LIFTING A SETTLED DRIVEWAY AND SEALING THE CRACK
Driveway settlement often happens gradually. One section starts to sink, joints become uneven, and cracks can open as the slab loses support underneath.
That was the issue at this Northlake home.
The driveway had settled and needed to be lifted back toward its proper position. In addition to correcting the uneven concrete, the homeowner wanted the slab stabilized and the existing crack caulked to help protect the repaired area.
Rather than removing otherwise usable concrete, Raise-Rite was able to lift and support the existing driveway.
The Challenge
The driveway had lost support beneath portions of the concrete, allowing the slab to settle.
As the concrete moved, it created an uneven surface and an open crack that needed attention.
The homeowner wanted a repair that would:
- Lift the settled driveway
- Stabilize the concrete underneath
- Improve uneven areas
- Reduce the chance of additional movement
- Caulk the existing crack
- Preserve the existing driveway
Leaving unsupported concrete alone can allow settlement to continue. Open cracks can also provide another path for water to reach the soil beneath the slab.
Addressing both the settlement and the crack provided a more complete repair.
The Raise-Rite Solution
After evaluating the driveway, our team determined that the existing slabs were candidates for concrete lifting and stabilization.
Instead of tearing out the driveway, we used polyurethane foam to lift the settled areas and restore support beneath the concrete.
This allowed us to:
- Carefully raise the affected driveway sections
- Fill underlying voids
- Stabilize the concrete
- Improve transitions between slabs
- Preserve the existing driveway
- Caulk the crack after lifting
The goal wasn’t simply to make the surface look better. Stabilizing the slab underneath was an important part of helping address what caused the visible settlement in the first place.
The Fix (3-Step Process)
Step 1: Drill
Small, strategically placed holes were drilled through the driveway in the areas that needed lifting and additional support.
Step 2: Pump
Polyurethane foam was injected beneath the concrete.
As the material expanded, it filled empty spaces below the slab and allowed our team to carefully lift the settled driveway while creating more consistent support underneath.
Step 3: Patch
Once the driveway reached the appropriate elevation and was stabilized, the injection holes were patched.
The existing crack was also caulked, helping close the opening and reduce the amount of surface water that can enter through it.
The Results
The homeowner was able to address the settled driveway without the expense and disruption of replacing the existing concrete.
After the repair, the driveway had:
- Improved slab elevations
- Better support beneath the concrete
- Reduced uneven transitions
- Filled underlying voids
- A caulked existing crack
- A cleaner, more finished appearance
Most importantly, the project addressed both the visible settlement and the unsupported areas beneath the driveway.
The existing concrete could remain in place while becoming more stable and functional for everyday use.
WHY DRIVEWAYS SETTLE IN NORTHLAKE, IL
Concrete driveways depend on the soil and base material underneath them for support. When that supporting material changes, washes away, or consolidates, empty spaces can develop beneath the slab.
Common factors that contribute to driveway settlement include:
- Soil consolidation over time
- Water moving beneath the concrete
- Erosion of supporting material
- Illinois freeze-thaw cycles
- Moisture entering through joints and cracks
- Poorly compacted fill beneath the original driveway
As support is lost, sections of concrete can begin to sink while neighboring slabs remain in place.
Lifting and stabilizing the existing concrete can often correct these problems without requiring complete driveway replacement.
RAISE-RITE CONCRETE LIFTING IN NORTHLAKE, IL
Raise-Rite has been helping homeowners repair sinking and uneven concrete since 1974, with more than 100,000 projects completed.
Our concrete lifting services can be used for:
- Driveways and garage approaches
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Steps and entryways
- Patios
- Porches
- Other settled concrete slabs
If your driveway is sinking, uneven, or developing cracks, it may be possible to lift and stabilize the existing concrete rather than replace it.
Learn more about our Northlake concrete lifting services.
