How to Fix Uneven Concrete Without Replacing It?

[fejog]

Hey everyone,

I have some uneven sections in my driveway and patio, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to fix them without a full replacement. The sinking isn’t severe, but it’s enough to be noticeable and a bit of a hazard.

I’ve heard about different methods like self-leveling compounds, mud jacking, and polyurethane foam injection. Are these good long-term solutions, or will the problem come back in a few years?

For those who have dealt with this before, what’s the best approach? Is it worth trying a DIY fix, or is this something best left to professionals? Also, how do I know if the concrete is too far gone and needs replacing?

[fejog]

Hey everyone,

I have some uneven sections in my driveway and patio, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to fix them without a full replacement. The sinking isn’t severe, but it’s enough to be noticeable and a bit of a hazard.

I’ve heard about different methods like self-leveling compounds, mud jacking, and polyurethane foam injection. Are these good long-term solutions, or will the problem come back in a few years?

For those who have dealt with this before, what’s the best approach? Is it worth trying a DIY fix to learn more about concrete, or is this something best left to professionals? Also, how do I know if the concrete is too far gone and needs replacing?

Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful! Thanks!

[Annahmed]

Hi, Fejog!

Sounds like a pretty common issue! If the sinking isn’t too bad, you’ve got some decent options that don’t involve a full replacement.

Mudjacking and polyurethane foam injection are both solid choices for lifting the slabs back into place. Mudjacking is usually cheaper but can settle again over time, while the foam method is lighter, sets faster, and tends to last longer (but costs more).

Self-leveling compounds work better for small, surface-level fixes, but they won’t do much if the whole slab has sunk.

If the concrete is cracked and crumbling badly, though, lifting it might just be a temporary fix, and replacement could be the better route. A good rule of thumb, if the concrete still looks solid and just needs a lift, one of the injection methods is worth considering. If it’s breaking apart, it might be time to start fresh.

As for DIY vs. pro, small patches or resurfacing can be a DIY job, but lifting concrete is usually best left to the pros unless you’ve got the right equipment. If you go the pro route, just make sure they check why it sank in the first place so it doesn’t happen again.

Hope this helps!