Concrete lifting and leveling are expert services designed to address specific issues. As such, it is important to have a professional view your home and make suggestions before you make a choice. Nonetheless, there are two situations in which you will need concrete lifting.
Active Sinking or Heaving
If your driveway seems to be actively sinking at one side or even in the middle, it is time to contact a professional for concrete lifting services. Sinking can present itself in a number of ways. First and foremost, you could notice that the edges of the driveway are being swamped by soil and water, especially during rainy seasons. Likewise, you may notice a pronounced slope where there was no incline before. This is a serious sign that your driveway is starting to sink.
Another more immediately recognizable issue is one called frost heave. When your driveway is already damaged, the presence of expansive soil can cause it to bulge upward during or after a snap freeze. This can cause a permanent upward bulge or the formation of a crater when the ground recedes again. If you see any of these issues, you should contact a professional to have the situation assessed and rectified.
This can be a relatively minor issue, but you shouldn’t ignore it if it is a warning sign for other structural issues.
Craters and Pronounced Dips
Potholes, craters, pronounced sags, and surface-level damage to your driveway can be an indicator of serious issues in the concrete or even in the soil itself. If you notice large chunks of concrete breaking away, for example, this is called spalling or scaling and can be caused by a poorly laid driveway or the use of substandard concrete.
The sudden appearance of a pothole or crater, however, is more likely a sign of issues in the soil. Either way, this damage should not be ignored. Not only can it snowball into more serious issues when left alone, but it can cause damage to your home, your car, and even your person if you trip or fall because of a crater.