Frequently Asked Questions
What concrete can be raised?
We can refresh your driveway, sidewalk, porch, steps, curb & gutter, drive approach, RV pad, patio, garage and warehouse floors, entrance ramp, pool and pool deck. We’re even one of the rare companies that will take on the delicate challenge of floors and drives with radiant heating. At last, Aunt Edna can stop kvetching about that concrete lip she keeps threatening to trip over!
What causes concrete to settle?
Over time, concrete can settle due to poorly compacted soil under the slab, erosion from water, or clay that simply didn’t have time to completely settle before construction was piled on top of it.
How do you raise concrete?
The technology to raise slabs back to their original grade has been around since 1932—it’s simple and well-proven. It’s sometimes called “slab jacking” or “mud jacking.” After drilling small holes in strategic points in the slab, a mixture of clean soil, water, and cement is pumped, under 500 PSI, under the concrete to restore the level at which it was first poured. After a thorough clean up, concrete patch is put back in the holes to finish the process.
Do foundations settle, too?
Oh, yeah. And it’s fixable, via “foundation piering.” It happens where you have poorly compacted soil or trenches from construction, undiscovered cavities or degrading organics like tree roots or stumps that were built upon, or simply rain and snow water that hasn’t been properly diverted away from the foundation.
How is it repaired?
The foundation is first exposed down to just below the bottom of the footing. At strategic intervals, small holes are dug under the foundation to accommodate piering materials and jacks big enough to lift a semi truck. Each one is singularly driven under the footing until it is capable of lifting the structure. At that point, all piers are raised until the settled area is back to its original height, or in some cases, just lifted minimally to ensure stabilization and halting settling.
Did you really fix the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
No, but similar techniques were used to keep it from toppling. We’re located in Salt Lake City, and venture into Davis and Utah Counties. A satellite office in Italy sounds tempting, though.
Do you guarantee your work?
Yes, and we’re sure to be around for quite a while. We’ve been slab jacking since 1988, when Concrete Raising Company became the first such business in Utah. We continue to be the most reliable and respected business of its kind. After 30 years of expert work, we’ll be here tomorrow, too!