed. However, you might want to bump concrete lifting up your priority list, because it can go from insignificant to consequential in only a matter of days.

  • How Concrete Settling Damages Your Property

Nothing breaks a settling concrete slab faster than a heavy car going over it. Your car can create a pothole in the middle of the slab, effectively ruining it and making repairs very difficult. Not only does having to replace your slab more expensive, but it can also damage the wheels of your car as it goes over the potholes every time you use your driveway.

The more a slab settles, the more damaged your property is. The more damaged a property, the lower its value. Even if you’re looking to sell your home and aren’t interested in repairs because of it, you might want to consider lifting your slab to raise the property value. The longer you wait for the repairs the more expensive it will be.

  • How Concrete Settling Can Be Dangerous 

Part of the reason a property’s value goes down when there’s concrete settling is that it’s a safety hazard. Walking on a settling slab is a risky affair. If it’s not already sunken into the ground, your step can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and brings down the slab as you’re walking on it. There’s nothing scarier than feeling the ground suddenly give out under you, so even if you don’t trip, you’ll get a little scare.

It’s especially dangerous for children and the elderly, as they aren’t able to balance themselves as well to avoid falling. If you want to protect yourself and your family members, you need to contact an expert for concrete lifting solutions as soon as you spot the problem signs.

Things can get complicated for a homeowner once they realize that there are multiple concrete lifting solutions. Polyurethane foam injections, mudjacking, and limestone grout leveling are some of the methods you might come across when wanting information about concrete settling repairs. 

Not all repair methods work in the same way and not all of them are beneficial. There is one method, however, that is better than all the rest in terms of longevity, efficiency, and overall performance. If you want a long-term solution that slows down future settling, choose polyurethane foam injections. 

  • Polyurethane Foam Injections 

Part of the reason polyurethane foam injections work well for your driveway and sidewalk is that it doesn’t place pressure on the soil. Polyurethane foam is a light substance, so it doesn’t displace the soil with its weight. This is important for preventing future settling, especially in your driveway. Driveway slabs have to frequently support heavy loads as cars go in and out of the driveway. 

Another important characteristic unique to polyurethane foam injections is that it doesn’t wash away with time. Given how frequent flooding is in cities like Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, you definitely this material may be ideal for you. Other materials, like the cement slurry used in mudjacking, are short-lived for this reason. There are only so many times you can repair a settling slab, so a solution like polyurethane foam injections goes a long way in saving you money. 

  • How PolyRenewal™ Is Installed  

PolyRenewal™ is a concrete lifting method that utilizes polyurethane foam. The installation is easy and a lot more straightforward than other concrete lifting methods, which are often messier and less reliable. First, concrete dpecialists drill holes the size of pennies into the slab. They inject the polyurethane foam until it fills the gap and lifts the slab. Then the holes are filled back up and covered, and your concrete is left looking like new. 

Installing PolyRenewal™ is something only JES experts can do. If you want a job well done, contact your local experts for professional repair solutions.

Your concrete slab is a lot more likely to break once it begins settling. Concrete is a reliable building material that has excellent compression strength, meaning that it does not lose its volume when under a lot of pressure. Unfortunately, this compression strength comes at the cost of its tensile strength, which is the reason why concrete slabs break when settling.

  • Why It Breaks

Tensile strength refers to a material’s ability to handle pressure. It measures how much tension a structure is able to endure before breaking. If a concrete slab is able to evenly disperse the pressure throughout its body, it will have an easier time handling the weight. However, when slabs settle, they aren’t able to disperse the pressure evenly, causing them to crack.

This is more likely to occur in outdoor slabs that have to support heavy weights frequently. Your driveway is an obvious one, what with your heavy car putting pressure on the slabs whenever you drive in and out. The slabs on your patio are also likely to break if they have to bear the weight of heavy furniture and the people that use them.

  • How To Prevent Breaking Your Concrete 

The more cracks on the slab, the harder it is to repair. Replacing a concrete slab can be an expensive ordeal, and it’s not as convenient as polyurethane foam injection repairs. Because of this, it’s in your best interest to want to preserve your concrete and keep it as intact as you can.

The moment you notice the settling, make sure not to place any weight on the slab or the slabs that surround it. For your driveway, this might mean parking your car elsewhere until the slab can be fixed. For your patio, you might have to remove the furniture or simply avoid sitting on it. Avoid walking on any settled pathways, and make sure to inform your family members of the change so they don’t end up breaking the slab.

Who is in charge of sidewalk repairs—you or the city? Your driveway is no doubt part of your property, but what about the sidewalk? 

  • City Responsibilities 

If it’s considered public property, it is the city’s responsibility to keep the sidewalk repaired and safe so the residents can walk on it without getting injured. Making sidewalks public property benefits the city because it means that they can repair sidewalks without needing the homeowner’s permission. It also means that they can prevent homeowners from tampering with the sidewalk in a way that isn’t beneficial to the members of the community. 

Read up on your city’s municipal code and see if it’s their responsibility to fix the sidewalk. If it is, you’ll need to file a report. However, this doesn’t guarantee that the city will have the resources available for repair.  

  • Homeowner Responsibilities 

Depending on the city municipal code, you might be responsible for your sidewalk repair whether it’s public property or not. Certain cities have codes that state that homeowners are responsible for sidewalk repair. Not keeping up with sidewalk maintenance could result in a fine since there’s a chance that someone in the community could get injured as a result of the unstable slab. 

Most municipal codes state that any homeowner that wants to repair their sidewalk needs to get a permit from the city in order to do so. Sometimes, even when it’s the city’s responsibility to repair the sidewalk, if they lack the resources to do it in a timely manner and you are willing, they might grant you a permit to do it yourself. Once you have that permit, you can contact your local experts.

Why Concrete Lifting Is Needed

uneven concrete in front of house

Increasing Property Value

Having a home with a cracked driveway and a sunken sidewalk can be a deal breaker for potential buyers. Keeping your concrete properly maintained helps maintain your home’s value. In addition to just being an eyesore, cracks in your concrete can cause water to seep through and damage wooden structures and even your foundation.

Cracked concrete before polyrenewal lifting

Limiting Injuries

Damaged concrete can lead to injuries. You can easily trip over uneven concrete slabs and severe cracks. Falling on it is, as you can probably guess, particularly painful. help everyone, especially the elderly in your household, by getting your concrete repaired quickly.

cracks in concrete

Restores Your Yard’s Drainage

Your yard’s natural drainage is designed to send water away from your foundation, but if your concrete is cracked and sinking, the water will expand the soil beneath it. If the concrete is located right by your home, your foundation will only hold up for so long under the weight of all that soil and water before it finally cracks. Lifting your concrete back into proper position with PolyRenewal™, helps send water away from your foundation and back into your yard where it can properly drain away.

Common Concrete Lifting Tips & Mistakes

Tips On Concrete Lifting

  • Stay Vigilant: As part of your home’s maintenance, regularly check for cracks, unevenness, and other structural issues.
  • Don’t Ignore Standing Water. If you see standing water, look for cracks and voids in your concrete. Catch it before it leads to mold, mildew, water damage, and excessive humidity. 
  • Shop Around. Make sure you do your research when looking into concrete lifting and stabilizing. Repair your concrete the right way with qualified, experienced professionals.

Mistakes To Avoid

  • Avoid mudjacking. Polyurethane foam – like PolyRenewal™ — is a lightweight alternative that is made to keep your concrete permanently lifted. It is also less invasive and affordable.
  • Don’t DIY. Concrete lifting is not like other home improvement projects that can be done without specialized tools and skills.  

Providing Expert Concrete Lifting in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia & North Carolina

Pennsylvania trusts JES for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!  

Top Cities We Serve


*Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. JES Foundation Repair does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.

JES Foundation Repair service area map of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Our Locations

Baltimore

8361 Town Center Ct
Nottingham, MD 21236

Fredericksburg

311 Central Rd.
Suite 2-02
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Hampton Roads & NE NC

2569 Quality Ct
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Northern VA & DC

7940 Gainsford Ct.
Bristow, VA 20136

Richmond

309 Quarles Rd
Ashland, VA 23005

Southwest Virginia / Roanoke

2033 Cook Dr.
Salem, VA 24153

Western Virginia

456 Old Courthouse Rd
Appomattox, VA 24522

Winchester

45 W Boscawen St,
Winchester, VA 22601