If you’ve noticed uneven or sunken concrete on your property, whether it’s your driveway, garage floors, walkway, or patio, you’re likely wondering what the best repair method is. Should you go with concrete replacement or opt for concrete lifting? At True Level Concrete, we help property owners throughout British Columbia make informed choices that save you money while restoring the safety and appearance of your concrete surfaces.
Understanding the Problem
Over time, underlying soil can shift due to moisture changes, soil compaction, or erosion, causing sinking concrete and uneven concrete slabs. This often results in trip hazards, drainage problems, and visible cracks. In many cases, the existing concrete remains structurally sound, meaning a cost effective solution like concrete lifting could restore your old slab to its original position without the expense of full concrete replacement.
What Is Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting, also called concrete raising, slab jacking, or foam jacking, is an efficient method to lift sunken slabs back to grade using polyurethane foam. This lightweight concrete material expands beneath the existing slab, stabilizing the affected area and filling any voids in the underlying soil. The best concrete lifting methods provide long term stability and can be completed in just a few hours, with minimal disruption to your home or business.
At True Level Concrete, our concrete leveling process uses advanced polyurethane foam technology to raise and stabilize uneven concrete surfaces safely and precisely. This approach is clean, fast, and avoids the high cost and time consuming process of replacing concrete entirely.
When Concrete Replacement Makes Sense
There are times when full replacement is necessary. If your old concrete is severely cracked, structurally compromised, or if the entire slab has deteriorated beyond repair, a new concrete slab may be the best method. However, concrete replacement can be a labour intensive, time consuming, and costly process. It often involves heavy equipment, demolition of the existing concrete, disposal fees, new framing, and curing of the new concrete—a time consuming process that can take days or even weeks.
In addition, full concrete replacement creates more waste, increasing your environmental impact. For property owners seeking to reduce waste and avoid further damage to landscaping, concrete lifting is often a more cost effective and affordable solution.
Comparing Costs and Benefits
When it comes to concrete lifting vs replacement – what saves you more money? The answer depends on the condition of your current slab and the extent of the damage. On average, concrete lifting can save you money, up to 50% compared to full replacement, because it avoids labour costs, disposal fees, and the need for new concrete materials.
Concrete raising also requires only small holes to inject the polyurethane foam, leaving your original slabs intact and reducing downtime. Most projects are completed in a few hours, allowing you to return to normal use the same day. For most concrete issues involving sunken concrete slabs or uneven surfaces, concrete lifting offers the same functional results as replacement at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
Why Concrete Lifting Is the Smarter Choice
For most projects, concrete lifting is the cost effective solution that combines quality, speed, and durability. It’s ideal for damaged concrete, sunken slabs, garage floors, patios, driveways, and walkways. The process not only helps restore safety by eliminating trip hazards, but it also ensures long term stability by addressing the underlying soil issues that caused the problem in the first place.
By choosing to lift rather than replace, you’ll be reducing waste, minimizing environmental impact, and saving a significant amount of money—all while extending the lifespan of your existing slab.
Professional Assessment Matters
Not sure which is right for your property? A professional assessment from True Level Concrete will determine whether your damaged slab can be lifted or if full replacement is required. Our team will inspect your concrete surfaces, evaluate the underlying soil, and recommend the best method for your specific situation.
At True Level Concrete, we’ve spent over 25 years providing concrete repair, concrete leveling, and concrete raising services across BC. Whether your sunken concrete needs a quick lift or your foundation requires stabilization, our team offers the expertise, technology, and cost effective solutions to keep your concrete structurally sound and safe.
Contact us today for a free estimate and find out how our concrete lifting methods can save you money while delivering lasting results.
Proudly serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Vancouver Island.