CONCRETE LEVELING GUIDE
Concrete Leveling vs. Replacement
Leveling preserves an existing slab; replacement removes it and starts over. The best option depends on whether the concrete itself remains worth saving and whether the cause of settlement can be addressed.
When leveling is worth considering
Leveling is commonly evaluated when a slab is intact but has dropped, tilted, or developed an uneven transition. It can reduce demolition and may return the area to use sooner than a complete tear-out and repour.
When replacement may be the better choice
Replacement may be appropriate when concrete is extensively cracked, crumbling, undersized, structurally compromised, or needs a major redesign. It may also be necessary when the required elevation cannot be achieved safely.
Appearance and crack expectations
Lifting changes elevation; it does not make old concrete look new or erase existing cracks and stains. Injection holes are patched, and lifted slabs may still differ visually from adjacent concrete.
Evaluate drainage and the underlying cause
Ask why the slab settled and where water will go after repair. Lifting can improve slope in some situations, but ongoing erosion, downspout discharge, or broader drainage problems may require separate work.