Driveway Repair & Leveling
Kansas City, MO

Sinking and cracked driveways are one of the most common services requested from us, and for good reason. Driveways have large concrete slabs which can sink dramatically when mudjacking is needed. Because of their large size and weight, driveway slabs that have a void beneath them can sink and crack easily if they are not mudjacked in a timely manner. So why is making sure your driveway is sound such a big deal? Take a look at these common questions below.

How can I tell if my driveway needs mudjacking?

The most obvious sign that your driveway needs mudjacking is if there are one or more slabs that are uneven from the rest. However there are other, more subtle signs that you are in need of mudjacking services. Microfractures may start to appear in the concrete slabs. This is a result of there being a void beneath the slab, meaning that there is nothing beneath it to support the weight of cars, boats, or even the slab itself. Another indicator that you may have a void beneath your slab is if you hear a hollow noise when a ball is bounced on it. A void may be forming, but the slab itself has not moved yet, but just because the slab is not moving does not mean it’s not a problem. 

Voids beneath the slab can lead to the slab cracking and either needing to be repaired or completely replaced. Another indicator that you need mudjacking is that your driveway slabs are no longer level with your garage or sidewalk slabs. Your concrete may be sinking, but not necessarily tilting, which will cause it to still seem level. If your garage floor is not above your driveway, you’ll need mudjacking to bring the driveway back up to meet your garage.

Why do I need to get my sinking driveway repaired?

Not only is a sinking and cracked driveway unsightly, it can cause other problems. One of the most common, everyday annoyances of a sinking driveway is that you’re constantly tripping on the slabs because they are uneven. While this is usually just cause for an annoying stubbed toe, it can lead to some serious trips and falls. If a guest trips and falls on your property and is injured, it can potentially lead to a lawsuit or insurance claim. If your driveway slabs are no longer graded away from your home, it can cause water to pool in places it didn’t previously, and shouldn’t. Improperly graded concrete can funnel water toward your home or garage instead of away from it, meaning that you can have water damage. This water damage can range anywhere from flooding to wood rot to major foundation damage. 

The sooner your concrete driveway is mudjacked back to its proper position, the fewer problems you are likely to incur. When you have a void beneath a concrete slab, and it is not repaired, the concrete will degrade over time. Microfractures will turn into cracks in the concrete, which will let more water beneath the slab, speeding up the sinking process. If the void is not filled, eventually the integrity of the concrete slab will fail, and you’ll have to completely replace the slab, which is much more costly than mudjacking.

How much will it cost to mudjack my driveway?

The cost of leveling your driveway will depend on several factors including the number of slabs, the size of the slabs, and how far they have sunk. Sink mudjacking is essentially filling the void beneath the slab, the larger the void, the more material it will take. The more material that is used, the higher the cost will be. However, the average for leveling a concrete driveway runs between $2 and $5 per square foot. The average cost of replacing a driveway is between $5 and $9 per square foot, so if you’re looking at mudjacking vs. replacing 180 sq. ft., the difference can be over a thousand dollars! It’s always going to be less expensive to mudjack your concrete than it will be to replace it.

How will you make my driveway level again?

The process to even out your slabs is simple enough: we drill small quarter size holes in strategically placed areas of the affected slabs. Next, we pump a slurry of concrete beneath the slab. This slurry fills the void and gently raises the concrete slab back into place, all while reinforcing the area beneath the slab that was previously empty. This slurry is recyclable, meaning that when down the road someone does want to replace the driveway or remove it, the concrete can all be recycled and does not have to be specially disposed of. Lastly, once the slabs are all back into their proper place, we fill the holes we drilled with concrete. We do our best to match the color of the concrete, even if it is colored concrete. New concrete however is a lighter color than existing concrete, so you may notice a subtle difference in the color of the holes we filled. This means that you’ll barely even notice that anything was done to your concrete slabs other than the fact that they are once again level and sound!

What can I do to prevent my concrete from sinking again?

One of the biggest reasons that voids are created beneath slabs is that water gets beneath the slab. The easiest way to help prevent this from happening is to seal any seams or cracks in the concrete. Concrete caulk is available at local hardware stores. It’s inexpensive and simple to apply. By sealing up those areas that are prone to water damage, not only will you prevent the cracks from letting in water, but it can help ensure the cracks don’t get any bigger in the future. 

If you need driveway mudjacking in Kansas City, don’t wait. Call us today for a free quote and we’ll get your driveway fixed in no time!