WHY DO ConcretE SLABS crack, Sink, & Settle UNDER HOMES, Sidewalks, and PATIOS?
Concrete is strong and versatile. It can be poured, shaped, and made into just about anything–but it’s not indestructible. When you see cracked concrete, broken slabs, or a sunken driveway on your property – there could be several factors at play.
TerraFirma can diagnose and fix your concrete concerns.
![tf-cheap-building tf cheap building crack](https://goterrafirma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tf-cheap-building.png)
Poorly compacted soil – When your home was built, the movement of soil around the building site results in poor compaction. Even when the replaced soil is compacted well, it’s never as stable as the original soil. Over time, this can cause voids to form and slabs to settle.
![tf-dry-soil tf dry soil crack](https://goterrafirma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tf-dry-soil.png)
Dry soil – During dry conditions or even just during periods of warm weather and low precipitation, the soil under your concrete will dry out and shrink, creating voids. The concrete above eventually cracks and sinks into these empty spaces.
![tf-water-cracks tf water cracks crack](https://goterrafirma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tf-water-cracks.png)
Flooding – Wet, soft soil caused by flooding is just too weak to support the concrete above it. In the worst case, the soil erodes and washes away completely, leaving behind large voids that cannot support the weight of the concrete above.
![tf-rainwater tf rainwater crack](https://goterrafirma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tf-rainwater.png)
Rainwater or gutter runoff – Runoff from gutters or downspouts can cause soil erosion around the perimeter of your home. As soil erodes, it can create voids beneath concrete surfaces such as driveways, walkways, or patios, causing them to sink or become uneven.
![tf-rotting tf rotting crack](https://goterrafirma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tf-rotting.png)
Rotting tree roots – Decaying tree roots can create voids or channels in the soil. This can exacerbate existing foundation issues and contribute to soil erosion around concrete surfaces, leading to further settlement or instability.
![tf-clogged tf clogged crack](https://goterrafirma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tf-clogged.png)
Clogged gutters – Prolonged exposure to water from overflowing or clogged gutters can saturate the soil around your home’s foundation, causing it to expand and exert pressure against the concrete.
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CONCRETE REPAIR Homeowner Questions
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIFT CONCRETE WITH FOAM?
Repairing settled concrete usually costs about half as much as replacement.
Is concrete crack repair long-lasting?
Yes. Because it is silicone-based, not urethane-based, NexusPro won’t degrade over time, even when exposed to UV radiation and extreme temperatures. This ensures that it remains flexible and waterproof for years.
My concrete seems to have moved up during the winter months, is this a problem?
If your concrete has shifted up during the winter months, it is most likely heaved from the frozen dirt below the concrete. This is normal, and usually, the concrete will return to normal once the ground thaws. If it doesn’t return to its normal position in the spring, you may want to have one of our experts take a look to determine if a permanent solution is necessary.
Is concrete repair more cost-effective than concrete replacement?
Yes. Concrete leveling with PolyLevel is not only less expensive than full concrete replacement, it’s also a much quicker repair process and far less disruptive. There’s almost no wait time for the concrete to cure before you can walk or drive on it, and unlike concrete replacement, PolyLevel actually fills voids and compacts underlying soil.
Can you repair cracked concrete after going through concrete leveling?
Yes. In fact, we recommend that our TerraFirma Concrete Leveling customers seal the cracks and joints of their newly lifted concrete with our NexusPro solution, as it will help protect their concrete for many years to come.
My concrete seems to have settled over the winter. What should I do?
Your concrete most likely didn’t settle, but instead, the adjacent concrete slabs heaved upwards, due to the frozen dirt below. There is nothing that can be done, but wait for the ground to thaw and the concrete to return to its original position. If the concrete doesn’t return to its normal position in the spring, you may want to have one of our experts take a look to determine if a permanent solution is necessary.