Concrete is a versatile and affordable material that can be found in abundance in suburban settings. Many concrete products are designed to withstand the test of time, but some concrete structures have the potential to settle over time.

The ground beneath the structure can become more compact with age, allowing the concrete structure to sink in certain areas. An uneven concrete surface can pose a real problem, so lifting sections of concrete to restore a level surface is important.

1. Why Does Concrete Settle?

The soil beneath your concrete structure plays a direct role in determining how level the concrete surface remains over time. Soil compaction is not the only factor that can affect the rate at which concrete settles. Water that seeps into the ground can wreak havoc on the stability of the soil.

Exposure to flood waters or excessive moisture could cause some of the soil supporting your concrete structure to wash away. The structure will begin to sink into the ground in the areas where water has washed away significant amounts of soil.

It's important that you have a functional drainage system in place to help prevent water from damaging your concrete over time.

2. Why Is Settled Concrete a Concern?

The settling of a concrete structure might not seem like it would be a serious cause for concern, but the uneven surface of the settled concrete has the potential to cause serious problems. An uneven floor can create safety hazards for warehouses or manufacturing facilities.

Employees might trip over exposed cracks, and the wheels of forklifts and other equipment could have a hard time navigating an uneven concrete floor properly. Settled concrete is always something that needs to be taken seriously and repaired as quickly as possible to avoid further damage.

3. How Is Settled Concrete Repaired?

Once you have determined that you need to repair your settled concrete surface, you have a few options. You could rip out the entire concrete floor, bring in topsoil to level out the ground, and then pour new concrete. This option can take a significant amount of time and money to complete. A more affordable and faster option is concrete lifting.

Concrete lifting requires that small holes be drilled into the surface of your settled concrete. A specialized filler grout is then inserted into the holes and penetrates the soil beneath the concrete slab. The grout fills in any voids within the soil, helping to strengthen the ground below your concrete and lift settled areas so that they are level once again.

For more information on concrete lifting, contact a concrete contractor.