Concrete leveling is a cheap way to restore and fit settled or sunken concrete. Instead of facilitating an entire concrete replacement, property owners can have their concrete returned to a level and safe position within a few hours.

Concrete leveling has many benefits to property owners when done correctly. Levelers are used to create flat, smooth, and even surfaces, but you must choose the best individuals for perfection. Concrete leveling can be done for several reasons, like enhancing concrete appearance and fixing drainage issues.

This process is relatively simple; anybody can do it without the proper knowledge or tools. This process has a few steps, but using a power trowel is the most common. However, it would help if you first eliminated all dirt and debris from the area before leveling the concrete.

Next, property owners should wet the concrete to make it damp before putting the power trowel over the concrete. Below, we discuss what is concrete leveling.

How Does Concrete Leveling Work 

All concrete leveling methods feature any of the following steps;

• Holes that are put through the slabs surrounding the affected area
• A leveling substance is placed under the slab or through the holes
• The drill holes are eliminated after the site becomes level.

Even though it is technically possible to carry out this procedure yourself, it is not advisable, as you might miss some essential steps. This process is quite complex, requiring specific equipment and the know-how to use them.

You are not advised to carry this procedure out if you are not familiar with it, as it might result in extensive damage, or you might injure yourself. Also, your result might not be as good as that of an experienced leveler, making hiring one better.

These experts have the necessary equipment to complete this process and will quickly complete the task. Concrete leveling companies are readily available and will soon get your property back to its best state.

Alternative Options to Concrete Leveling 

There are different solutions needed when fixing your damaged concrete, and the most common include the following;

Mudjacking

This is an old-fashioned but popular method to level concrete. Mudjacking entails drilling holes in the concrete slab before mud or cement is put beneath it to lift the slab. However, one of this method’s most common disadvantages is its messy, high-pressure grout.

The cement mixture might also come out from the holes with time, causing a significant issue that might be hard to solve. This process also requires all holes to be cored to clarify that a repair occurred.

Also, the cement slurry used in mud jacking is heavy and puts massive weight on the supporting soil. The extra weight worsens the issue, and the cement takes several days to dry.

The main benefits of mud jacking include the following; 

• It is among the cheapest options
• It does not need heavy tools or personnel
• It has a lengthy lifespan
• Works for steps, patios, and walkways.

Its disadvantages include;

• It takes over two days to dry
• Drilling big holes might damage the slab
• Heavy material is used and can accelerate the sinking
• It is not fit for garage doors and driveways.

Concrete Replacement 

The existing slabs should be eliminated before the concrete is replaced. A jackhammer mainly damages the slab before the chunks are put away. All floor coverings, home furnishings, and partition walls are removed in interior slabs before work commences.

A new floor is poured and allowed to dry for at least three weeks. The interior walls are then rebuilt, floorings installed, and furnishings readjusted. This option is costly and disruptive but will solve your issue for once.

Also, the new slab might have a different color than the house walls, creating an eye sore.

Poly Leveling 

Poly leveling is another common technique for putting tiny holes in the slab. However, polyurethane is placed in a hollow substance instead of mud and cement. This method is widely known as slab jacking.

The main benefits of this process include the following;

• It has a lengthy lifespan
• It does not need heavy tools
• It requires pretty small holes
• The waterproof foam is highly lightweight
• It is ideal for basements, garage floors, and pools.

However, its main cons are;

• It is more expensive than mud jacking
• The entry points might have a different color
• It does not repair heavily damaged slabs.

What Tools Do You Need?

You will require a power trowel and screed machine for you to have a level slab. Numerous types of concrete machines exist, like power screed and roller screed. A roller screed levels huge concrete areas and features a big blade attached to the drum; its primary function is to make the slab smooth and long-lasting.

The power screed is almost similar but features a vibrating blade to level the slab perfectly. This equipment can be rented from a nearby store at affordable rates. It is crucial to note that the machine used for various leveling projects differs.

The first step when leveling concrete is eliminating any surrounding debris and wetting the concrete. The power trowel should then be moved around the concrete surface after it becomes wet and held at an angle to make the blades concrete.

The trowel machine is one of the most common leveling tools that can be used to level huge concrete areas quickly and efficiently. You might also need a wet-dry vacuum to eliminate debris and dirt during leveling.

Cost 

Concrete leveling is a simple procedure but can also be costly. The cost depends on your location, but it usually costs around $300. However, you can cut these costs by doing it yourself.

Final Thoughts

Concrete leveling is a cheap but complicated process that aims to level a damaged slab. There are different techniques used to fix damaged slabs, and the above article has expounded on some

The above article has discussed everything you need to know about this leveling type, and more information on the same is available online.