Sinking Concrete Steps

What Are Sinking Concrete Steps? 

You may also notice similar concrete problems around your property, including: 

• Cracked concrete 
• Sinking porch 
• Cracked concrete patio 
• Cracked sidewalks 
• Cracked driveway 
• Cracked pool deck 
• Concrete pitting, flaking, and staining 

Sunken concrete stairs pose significant tripping hazards and impact your home’s appearance. If left unaddressed, continued deterioration can eventually lead to staircase failure, making timely and professional intervention by companies like JES Foundation Repair crucial. 

What Causes Sinking Concrete Steps? 

There are several causes of sinking concrete steps, including: 

• Settling Soil: When the soil underneath your stairs compacts, shifts, or sinks, it causes the concrete above to settle and crack. This is common with expansive soils high in clay content. 
• Eroding Soil: Water flowing under or against the stairs will erode and wash away the supporting soil. This undermines the integrity of the concrete. 
• Tree Roots: As tree roots grow, they shift the underlying soil and can lift and crack concrete from underneath by exerting upward pressure. 
• Excessive Rain and Flooding: Chronic moisture exposure—from heavy rain, flooding, and snowmelt—softens the soil and leads to erosion under the stairs. 
• Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Water that seeps into existing cracks, then freezes and thaws, will expand those cracks with each cycle. 
• Substandard Concrete Work: Weak concrete that wasn’t adequately prepared or had problems during the curing process is prone to cracking and sinking over time. 

Importantly, these factors impacting the steps also endanger your home’s foundation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions from specialists like JES Foundation Repair. 

Can You Fix Sinking Concrete Steps? 

Yes, fixing sinking concrete steps is entirely feasible. However, employing partial or makeshift solutions will not suffice in the long run. DIY quick fixes and traditional methods like mudjacking are temporary and quickly become expensive, time-consuming, and ineffective. 

A holistic approach is imperative to address the visible damage and underlying issues affecting the home’s overall structural integrity. JES Foundation Repair offers comprehensive solutions, ensuring every aspect of the problem is meticulously addressed, providing lasting respite from recurring damage. 

The most effective solution is a process called concrete lifting. This involves injecting high-density polyurethane foam underneath the concrete to gently raise and stabilize each slab back into position. The foam quickly expands and cures within 15 minutes. 

Depending on the extent of the damage, other specialized foundation repairs, such as foundation piers, may be used in the repair process. 

How to Fix Sinking Concrete Steps 

At JES Foundation Repair, we use an advanced concrete lifting technique called SettleStop™ PolyRenewal™ to safely restore sinking concrete steps. Our comprehensive process includes: 

• Assessment: We complete a detailed inspection to identify the extent, causes of the damage, and repair plan. 
• Drill Holes: We drill small holes—the size of a penny—into the affected concrete. 
• Position Ports: We place injection ports into the holes before installation. 
• Mix Foam: We mix the specialized two-part polyurethane foam together. 
• Inject Foam: We inject the high-density foam underneath the affected concrete. 
• Lift Steps: The foam fills voids between the concrete steps and the soil. As it cures, it gently lifts the sunken sections. 
• Fill Holes: Once the steps are stable, we fill the drilled holes for a smooth finish. 
• Fill Cracks: We also fill and repair any cracks to prevent future damage. 
• Maintain Safety: We offer various service and maintenance programs to ensure stability and longevity. 

Our proprietary concrete lifting foam is customized and engineered specifically to address your home’s unique conditions. Unlike DIY fixes, PolyRenewal™ provides a long-term solution to safely lift and stabilize sinking concrete stairs. 

Why Address Sinking Concrete Steps Now 

It’s important to address sinking concrete steps promptly for several reasons: 

• Preventing Further Damage: Leaving the stairs unrepaired leads to accelerated deterioration as water seeps into widening cracks. Quick action staves off further problems. 
• Avoiding Foundation Problems: Similarly, settling soil under the steps often indicates foundation instability requiring urgent attention. Early repairs protect your foundation. 
• Ensuring Safety: Sinking, uneven stairs significantly increase fall and injury risks for you, your family, and guests. Concrete lifting rectifies tripping hazards and structural instabilities. 
• Preserving Property Value: Sunken, cracked stairs are an eyesore affecting your home’s aesthetics and curb appeal. Reliable repairs maintain and enhance the aesthetic and structural value of the property. 
• Finding A Lasting Solution: Our concrete lifting repairs are covered by comprehensive warranties, giving you peace of mind. Act now to stop damage before repairs become costlier. 

Remain proactive by having JES Foundation Repair inspect and restore your sinking concrete steps. Our expert PolyRenewal™ service provides a safe, reliable, and lasting solution. 

Contact JES Foundation Repair for Reliable Concrete Lifting Solutions 

Resources

How Concrete Lifting Works

Polyurethane foam injection is both lightweight and durable, and is able to support and lift sunken concrete without any extra added weight.

Concrete Repair Methods

When it comes to concrete repair methods there are a few options available to homeowners, but polyurethane foam injection out performs traditional repair methods such as mudjacking and concrete replacement.

How to Repair Large Cracks in the Driveway

There are several ways you can fix large cracks in your driveway. However, if they keep resurfacing, it’s best to contact the professionals as soon as possible.

_{*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.}