Concrete leveling for driveways, patios and garage floors
A sunken walk or a driveway slab that has dropped an inch is a trip hazard and a drainage problem, and it is usually a much smaller job than a foundation lift. Here is how the lifting works and when it points to something bigger.
What concrete leveling is
Instead of tearing out a sunken slab, a crew drills small holes in it and pumps a material underneath that fills the void and pushes the slab back up. The holes are then patched. It is used on driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, steps and garage floors.
Common methods
- Polyurethane foamA foam that expands under the slab, fills voids and lifts. It is light, so it adds little weight to soil that already struggled.
- Cement slurryA cement and sand mix pumped under the slab, often called mudjacking. It is heavier than foam.
- ReplacementBreaking out and pouring new concrete. It makes sense for badly cracked or crumbled slabs that lifting cannot save.
Ask the company which material it uses, how many holes it will drill and how long you must wait before driving or walking on the slab.
Why concrete sinks
- Soil washed out from under the edge by a downspout or sprinkler
- Fill that was not compacted well when the concrete was poured
- Clay that shrinks in dry spells and leaves a void
- Tree roots that heaved one section and left another unsupported
- A leaking pipe or drain line under the slab
Fix the cause or the slab will sink again. Redirect the downspout, repair the leak and check the grading. See drainage and soil moisture.
When it is more than a driveway
A garage floor that is tied to the house, or cracks that run from a patio into the wall of the home, can be part of the foundation problem rather than a separate one. If the house shows cracks, sticking doors or sloping floors as well, request an inspection of the house before paying to lift a driveway. See signs and cracks.
What it costs
Concrete leveling is usually priced by the area and the thickness of the slab, and it usually costs well below pier work. Prices vary a lot by company and material, so get two or three written quotes that list the holes, the material and the warranty.
Help in your town
Read what the ground is like and what homeowners ask in Buda, New Braunfels, Garden Ridge, or see the full service area.
How the inspection works
- Send a request or callFill in the short form or call (726) 610-5892. Tell us your town and what you are seeing.
- A company contacts youA local foundation repair company calls to set a time that works for you.
- The visitThe inspector measures floor levels, looks at cracks, doors and drainage, and checks the crawl space if there is one.
- Written findingsYou should get the findings and any repair plan in writing, so you can compare it with other quotes.
Last updated October 2026.
Request an inspection
Tell us what you are seeing. A local foundation repair company will contact you to schedule a visit.
Prefer to talk? Call (726) 610-5892.
Most companies offer a free inspection. Confirm when you book.
Common questions
How soon can I use the slab after it is lifted?
It depends on the material and the company. Foam often allows use within hours, slurry can take longer. Ask for the exact wait for your job.
Will the slab sink again?
It can if the cause is not fixed. Water under the slab, loose fill or tree roots will bring the problem back. Ask what the company found and what it recommends.
Can a cracked slab be lifted?
Often yes if the pieces are sound. Badly broken or crumbling concrete is better replaced. A good company will say so rather than lift something that will not hold.
Ready to have someone look at it?
Tell us what you are seeing. It takes about a minute, and photos are optional.