Water underneath concrete can cause problems that aren’t always visible right away. When water moves through the soil beneath a driveway, sidewalk, patio, or set of steps, it can wash away soil and create empty spaces beneath the slab.
As these spaces grow, the concrete can lose the support it needs. This may eventually lead to sinking, uneven surfaces, cracks, or changes in how water drains across the concrete.
How Water Can Cause Concrete to Sink
Concrete depends on the soil beneath it for stability. When water repeatedly flows underneath a slab, it can move soil and create voids between the ground and the concrete. Without proper support, sections of the slab can settle into these empty spaces.
You may notice one section of your driveway sitting lower than another, a sidewalk becoming uneven, or gaps appearing along the edges of a patio. Standing water near your concrete can also be a warning sign that drainage or soil conditions are affecting the slab.
Freeze-thaw cycles can add to the problem. When water freezes, it expands and can move the soil beneath the concrete. Repeated freezing and thawing can contribute to shifting and settlement over time.
Ignoring these issues can allow the concrete to continue moving. What starts as a small low spot can eventually become a larger uneven area or a potential trip hazard.
Signs Your Concrete May Have Voids Beneath It
You don’t always need to see a large crack to know something is wrong beneath your concrete. Uneven sections, sinking edges, gaps along the slab, and changes in surface slope can all point to problems below.
Pay attention to areas where water collects after rainfall. If water consistently pools around or beneath a concrete slab, it may continue to affect the soil and create additional voids.
These problems can occur with driveways, sidewalks, patios, steps, and other concrete surfaces throughout Missouri, USA. Having the area evaluated can help determine whether the slab can be lifted and leveled before the problem becomes more extensive.
How Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Can Help
A sunken concrete slab does not always need to be demolished and replaced. Polyurethane concrete lifting can provide a less disruptive way to address the voids beneath an existing slab.
The Concrete Lifter drills small holes into the concrete and injects polyurethane material beneath the surface. The material expands into the empty spaces, helping fill voids and raise the concrete back toward its original position.
The process avoids the demolition and disposal involved with traditional concrete replacement. The injection holes are also only about 5/16 of an inch in diameter, leaving minimal visible evidence of the repair.
Polyurethane is lightweight, waterproof, and unaffected by freeze-thaw cycles. It also cures quickly, allowing the treated area to be used again within a short period of time.
Why Repairing Sunken Concrete Can Make Sense
Replacing concrete can involve demolition, removal, disposal, new materials, and significant disruption to your property. Concrete lifting takes a different approach by working with the existing slab.
By filling the voids and lifting the concrete, polyurethane can restore the surface without tearing out the entire area. The process also creates minimal disruption to surrounding landscaping and can be completed much faster than traditional replacement.
For homeowners and businesses in Missouri, USA, concrete lifting can be a practical option when an existing slab is structurally suitable for lifting.
If you have sinking or uneven concrete in the Springfield, MO area, The Concrete Lifter can inspect the problem and determine whether polyurethane concrete lifting is a good option.