How much does concrete leveling cost?

Concrete leveling typically costs $3 to $6 per square foot for mud jacking and $5 to $25 per square foot for polyurethane foam injection, depending on how much lift is needed and site access. To put that in perspective, a 10 by 10 foot section that has sunk might cost $300 to $600 to level with mud jacking versus $2,000 or more to tear out and replace. The total cost depends on how much concrete needs lifting, how much it has sunk, and what method we use. Polyurethane foam costs more per square foot but requires fewer injection points and cures faster. We provide free estimates after inspecting your concrete, so you know exactly what to expect before committing to the work.

How long does concrete leveling last?

If the underlying cause of settling has been addressed, concrete leveling can last for many years, often as long as the concrete itself. The leveling material becomes permanent fill underneath your slab. However, if drainage problems or soil issues continue, the concrete may settle again over time. That is why we evaluate what caused the settling in the first place. Sometimes we need to address drainage, install gutters, or make other improvements before or after leveling. When done correctly under the right conditions, leveled concrete can last 10 to 20 years or more. We cannot guarantee it will never settle again because we cannot control what happens to the soil, but we do everything possible to give you a long-lasting solution.

Concrete Leveling

Fix sunken or uneven concrete without the cost and hassle of replacement.

Why Concrete Sinks and Settles

When sections of your driveway, sidewalk, or patio sink lower than the surrounding concrete, it creates trip hazards, drainage problems, and an eyesore on your property. This settling happens when the soil underneath the concrete compresses, washes away, or shifts. Maybe the ground was not compacted properly when the concrete was poured. Maybe erosion from water runoff has hollowed out spaces under the slab. Or maybe the soil is just doing what clay soil does in Wilson, shrinking during dry periods and creating voids.

Whatever the cause, sunken concrete is not just ugly, it is dangerous. Trip hazards can lead to injuries and liability issues. Water pools against your foundation instead of draining away. The problem gets worse over time as more soil washes out and larger sections start to sink. Many homeowners assume they need to tear out and replace the concrete, which costs thousands of dollars and tears up their property for days. But there is often a better solution.

Concrete leveling, also called slab jacking or mud jacking, lifts sunken concrete back to its original position by filling the voids underneath. This process costs a fraction of replacement, takes hours instead of days, and you can use the surface immediately after we finish. Not every sunken slab can be lifted, but many can, and we will give you an honest assessment of whether leveling will work for your situation.

How Concrete Leveling Works

The concrete leveling process is surprisingly straightforward, though it requires specialized equipment and experience to do correctly. Here is what happens when we level your sunken concrete.

Assessment and Preparation

First we inspect your concrete to determine how much it has sunk, why it settled, and whether leveling is a viable solution. We check for major cracks, structural damage, or conditions that would prevent successful lifting. If the concrete is severely damaged or if the cause of settling cannot be addressed, we will recommend other options. Once we confirm leveling will work, we clean the area and mark injection points.

Drilling Injection Holes

We drill small holes through the sunken concrete, typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter. These holes are strategically placed to provide even lifting and complete void filling. The number and location of holes depends on the size of the sunken area and how much lift is needed. This drilling is precise work because we need to penetrate the slab without damaging it.

Pumping Leveling Material

Through the drilled holes, we pump a specialized material under the concrete. Traditional mud jacking uses a cement-based slurry. Modern polyurethane foam injection uses expanding foam that is lighter and cures faster. Both methods work by filling voids and creating pressure that lifts the slab. We carefully monitor the lift, adjusting the amount of material pumped to each hole. The concrete rises slowly and steadily until it reaches the correct height.

Finishing and Cleanup

Once the slab is level, we patch the injection holes with concrete that matches the existing surface as closely as possible. We clean up any spilled material and inspect the work to ensure everything is properly leveled. With mud jacking, you can typically use the surface after 24 hours. Polyurethane foam cures in minutes, so you can use the concrete almost immediately. Either way, you get your level concrete back in a fraction of the time replacement would take. The same careful approach we use for concrete repairs applies to every leveling job.

Benefits of Concrete Leveling

When leveling is the right solution for your sunken concrete, it offers several advantages over replacement. Here is why so many property owners choose leveling when it is an option.

Cost Savings: Leveling typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than tearing out and replacing concrete. You save thousands on materials and labor.
Fast Results: Most leveling jobs take just a few hours. Replacement takes days or weeks when you factor in demolition, site prep, pouring, and curing time.
Immediate Use: Polyurethane foam cures in minutes. Even traditional mud jacking is ready in 24 hours versus the 7 days needed for new concrete.
Less Mess: No demolition, no hauling away broken concrete, no extensive site preparation. We drill small holes, level the slab, patch the holes, and clean up.
Environmentally Friendly: Leveling reuses your existing concrete instead of adding debris to landfills and consuming resources for new concrete.
Maintains Appearance: Your concrete stays intact with its existing finish and color. No trying to match new concrete to old.

Leveling works especially well for driveways, sidewalks, garage floors, and patio slabs that have settled but are otherwise in good condition. If your concrete has sunk due to soil settling or erosion rather than structural failure, leveling is probably your best option. We handle projects throughout Wilson, NC for both residential and commercial properties.

That said, leveling has limitations. It will not fix large cracks, major structural damage, or concrete that is severely deteriorated. If your slab continues to sink because of ongoing drainage problems or soil issues that cannot be corrected, leveling is only a temporary fix. We will evaluate your specific situation and recommend leveling only when it makes sense as a long-term solution.