RESTORING A SETTLED DRIVEWAY WITHOUT REPLACING THE CONCRETE
A driveway does not have to be badly cracked or broken to need attention. When individual slabs begin to settle, the driveway can develop uneven joints, low spots, and noticeable changes in elevation.
That was the problem at this La Grange home.
Sections of the driveway had settled and were no longer level with the surrounding concrete. The homeowner wanted to correct the uneven surface while keeping the existing driveway whenever possible.
Rather than tearing out and replacing otherwise usable concrete, Raise-Rite lifted and leveled the affected driveway sections.
The Challenge
Several areas of the driveway had moved out of their original position as the support beneath the concrete changed.
This created uneven elevations between adjoining slabs and made the driveway less smooth to walk and drive across.
The homeowner wanted a solution that would:
- Lift the settled driveway sections
- Improve uneven slab transitions
- Restore a more consistent surface
- Stabilize the concrete from below
- Preserve the existing driveway
- Avoid unnecessary concrete replacement
Settlement like this usually points to a problem underneath the slab. Simply addressing the surface would not restore the missing support below.
The Raise-Rite Solution
After evaluating the driveway, our team determined that the affected concrete could be lifted and leveled rather than removed.
Polyurethane foam was injected beneath the settled sections of the driveway. As the foam expanded, it filled voids beneath the concrete while allowing our technicians to carefully raise the slabs.
This approach allowed us to:
- Lift low driveway sections
- Improve alignment between adjoining slabs
- Fill voids beneath the concrete
- Restore support below settled areas
- Stabilize the repaired sections
- Keep the existing concrete in place
The lifting process is controlled so adjustments can be made gradually as the slabs move toward the desired elevation.
The Fix (3-Step Process)
Step 1: Drill
Small injection holes were strategically placed in the driveway slabs that needed lifting and additional support.
Step 2: Pump
Polyurethane foam was injected through the holes and beneath the concrete.
As the material expanded, it filled unsupported areas and gently raised the settled sections. Our crew monitored the movement to improve the alignment between neighboring slabs.
Step 3: Patch
Once the driveway was lifted and stabilized, the injection holes were patched.
The existing concrete remained in place, avoiding the demolition, removal, and replacement involved with pouring a new driveway.
The Results
The driveway was lifted and leveled while preserving the existing concrete.
After the repair, the homeowner had:
- More even driveway elevations
- Improved transitions between slabs
- Filled voids beneath settled areas
- Better support beneath the concrete
- A smoother surface for everyday use
- No need for complete driveway replacement
Instead of allowing the settlement to become more pronounced, the homeowner addressed the problem while the existing slabs were still suitable for lifting.
The result was a more stable and functional driveway without starting over with new concrete.
WHY DRIVEWAYS SETTLE IN LA GRANGE, IL
A concrete driveway is only as stable as the material supporting it.
Over time, soil and base material beneath a driveway can consolidate, shift, or wash away. Once empty spaces develop beneath a slab, the concrete above may begin to settle.
Several conditions can contribute to driveway settlement in northern Illinois:
- Soil consolidation
- Water moving beneath slabs
- Erosion of supporting material
- Freeze-thaw cycles
- Changing soil moisture
- Poorly compacted fill
- Voids beneath the driveway
Different sections of the same driveway can settle at different rates, which is why one slab may become noticeably lower than the one beside it.
Concrete lifting addresses these elevation differences while also filling unsupported areas beneath the slab.
RAISE-RITE CONCRETE LIFTING IN LA GRANGE, IL
Raise-Rite has been helping homeowners lift and repair settled concrete since 1974, with more than 100,000 projects completed.
Our concrete lifting services can help with:
- Driveways and garage approaches
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Steps and entryways
- Patios
- Porches
- Other settled concrete slabs
If sections of your driveway are sinking or becoming uneven, replacement may not be your only option. When the concrete is still in suitable condition, lifting and leveling can restore the existing slabs while improving support underneath.
Learn more about our La Grange concrete lifting services.
