Residential concrete
Concrete Leveling and Slab Lifting in Eagan, MN
Minnesota winters are hard on concrete that is not quite level. A panel that dropped half an inch catches snow shovels and holds meltwater that freezes into a sheet of ice. We level and lift concrete in Eagan, MN so walks, aprons and patios sit flat and drain the right way again.
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What moves concrete in Eagan
Two things move most slabs here: settling and frost. Many Eagan neighborhoods were built from the 1970s into the 1990s, when the city grew from farmland into suburbs. Soil packed against new foundations often was not compacted well, and over decades it has settled. Front walks, stoops and garage aprons poured over that soil sink with it.
Frost works the other way. When wet soil freezes, it expands and can push a slab up. In spring, the ground thaws unevenly and the slab drops back, sometimes not to where it started. After enough winters, walks end up with uneven joints, and aprons tilt toward the garage instead of away from it. Downspouts that dump water next to a slab make both problems worse by washing soil out and soaking the ground before it freezes.
Why it matters in winter
An uneven sidewalk is a trip hazard any time of year, but in winter it is worse. Snow shovels and blowers catch on raised edges. Low spots collect meltwater from sunny afternoons, and it refreezes overnight into ice right where people walk. A garage apron that tilts back toward the house can send meltwater under the door. Lifting the slab so it drains away fixes all of that.
Lifting instead of tearing out
If a slab is still in solid pieces, it can usually be lifted rather than removed. Lifting costs less than replacement in most cases, creates almost no mess on the lawn, and the concrete can be used right away. Slabs that are badly broken, crumbling or flaking may be better candidates for replacement, and we will tell you if that is the case. For new work, see our sidewalks and driveways services.
How we lift slabs
We mostly use polyurethane foam. Small holes are drilled through the slab, and the foam is injected underneath, where it expands, fills voids and raises the concrete. We lift in small steps while watching a level, so the slab rises evenly without cracking. The foam is light and waterproof, so it does not add much weight to soft soil or wash out with spring runoff. Once the slab is level, the holes are patched and the joints are sealed so water cannot get under the concrete again.
In some cases, a cement slurry, often called mudjacking, is an option. We will compare the two when it makes sense.
Common jobs
- Front walks with trip edges between panels.
- Garage aprons that have sunk and tilt toward the door.
- Steps and stoops that have pulled away from the house.
- Patios that slope back toward the foundation.
- Pool decks and walkways along the side of the house.
When to schedule
We lift concrete from spring, once the frost is out of the ground, through late fall, before the ground freezes. Fall is a popular time, because it fixes trip edges and drainage before the first snow. Spring is good for slabs that heaved over winter, once they settle back down. We do not lift on frozen ground, because the slab could drop again when it thaws.
Preventing it from happening again
After lifting, extend downspouts so they empty several feet from walks and patios. Keep the joint between the slab and the foundation sealed. Avoid piling snow along the edge of a walk where it melts into the soil. Small steps like these help lifted concrete stay put through many winters.
Is lifting right for your slab?
Lifting works best when the slab is solid but out of position. Good candidates have dropped evenly or tilted, without many cracks, and the concrete surface is still in decent shape. Poor candidates are slabs that have broken into many small pieces, have heavy surface flaking from years of salt, or have been undermined by a large washout that needs repair first. We check for all of these at the estimate and give you a straight answer. If a few panels need replacement and others can be lifted, we can do both together.
Questions
How long does it take?
Most homes take a few hours. You can usually walk on it right away.
Will the slab crack when lifted?
Rarely. We lift slowly. Existing cracks can open slightly, and we seal them.
Do you work outside Eagan?
Yes, in Burnsville, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights and Mendota Heights.
Get a leveling estimate Call (651) 427-1250. We will measure the drop and tell you whether lifting or replacement is the better fix.