Top 3 Ways to Fix Sinking Concrete Steps
You see them every day—sinking concrete steps on your porch, around your property, or at office buildings. Damaged steps pose safety risks and aesthetic concerns that cannot be ignored. Whether the damage has been there for a while or is just beginning, addressing the issue sooner rather than later is essential for safety.
This page outlines three concrete lifting methods that address sinking steps. Let’s get started.
How to Repair Sinking Concrete Steps
Repairing concrete steps begins with identifying the causes and determining the most effective repair method. Several concrete lifting methods are available, but the technique used depends on the damage and other factors. We list the three most common concrete repair methods below.
1. Polyurethane Foam Injection
Polyurethane foam injection is a modern technique that addresses sinking concrete. The process involves lifting the steps and sealing gaps and cracks to prevent further damage.
What is the Polyurethane Foam Process?
The polyurethane foam concrete lifting process involves several steps to achieve optimal results. These steps involve:
- Step 1: Drill small holes into the sinking concrete and insert injection ports.
- Step 2: Mix the non-toxic two-part liquid polymer.
- Step 3: Inject the lightweight waterproof foam into the holes beneath the slab.
- Step 4: The foam expands and fills the voids, lifting the slab.
- Step 5: Remove the ports and seal the holes for a seamless finish.
What Are the Benefits of Polyurethane Foam?
Polyurethane concrete lifting foam has many benefits, including:
- Fast Curing Time: The foam cures within 15 minutes, allowing the steps and other treated concrete areas to be used the same day.
- Durability: Polyurethane foam is non-toxic, waterproof, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, ensuring long-term durability.
- Soil Stabilization: As the foam expands, it compacts the soil beneath, providing strong and stable support for the concrete.
- Minimally Invasive: Polyurethane foam is less invasive to your property and landscaping than other repair methods like mudjacking and slab replacement.
Polyurethane foam concrete lifting is long-term and cost-effective because it addresses the underlying cause of damage and prevents future complications.
2. Mudjacking
Mudjacking is a traditional method for addressing sinking concrete. Like polyurethane foam, it involves concrete lifting; however, there are a few key differences. Here’s how it works:
What is the Mudjacking Process?
Mudjacking involves drilling holes and injecting a dense slurry mix of mud, sand, and concrete beneath the slab. This slurry lifts the concrete and addresses sinking and uneven surfaces. However, mudjacking requires more time to complete and cure than polyurethane foam and is more disruptive to surrounding landscaping. Mudjacking does not solve underlying soil issues, making it an often temporary solution for concrete damage.
3. Foundation Piers
Foundation piers may be required in severe cases where foundation issues cause sinking steps.
- Helical Piers: Large, screw-like piers installed deep into the ground, providing stability to the foundation and the steps. Helical piers are ideal in unstable or poor soil conditions.
- Push Piers: Also known as hydraulic jacks, these piers are pushed into the ground using hydraulic pressure. They are used in limited-access areas or those with firm soil conditions.
- Slab Piers: These are installed by drilling holes, inserting the piers, and securing them with concrete. Slab piers stabilize sinking slabs and prevent further settlement.
Choosing the proper repair method depends on the severity of the damage, soil conditions, and overall structural integrity. Foundation repair experts can assess your home or property and recommend the most effective solution tailored to your needs.
Why Do Concrete Steps Pull Away From a House?
Concrete steps pull away from a house due to soil conditions and external factors. These factors include:
- Poor Soil Compaction: Improper soil compaction during initial home construction can cause uneven settlement and shift over time.
- Washout and Erosion: Excess water from clogged downspouts, leaky gutters, or improper drainage can cause soil erosion that contributes to concrete pulling away from a house.
- Expansive Soil: Clay-rich expansive soil expands when wet and contracts when dry. This movement can cause steps to pull away from the main structure.
- Construction Mistakes: Improperly mixed, poured, or cured concrete is more prone to settling and cracking, and low-quality materials also cause weakness.
Why is Concrete Step Repair Important?
Concrete step repair maintains your property’s safety, aesthetics, and value. Left untreated, damaged steps become a safety hazard, leading to further structural issues. A professional concrete inspection is the first step in determining the appropriate repairs.
Concrete repair experts assess the soil, check for drainage problems, and inspect the concrete for cracks and damage. An evaluation ensures the underlying cause, not just the symptoms, is addressed.
How Much Does Concrete Lifting Cost?
Concrete lifting costs vary depending on several factors, including the extent of settlement, the area’s size, soil conditions, and the chosen repair method. Homeowners usually spend between $900 and $2,400 for concrete lifting, depending on the severity of the issue and the area’s size.
Contact Groundworks for a free inspection and to determine your exact project cost. Our Certified Field Inspectors will evaluate the area and recommend an affordable solution for your needs and budget.
How to Prevent Concrete Step Damage
Preventing sinking and other concrete damage requires regular maintenance and inspections. It also relies on the following:
- Ensure Proper Drainage: Ensure downspouts direct rainwater away from the steps. Regularly clean gutters to prevent water buildup near the foundation.
- Avoid Excessive Weight: Avoid placing heavy objects on the steps, which contributes to uneven settling.
- Prevent Chemical Exposure: Chemicals like de-icing salts damage concrete. Minimize exposure by using alternative de-icing methods or washing away salts promptly.
- Inspect the Area: Periodically inspect concrete for signs of settling or cracking so you can address issues before they worsen.
Concrete Lifting vs. Concrete Leveling: What’s the Difference?
The terms “concrete lifting” and “concrete leveling” are often used interchangeably because both describe filling voids beneath concrete slabs to restore their level position. However, in most cases, concrete isn’t perfectly level; it’s often angled or sloped to allow for proper water drainage. This applies to indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces.
The term “leveling” suggests the concrete will become perfectly flat, which isn’t always true. So, we prefer to use the term “concrete lifting.” Keep this terminology in mind when considering professional concrete repair services.
Contact Groundworks for a Free Concrete Step Inspection
Sinking steps can cause significant issues, but with the right solution, damage can be repaired effectively and affordably. At Groundworks, we offer free comprehensive concrete inspections. Our highly-trained experts are here to help, taking the process one step at a time to ensure a safe and secure repair.
Contact us today for a free inspection and affordable financing options. Let us provide you with a tailored, long-lasting solution you can trust.
Concrete Lifting FAQs
PolyRenewal concrete lifting is a permanent solution for uneven, sinking concrete. The eco-friendly polyurethane foam gently lifts slabs, fills gaps, and stabilizes the soil beneath, providing a reliable and lasting solution for your home.
The effectiveness of concrete lifting in repairing cracks varies based on the severity of the damage. For minor cracks, the lifting process can significantly diminish their visibility. In some cases, the elevation of the concrete may be sufficient to completely close small cracks.
However, when dealing with extensive or severe cracks, lifting alone may not be adequate. In such instances, complete replacement of the concrete section might be the only viable solution to fully address the problem.
The concrete lifting process is one of the most effective that you can use for your home. It’s common for people to turn to concrete lifting once they notice that one or more of the concrete slabs in their home has started to sink. Why is this so much more effective than some other methods of managing concrete problems?
- Handles the Base Problem
First and foremost, the concrete lifting process manages the main problem. Concrete lifting works because, unlike ignoring the problem or even just repouring the concrete, it tackles the base problem. The problem is that the concrete is falling over and over again. Therefore, you need to lift from the bottom underneath.
Often concrete slabs sink because the expansive soil below them has contracted, leaving a void behind. Concrete lifting processed address this by providing the slab with proper support and filling this void. This prevents the gap from becoming an incubator for damp and restores the concrete slab to its original place.
- Stabilizes Your Concrete Overall
If you use polyurethane foam injections to stabilize and strengthen the soil underneath the concrete, you’re not going to have recurring concrete falling problems. It’s important to remember that concrete lifting isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. Still, it can certainly help you with a variety of issues you might be having with your concrete.
Sometimes sinking concrete is caused by soil that is incapable of bearing the weight of the concrete. Certain concrete lifting procedures can address this by using lightweight and durable polyurethane foam to lift and support the concrete without putting too much strain on the already unstable soil below.
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Shaye Glisson
Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Groundworks does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.