RESTORING SETTLED CONCRETE FOR A SMOOTHER GARAGE ENTRANCE
The area where a driveway meets the garage takes a lot of daily wear. Vehicle traffic, water movement, changing soil conditions, and Illinois weather can all contribute to settlement over time.
At this Lemont home, sections of the driveway and garage approach had begun to sink and move out of alignment.
The result was an uneven driveway surface and a rough transition into the garage.
Rather than waiting for the settlement to become more severe, the homeowner chose to lift and stabilize the existing concrete while the slabs were still good candidates for repair.
The Challenge
The settlement affected both the driveway and the concrete approaching the garage.
As the slabs moved, the homeowner was left with:
- Uneven sections of driveway
- A noticeable transition at the garage entrance
- Areas that had lost support underneath
- Concerns about continued sinking
- Potential drainage issues around low spots
- Worry that cracks and slab movement could become worse
The garage approach was an especially important area to address.
Every time a vehicle enters or leaves the garage, its weight travels across this transition. When the concrete underneath is no longer fully supported, continued use can put additional stress on the slab.
The homeowner wanted to restore the driveway without the expense and disruption of tearing out otherwise usable concrete.
The Raise-Rite Solution
After evaluating the affected areas, our team recommended polyurethane concrete lifting and stabilization.
The goal was to correct the elevation of the settled slabs while also restoring the support that had been lost underneath.
The process allowed us to:
- Lift settled driveway sections
- Raise the garage approach
- Improve the transition into the garage
- Fill voids beneath the concrete
- Stabilize affected slabs
- Preserve the existing driveway
Instead of simply addressing what could be seen at the surface, the repair focused on the unsupported areas beneath the concrete.
The Fix (3-Step Process)
Step 1: Drill
Small access holes were strategically drilled through the affected driveway and garage approach slabs.
Step 2: Pump
High-density polyurethane foam was injected beneath the concrete.
As the foam expanded, it filled underlying voids and allowed our crew to carefully lift the settled sections. The slabs were monitored throughout the process to improve alignment between the driveway and garage entrance.
Step 3: Patch
Once the desired elevations were achieved and the slabs were stabilized, the injection holes were patched.
The existing driveway remained in place and could return to normal use without the lengthy disruption associated with concrete replacement.
The Results
The completed project provided a more stable and functional driveway area.
The homeowner now has:
- More even driveway slabs
- A smoother transition into the garage
- Better support beneath the concrete
- Filled voids under settled areas
- Reduced concerns about continued movement
- No need to replace the entire driveway
Addressing the settlement also helped protect the driveway before uneven areas became larger problems.
Instead of starting over with new concrete, the homeowner was able to get more life from the driveway already in place.
WHY DRIVEWAYS & GARAGE APPROACHES SETTLE IN LEMONT, IL
Concrete relies on the soil and base material beneath it for support. When that material settles, erodes, or shifts, sections of the driveway can begin to drop.
Common contributors include:
- Soil consolidation beneath concrete
- Water washing away supporting material
- Seasonal moisture changes
- Illinois freeze-thaw cycles
- Voids beneath driveway slabs
- Changes in fill material near the garage and foundation
Because different areas can lose support at different rates, one driveway panel may settle while the neighboring slab remains higher.
Concrete lifting helps restore those elevations while filling unsupported areas beneath the slab.
RAISE-RITE CONCRETE LIFTING IN LEMONT, 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 help with:
- Driveways
- Garage approaches and aprons
- Walkways and sidewalks
- Front steps and entryways
- Patios and porches
- Other settled concrete slabs
If your driveway has started sinking or the transition into your garage is becoming uneven, lifting the existing concrete may provide an alternative to replacement.
Learn more about our Lemont concrete lifting services.
