LIFTING A SUNKEN FRONT WALKWAY TO REMOVE A LARGE TRIP HAZARD
The front walkway is one of the most frequently used areas around a home. Family members, visitors, and delivery drivers rely on it every day to reach the front door safely.
But when a concrete slab sinks, even a short walk to the entrance can become a safety concern.
That was the problem at this Mount Prospect home.
A section of the front walkway had settled, creating a large trip hazard where two concrete slabs met. The uneven surface made walking toward the home more difficult and increased the risk of someone catching their foot on the raised edge.
Instead of removing the existing sidewalk, Raise-Rite lifted and stabilized the settled concrete to restore a safer, smoother entrance.
The Challenge
The front walkway had developed a significant height difference between neighboring concrete sections.
One slab had settled below the adjoining concrete, leaving a raised edge directly along the walking path.
This created several concerns for the homeowner:
- A large, noticeable trip hazard
- Increased risk of falls near the front entrance
- An uneven surface for visitors and delivery drivers
- Loss of support beneath the settled slab
- Concern about continued sinking
- Potential for additional cracking and movement
Because this was the main walkway leading to the home, the problem could not be easily avoided.
The homeowner needed a repair that would correct the uneven elevation while keeping the existing concrete in place.
The Raise-Rite Solution
After evaluating the walkway, our team determined that the sunken concrete could be lifted and stabilized using polyurethane foam.
Rather than grinding down the higher slab or replacing the affected section, we focused on raising the settled concrete closer to its original position.
Our repair helped:
- Lift the sunken walkway section
- Reduce the large height difference between slabs
- Remove the existing trip hazard
- Fill voids beneath the concrete
- Restore support underneath the walkway
- Create a smoother path toward the front door
By correcting the low slab, Raise-Rite addressed both the visible safety concern and the lack of support beneath the concrete.
The Fix (3-Step Process)
Step 1: Drill
Small injection holes were carefully drilled through the affected walkway slab.
These holes allowed our crew to reach the unsupported areas beneath the concrete without removing the existing walkway.
Step 2: Pump
High-density polyurethane foam was injected beneath the sunken slab.
As the foam expanded, it filled underlying voids and gradually lifted the concrete. Our technicians monitored the movement to bring the settled section closer to the elevation of the adjoining walkway.
Step 3: Patch
Once the walkway was lifted and stabilized, the injection holes were patched.
The existing concrete remained in place, leaving the homeowner with a more even front walkway without the disruption of demolition and replacement.
The Results
The completed repair addressed the most important concern: the large trip hazard along the front walkway.
The homeowner benefited from:
- A safer path to the front entrance
- A significantly improved transition between slabs
- Reduced risk of tripping on the uneven concrete
- Better support beneath the walkway
- Filled voids under the settled section
- Preservation of the existing concrete
The repair also improved the overall appearance and usability of the front entrance.
Instead of allowing the uneven walkway to become a larger safety problem, the homeowner was able to address the settlement and continue using the existing concrete.
WHY FRONT WALKWAYS SETTLE IN MOUNT PROSPECT, IL
Concrete walkways depend on the soil and base material underneath them for support.
Over time, that supporting material can shift, settle, or wash away. When a void develops beneath a slab, the concrete may begin to sink while the neighboring section remains at its original elevation.
Several conditions can contribute to walkway settlement in Mount Prospect:
- Soil consolidation beneath the concrete
- Rainwater washing away supporting material
- Illinois freeze-thaw cycles
- Seasonal changes in soil moisture
- Poorly compacted fill near the home
- Voids developing beneath walkway slabs
Front walkways can be especially vulnerable near steps, landscaping, and areas where water collects.
As the concrete settles unevenly, the difference in height between slabs can become a serious trip hazard.
Polyurethane concrete lifting helps correct these uneven elevations while restoring support beneath the affected sections.
RAISE-RITE CONCRETE LIFTING IN MOUNT PROSPECT, IL
Raise-Rite has been helping Illinois homeowners repair sinking and uneven concrete since 1974, with more than 100,000 projects completed.
Our concrete lifting services can help with:
- Front walkways and sidewalks
- Concrete trip hazard removal
- Driveways and garage approaches
- Front steps and entryways
- Patios and porches
- Other sinking concrete slabs
If your front walkway has a raised edge or an uneven section, you may not need to replace the concrete.
When the existing slab is still in suitable condition, polyurethane concrete lifting can restore its elevation, improve safety, and fill the unsupported areas underneath.
Learn more about our Mount Prospect concrete lifting services.
