Over time, your beautiful garage, driveway, sidewalks, and other concrete slabs may begin to crack and separate, creating unsightly and unsafe results for everyone. Heaving, settling, and otherwise shifting concrete creates the need for many Texas homeowners to seek out an affordable solution. Services such as concrete replacement can prove to be too costly, as the overall price of labor, materials, delivery, and more can quickly add up. Many homeowners in the area have found success with concrete leveling from our Houston pros. Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to deliver just that. For years, our concrete levelers have perfected our polyjacking formula to effectively and affordably repair cement slabs.
If you have noticed cracks, dips, or any unsightly defects on your concrete surfaces, it’s important to call for professional services. In the meantime, it can also help to better understand what factors may be at play beneath your feet.
Today, we’ll conclude our look into the top causes behind residential and commercial concrete sinkage. If you’re here because you’re in need of concrete leveling solutions for your Houston home, be sure to contact our pros for a consultation!
Intense Moisture Saturation
Properly compacted soils will be better able to resist oversaturation, creating a uniform surface that helps to resist incoming moisture. However, heavy amounts of water can cause oversaturation, reducing the soil’s density and stability. If this is hard to imagine, try picturing a handful of dirt: If the material is too dry, it will not bind together. When an optimal amount of moisture is added, it will become cohesive, being able to conform better and deliver more strength and resistance. Once you add too much moisture, the dirt will turn into mud, becoming squishy and unable to resist pressure.
Concrete is a durable, beautiful, long-lasting material, but it is also heavy. Once moisture infiltrates the subgrade, your soils will likely not be able to support the increased weight of both concrete and the items on top of the surface. Sinking and sometimes collapsing slabs occur because of this moisture exposure. Many builders are experienced with the high shrink-swell potential of soils across Texas, and have hopefully taken steps to protect the slab from long-term complications.
Erosion Concerns
The Houston area is prone to a unique blend of soil and weather patterns. Torrential rains, hot summers, and long periods of drought in close proximity to our high water table across Southeast Texas result in materials subjected to extreme changes. This makes local soils for prone to expansion and shrinkage, combining with intense weather patterns to increase the potential for erosion. Over time, soil can be washed out from beneath your concrete, leaving slabs vulnerable to failure.
If you have noticed signs of erosion around your property, it may be time to reach out to a local concrete repair company for a consultation. Our versatile poly foam is designed specifically to conform to and support Texas’ unique soils, and each of our concrete leveling contractors is trained to provide honest and reliable advice for every citizen we assist.
Heavy Loads
In combination with factors such as soil shrinkage and erosion, heavy loads can put a lot of stress on your concrete slabs. Bear in mind that modern concrete surfaces are designed to withstand considerable pressure, but without the proper support underneath, even the sturdiest slabs can suffer flex failure (bending versus direct pressure).
Heavy loads can also be problematic when you consider moisture infiltration. Chips, gouges, and other surface damages may worsen and allow water to infiltrate your concrete and the subgrade beneath. This scenario can worsen erosion and oversaturation problems, further creating a headache for home and business owners across the state.
Improper Soil Materials
In some situations, the cause of settling or sinking can be attributed to the placement of inferior soils. Your earthwork crew can follow protocol to ensure that your materials are within spec, but if they rely on muck, the results can be disastrous. This material, often categorized as trash soil in construction due to its high level of organic matter, can prove very problematic. Compared to compacted clayey soils, muck does not resist water infiltration, and provides very little support. Being comprised of natural materials and high levels of nutrients, muck is both reactive and combustible. Consistency is key in soil placement, and relying on clean fill materials can help builders to minimize shortcomings.
Repair Your Uneven Concrete Today
You do not have to live with dangerous, ugly concrete surfaces. Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to provide the best cement leveling services across the greater Houston area, providing cost-effective results that restore your slabs back to their original smoothness. Relying on our unique polyjacking services, your collapsing concrete will be lifted back into place and the empty space filled with our expanding foam.
There are many causes of sinking concrete in Texas, from improper earthwork services to inherently volatile soil conditions. Instead of seeking out a full replacement, contact us today instead to learn about our comprehensive concrete lifting services!
