Lubbock, TX · Concrete Leveling
Concrete Leveling in Lubbock
Concrete leveling in Lubbock with polyurethane foam or slurry, to lift sunken driveways, walks, patios and pool decks without tearing them out.
01 — What this covers
The work itself
- Polyurethane foam lifting
- Slurry lifting
- Driveway panels at the garage, curb or alley
- Sidewalk trip hazards
- Patios tilting toward the house
- Pool deck settlement
- Void filling under slabs
- Joint sealing after lifting
02 — Detail
Why slabs settle in Lubbock
Flatwork sinks when the support under it changes. In Lubbock that usually means fill around a house that keeps compacting, sandy soil washed out by water running under an edge, caliche softened by repeated wetting, or clay pockets shrinking in a long dry spell.
The signs are familiar: a driveway panel that dropped at the garage door, a walk that dips near the porch, a patio that now tilts toward the house and sends rain against the foundation.
When the slab is still in one or a few large pieces, it can usually be lifted back into place instead of replaced.
Spotting it early helps: a gap opening at the garage, a puddle that was not there last year or a step that feels higher than it used to are all signs worth photographing and sending with a request.
03 — Detail
Foam or slurry
Polyurethane foam lifting is the most common method used by Lubbock contractors. Small holes are drilled through the slab, and a foam is injected that expands, fills the voids and lifts the concrete. It is light, cures quickly and the slab can usually be used the same day.
Slurry lifting, often called mudjacking, pumps a cement-based slurry under the slab through larger holes. It is heavier and needs more curing time, and it can cost less on some jobs.
The contractor chooses the method based on the void, the soil and how the slab is used. Both leave patched holes that are visible up close.
04 — Detail
What leveling cannot fix
Leveling restores support under intact slabs. It cannot rebuild concrete that is broken into many pieces, crumbling at the surface or badly scaled, and it cannot stop a slab from moving if the ground keeps changing.
It is also not a foundation repair. If the house itself shows signs of movement, such as wide interior cracks or sticking doors, call a foundation repair company.
The contractor will tell you if leveling is not the right answer for your slab.
05 — Detail
Common Lubbock leveling jobs
In the older neighborhoods around Texas Tech, Overton and Tech Terrace, long front walks and alley driveways that have dropped at joints are the most frequent requests. In newer subdivisions to the south and west, it is usually a driveway panel next to the garage that followed the backfill down.
Patios that tilt back toward the house are another common job across the city. Restoring their slope away from the foundation keeps rain from collecting against it.
Sidewalk panels with a trip edge are often lifted to meet their neighbors, which is quicker and cheaper than replacing both.
06 — Detail
Driveways, walks and patios
Driveway panels at the garage, curb or alley are the most common leveling jobs. Lifting them restores a smooth transition and sends water away from the garage again.
Sunken walks create trip hazards, and lifting removes them quickly. For sidewalks in the public right-of-way, the city's permit rules apply.
Patios that tilt toward the house are worth lifting not just for looks but to restore drainage away from the foundation.
07 — Detail
Pool decks
Pool decks settle when the soil around the shell was not compacted well or when a leak washes it out. Lifting is possible, but any leak should be found and fixed first.
Crews locate pool plumbing and electrical lines under the deck before drilling.
After lifting, the joint at the coping is resealed to keep water out.
08 — Detail
Making the lift last
After the slab is lifted and the holes are patched, sealing joints and cracks stops water from washing out the support again.
Fixing the cause matters most: extending downspouts, adjusting sprinklers and filling low spots that hold water.
With the cause addressed, a lifted slab often stays level for many years.
09 — Detail
Lifting before winter
Sunken slabs collect water, and in Lubbock that water freezes in winter. Ice in a low spot on a walk or driveway is a slipping hazard, and repeated freezing in a puddle speeds up surface scaling.
Lifting low panels in fall, before the first hard freezes, removes those puddles and makes snow and ice easier to clear.
Foam lifting can be done in cool weather, though very cold temperatures can slow the material, so contractors plan around the forecast.
How we work
Step by step
- 01
Describe the sunken areas and send photos.
- 02
Site visit to measure and check the slab.
- 03
Written estimate for lifting or advice to replace.
- 04
Drilling, injection and controlled lifting.
- 05
Patching, joint sealing and drainage advice.
What it costs
Leveling pricing depends on the number and size of slabs, how far they must be raised and the method used. It is usually far less than replacement.
Questions
Concrete Leveling — asked and answered
Which method is most common in Lubbock?
Polyurethane foam lifting is the most common, with slurry as an alternative.
How soon can I use the slab?
Often the same day with foam, a day or so with slurry.
Can a cracked slab be lifted?
If it is in a few large pieces, usually yes.
Will it sink again?
Less likely when drainage problems are fixed, though active soil can move.
Does leveling fix foundations?
No. It is for flatwork. Foundations need a foundation repair company.
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