Irving Foundation Repair Pros connects homeowners and property managers who need concrete leveling in Irving, TX with an independent local company that raises sunken flatwork.
When a driveway panel, walkway or patio sinks, it creates a trip hazard and can send rainwater back toward the house. Concrete leveling raises the sunken slab instead of tearing it out and pouring new concrete.
Two Common Methods
- Slab jacking (mudjacking): small holes are drilled through the slab, and a cement-based slurry is pumped underneath to float it back up.
- Foam leveling (polyjacking): an expanding polyurethane foam is injected through smaller holes. The foam is lighter and cures quickly.
Both methods fill the void under the slab and lift it. Holes are patched afterward.
Where Leveling Works
- Driveway panels that have dropped at the joints
- Sidewalks and walkways with trip edges
- Patios and porches that slope toward the house
- Garage floors that have settled at the door
- Pool decks with uneven panels
When Replacement Is Better
Leveling works best on slabs that are in one piece. A slab broken into many pieces, crumbling concrete or a slab that keeps sinking because of a bigger drainage problem may be better replaced. Ask the contractor to explain which applies to yours.
Why It Matters for the Foundation
A patio or walkway that slopes toward the house sends water against the slab. On Irving's clay, that extra water can feed foundation movement. Correcting the slope, together with good drainage, protects the foundation as well as the flatwork.
Cost
Angi's cost guide lists mudjacking or slab jacking at about $500 to $1,300. Foam leveling is usually priced differently, and the total depends on how much material goes under the slab.
What to Ask
- Slurry or foam, and why for this job?
- How many holes, and how will they be patched?
- What caused the slab to sink, and will it happen again?
- How soon can the driveway or walkway be used?
Slurry or Foam: Questions That Decide It
The choice between a cement-based slurry and a polyurethane foam usually comes down to a few questions. How big is the void under the slab, and is it still growing? Foam is light and cures fast, so a driveway can often be used soon after. Slurry is heavier and needs more time, but it fills large voids with material similar to the base it replaces. Neither will hold if water keeps washing soil out from under the slab, so ask the contractor what caused the void and whether a downspout, sprinkler head or gutter needs to be moved first.
Common questions
How long does concrete leveling last?
It depends on what caused the sinking. If water keeps washing soil out from under the slab, it can sink again. Fixing drainage helps the repair last.
Is foam better than mudjacking?
Polyurethane foam goes in through smaller holes and weighs less; mudjacking slurry is heavier and usually cheaper. Each has its place. Ask the contractor why they recommend one.
Can a sunken patio cause foundation problems?
If it slopes toward the house, it can send water against the slab. On clay soil, that can contribute to movement.
Can a cracked driveway panel still be leveled?
If the panel is cracked but still in large pieces, it can often be lifted. Many small broken pieces, or concrete that is crumbling, usually needs replacement instead.
Will the patch holes show?
The holes are patched with cement and usually remain visible as small circles, though they fade over time. Foam leveling uses smaller holes than slab jacking.