RESTORING A SUNKEN PATIO AND CREATING A SAFER BACKYARD ENTRANCE
A backyard patio should be a comfortable place to relax, entertain guests, and enjoy time outdoors. But when the concrete begins to settle near the steps, even walking out of the house can become difficult.
That was the concern at this Carol Stream home.
The backyard patio and steps needed attention due to uneven concrete elevations. Settlement around these areas can create awkward walking transitions, increase the risk of tripping, and affect how water drains near the home.
Rather than removing the existing concrete, Raise-Rite used polyurethane concrete lifting to improve the patio elevation and stabilize the affected areas.
The Challenge
The backyard patio had experienced settlement around the steps, creating an uneven transition between the outdoor living space and the entrance.
This was an important area to repair because the homeowner regularly used the steps to access the backyard.
The settlement raised several concerns:
- Uneven concrete around the patio
- Awkward transitions near the steps
- Potential trip hazards when entering or leaving the home
- Loss of support beneath settled concrete
- Possible water collection in low areas
- Concern about additional sinking and cracking
When a patio settles near steps, the distance between the walking surface and the first step can change. This can make the entrance feel uncomfortable or unexpected, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the property.
The homeowner wanted to restore a more consistent walking surface while keeping the existing patio and steps whenever possible.
The Raise-Rite Solution
After evaluating the affected concrete, our team used polyurethane foam lifting to address the settled patio and improve the transition around the steps.
The repair focused on correcting the slab elevation while restoring support beneath the concrete.
Our approach helped:
- Lift settled patio sections
- Improve the transition near the backyard steps
- Reduce uneven concrete edges
- Fill voids beneath the patio
- Stabilize the affected slabs
- Preserve the existing outdoor living area
By raising the concrete instead of replacing it, Raise-Rite provided a less disruptive way to address the settlement.
The goal was to make the patio more comfortable and safer to use while helping the homeowner avoid unnecessary concrete replacement.
The Fix (3-Step Process)
Step 1: Drill
Small injection holes were strategically drilled through the affected patio slabs.
These access points allowed our crew to reach the unsupported areas beneath the concrete without removing the existing patio.
Step 2: Pump
High-density polyurethane foam was injected beneath the settled concrete.
As the material expanded, it filled underlying voids and gradually lifted the patio. Our technicians monitored the movement to improve slab alignment and the transition near the backyard steps.
Special attention was given to the step area, where even small changes in elevation can affect how comfortably someone enters or exits the home.
Step 3: Patch
Once the affected concrete was lifted and stabilized, the injection holes were patched.
The existing patio remained in place, allowing the homeowner to keep the outdoor space without the disruption of demolition and replacement.
The Results
The completed repair improved the backyard patio and the walking transition around the steps.
The homeowner benefited from:
- More even patio elevations
- A smoother transition near the backyard steps
- Reduced trip hazard concerns
- Better support beneath the concrete
- Filled voids under settled sections
- Preservation of the existing patio
The repair also improved the overall usability of the backyard entrance.
Instead of allowing the uneven concrete to become a larger problem, the homeowner was able to address the settlement while keeping the patio in place.
WHY BACKYARD PATIOS & STEPS SETTLE IN CAROL STREAM, IL
Backyard patios and steps can settle when the soil and base material beneath them change over time.
Areas near the house can be especially vulnerable because water from roofs, downspouts, and surrounding landscaping may affect the supporting soil.
Several factors can contribute to concrete settlement in Carol Stream:
- Soil consolidation beneath the patio
- Water washing away supporting material
- Illinois freeze-thaw cycles
- Seasonal changes in soil moisture
- Poorly compacted fill near the foundation
- Voids developing beneath concrete slabs
When the patio settles at a different rate than the steps or surrounding concrete, uneven transitions can develop.
These changes may create trip hazards, affect step heights, and alter the way water moves across the patio.
Polyurethane concrete lifting helps correct the slab elevation while filling unsupported areas beneath the concrete.
RAISE-RITE CONCRETE LIFTING IN CAROL STREAM, IL
Since 1974, Raise-Rite has helped Illinois homeowners repair sinking and uneven concrete, completing more than 100,000 projects.
Our concrete lifting services can help with:
- Backyard patio lifting and leveling
- Concrete steps and entryways
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Driveways and garage approaches
- Porches
- Concrete trip hazards
- Other settled concrete slabs
If your backyard patio is sinking or the steps have become uneven, you may not need to replace the concrete.
When the existing slabs remain in suitable condition, polyurethane concrete lifting can restore their elevation, improve walking transitions, and provide additional support underneath.
Learn more about our Carol Stream concrete lifting services.
