The Dangers of Honeycomb Concrete

Concrete structures like driveways and sidewalks can naturally deteriorate over time due to water intrusion, soil movement, and other factors. However, sometimes damage is the fault of the contractor that laid down the concrete in the first place.
Honeycomb concrete, also known as “rock pockets,” is a structural flaw that forms in concrete due to shortcomings during the construction process. Over time, these defects can weaken the material, leading to cracks, settlement, or even collapse.
Learn more about this problem, how to fix it, and why you need a concrete lifting specialist like Groundworks.
What Is Honeycomb Concrete?

Honeycomb concrete is a defect caused by air pockets or voids that usually happens when the material isn’t poured or mixed correctly. You might see honeycomb concrete, known for its honeycomb-like appearance, in one or two locations on concrete or across the entire surface.
Unfortunately, honeycomb concrete can cause the following problems:
- Weakened concrete: Air pockets and voids in concrete can damage the material by reducing its strength, potentially jeopardizing the structural stability of structures like driveways and porches. In the worst-case scenario, structures can collapse due to their lack of stability.
- Water intrusion: Water can enter concrete through air pockets and gaps and corrode the steel that reinforces it. When this happens, the steel can rust, reducing its ability to support the concrete.
- Ongoing deterioration: Honeycomb concrete is more susceptible to environmental damage over time, especially in areas with extreme weather conditions like Salt Lake City.
What Causes Honeycomb Concrete?
Honeycomb concrete develops during the construction process for these reasons:
- Pouring concrete too fast: If a contractor pours concrete too quickly, it might not settle correctly, eventually causing air gaps to form.
- Dry or incorrectly mixed concrete: Air gaps can also appear if the concrete mixture is dry or not mixed properly.
- Incorrect compaction: A contractor can compact concrete using various methods, including vibration-based compaction. If concrete isn’t properly vibrated, it can lead to air gaps and other issues.
- Poor-quality materials: Inferior cement and other materials can make it more difficult to compact concrete, with air gaps potentially forming as a result.
To avoid honeycomb concrete in the future, always work with an experienced contractor.
How To Fix Honeycomb Concrete
The good news is that it’s possible to repair honeycomb concrete and restore your concrete structures. One way to do this is to use a concrete patching compound, which may fill surface-level voids, cracks, and other damaged areas in the material. You can find this product in your local hardware store.

For more extensive concrete damage, we recommend polyurethane foam, which fills deeper and larger voids with minimum effort. Groundworks can inject this foam into your concrete, restoring slabs and structures to their original condition. Our PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam cures in just 15 minutes, won’t wash away, and won’t damage your landscaping or the environment. It can also support heavy loads and weighs just 4 lbs. per cubic ft.
Here’s how we tackle honeycomb concrete:
- Drilling small holes into concrete
- Inserting injection ports into the holes
- Injecting the foam into the holes and waiting for it to expand and fill voids
- Removing the injection ports and sealing and smoothing the holes, leaving no visible signs of repair
Fixing Honeycomb Concrete With Groundworks

Honeycomb concrete or rock pockets are a problem you’ll want to address as soon as you can. Otherwise, you risk long-term damage to your concrete that might threaten your home’s safety.
Serving Salt Lake City and surrounding communities, Groundworks tackles honeycomb concrete with our industry-leading polyurethane foam.
Honeycomb Concrete FAQs
Cracks wider than 1/8 inch, uneven slabs, or recurring cracks often indicate underlying issues like soil settlement or foundation problems.
Yes, improper DIY repairs can worsen cracks by trapping moisture or failing to address the root cause, leading to more extensive damage.
Uneven or sunken concrete can result from soil settling, erosion, or insufficient support beneath the slab.