Skip to Main Content

Why Concrete Sinks and How To Lift It

If concrete around your home is sinking, you might be wondering why it’s happening and how to fix it.

In short, what’s likely happening is that the weather is eroding the soil beneath your concrete, and the weight of your concrete is dragging it deeper into the ground. Because concrete isn’t flexible, it cracks and looks ugly.

The negative result of all this is a major hit to your property value.

At Tar Heel Basement Systems, we use PolyRenewal™, a polyurethane foam injection to quickly and effortlessly lift and level concrete. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into the causes of your sinking concrete and what you can do about it.

Why Concrete Sinks

void under concrete sidewalk

Over time, the concrete structures around your home will inevitably begin to sink. Simply put, the causes of sinking concrete have to do with local weather, soil composition, the weight of the concrete itself, and just how much you use your concrete.

In specific terms, here’s why it sinks:

  • Soil consistency matters. Soils that “congeals” versus looser ones determine how well they will hold up under the weight of concrete and also how well they interact with water. For example, clay soil expands when wet and shrinks when dry while sandier soils are more prone to washing out, both of which lead to sinking concrete.
  • Repeated soil expansion due to moisture and temperature changes, can weaken the soil and cause it to compact under the weight of concrete, leading to visible damage.
  • Soil Washout or erosion from underneath concrete slabs is more likely in sandy soil and can lead to hollow spots under the concrete.
  • Droughts shrink the soil around and underneath your concrete
  • Excess rain and poor drainage often contribute to soil washout.
  • Invasive tree roots can displace soil beneath concrete.
  • Excessive weight from cars or heavy décor can compact already weak soil, exacerbating the problem.
  • Improper soil preparation before pouring the concrete can result in the soil washing out earlier.
  • Improperly poured or mixed concrete during construction can compromise the durability of the concrete itself.

When It’s Time to Lift Concrete

It’s more than just an eyesore if your driveway, pool deck, or sidewalk is sunken, cracked, or uneven. If left untreated, your concrete can become a dangerous hazard, resulting in trips and falls.

floor crack gap settling
  • Cracked Concrete: Cracks in your porch, driveway, or sidewalk can signal soil shrinkage, compaction, or settling. Weather, water, or soil type changes can cause shifts in the earth, leading to cracks in the concrete.
  • Uneven Concrete Slabs: Unstable soil can cause concrete slabs to move, collapse, sink, or bulge. This creates uneven surfaces that can be unsafe. Excess pressure on these slabs should be avoided to prevent further damage or injury.
  • Hollow Sounds Under Concrete Slabs: A hollow sound when tapping on a concrete slab can mean soil issues. This sound usually indicates the presence of voids between the slab and the soil.
  • More Frequent Water Puddles: Soil that has shrunk, compacted, or settled may not absorb water well, causing puddling around concrete or dampness nearby. If stepping on concrete pavement brings water to the surface, it’s a sign that action is needed.

This is why it is so important to lift and stabilize your sunken or damaged concrete. So, if you notice cracks in your concrete, unevenness, and especially sunken slabs, then it is time to consider hiring a professional to lift your concrete.

What You Need to Lift Concrete

crew installing polyurethane foam for concrete lifting

To repair damaged concrete, PolyRenewal™ is an effective solution. It stabilizes and levels the concrete, and due to its quick curing time, it also reinforces the slabs against heavy loads. PolyRenewal™ Injection Foam is lightweight yet strong, combating soil compaction and settlement. It’s waterproof and cures in just 15 minutes, providing a durable solution not affected by the elements that cause soil issues.

While mudjacking is sometimes suggested as a fix for soil-related issues, it’s a temporary measure that may exacerbate the problem. Mudjacking uses a mortar-based mixture which adds more weight to the soil, increasing the risk of soil compaction and settlement. PolyRenewal™ Injection Foam is a more efficient and versatile option for treating your concrete.

How to Lift and Level Sinking Concrete

crew injecting polyurethane for concrete lifting

PolyRenewal™ is a polyurethane foam that is injected into specific areas of the concrete to fill any voids between the concrete and the soil underneath. This foam cures in just 15 minutes, effectively raising your concrete and allowing you to use your driveway, sidewalk, or pool deck again. This method is quicker and less invasive than alternatives like mudjacking or slab replacement, and it’s barely noticeable that any work has been done.

The complete process of our polyurethane injection involves:

  • Penny-sized holes are drilled in the sunken concrete slabs.
  • Injection ports are inserted into the holes.
  • Polyurethane foam is injected into the hole where it will spread to fill voids.
  • The foam cures in 15 minutes.
  • The injection ports are then sealed and smoothed over.

Call Tar Heel Basement Systems for a Free Estimate!

Ignoring damage like sinking or cracked concrete around your house may seem tempting, but it won’t resolve with time. It’s crucial to address these issues promptly and correctly. Professionals like the Tar Heel team, with over 20 years of experience in lifting and stabilizing concrete, can help ensure your property’s safety. Contact us for a free, no-obligation inspection and repair estimate.

Concrete Lifting FAQs

We do not recommend lifting your damaged concrete on your own, as there are many things in play that can go wrong.  

With our PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting method, skilled technicians are trained to use all the tools involved to ensure your concrete lifts properly, such as injection guns and specialized polyurethane foam. 

The answer depends on how severe the cracks are. If they are minor cracks, lifting the concrete can help reduce their appearance.  

Plus, the concrete can even be lifted enough to eliminate a minor crack or cracks. However, if the crack is too severe, then the only way to fix it would be to completely replace the concrete.  

Unlike older concrete lifting methods like mudjacking, our polyurethane foam solution is designed to be a less invasive  fix to lifting your home’s concrete.  

The polyurethane foam is designed to last, filling voids and keeping your concrete elevated. This ensures that your concrete remains level for years to come.  

Michael Wilcher

Michael Wilcher

Michael Wilcher is the Content Lead at Groundworks, helping us to answer all of our customers biggest questions about foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete lifting. In his free time, Michael enjoys collecting vinyl records, watching Formula 1 Racing, and reading philosophy. He holds an MPhil from the University of Cambridge.

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

Publish Date:

Last Modified Date:

TarHeel Basement Systems Service Map

Our Locations

Fayetteville Location

3400 Walsh Pky, Suite 220
Fayetteville, NC 28311

Greensboro Location

611 Summit Ave, Suite 5
Greensboro, NC 27405

North Raleigh

208 Millbrook Rd. Suite C
Raleigh, NC 27609

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill Location

3333 Air Park Road
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Wilmington Location

2155 Enterprise Dr. NE
Leland, NC 28451

Winston-salem / High Point Location

2910 Griffith Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27103