There are many reasons why concrete slabs can begin to shift or sink over time. These slabs are relatively heavy and weigh on average around 500lbs. That is a significant load so when the soil or fill underneath the concrete becomes unstable the weight becomes too much and movement or sinking can occur.
This process usually happens over an extended period of time and could take many months, if not years to even become noticeably displaced from brand new levels. One thing is certain, however. If the process of tilted or cracked slabs has begun, you can bet on it getting worse and worse. This could end up causing more damage and result in the need for more extreme and costly repair or replacement options.
Greenstar Insulation in the Shreveport and Bossier City area can fix these issues early on with a professional concrete lifting service. Call us right away if you are experiencing sinking or unlevel concrete on your property. With a free inspection and no cost estimate, we are Shreveport and Bossier City Louisiana’s premier concrete leveling solution for all your unlevel or sinking concrete needs.
Soil Compaction And Settling
Depending on where you live, your native soil could look very different from one area to another. Some soils are obviously going to be softer and finer than others which can be more prone to shrinking and therefore more extreme compaction. Specific soil blends with more clay and/or silt will compact and settle as the soil dries out.
This translates into concrete slabs poured over these types of soils to sink at a more accelerated rate. As the soil continues to compact under heavy concrete slabs, it is likely that slabs will either sink or crack under the pressure of additional heavy loads, if compaction is uneven in some areas. Voids, or pockets form under the concrete and don’t have the proper foundation to hold up against other heavy loads putting pressure on these weaker areas over time. These cracks will likely continue to get worse over time.
Soil Washout Is Going To Happen Over Time
This type of soil redistribution is more obvious for most people, especially if you live in an area with heavy rainfall and frequent severe storms. For the Shreveport and Bossier City area, that likely means you’re getting close to 100 days of rainfall each year which translates to an above-average amount of soil runoff for your foundational soil underneath concrete slabs.
Whether it’s your sidewalks, decks, patios, or driveways, it is important to backfill soil when needed and redirect water runoff if you see water flowing over your concrete slabs. As water moves over or around those areas, the soil becomes saturated with water and is easily displaced. Over time this will create a void underneath your concrete foundation and slabs will begin to sink and/or crack. It is important to keep gutters clean and water channeling systems functional to aid in proper drainage.
Sinking Concrete Slabs Simple Solution
Greenstar Insulation specializes in recognizing troubled areas and rooting the problem out before it starts, in most cases. If a significant washout has already occurred and the need for support underneath your slabs is dire, your Concrete leveling experts can repair your sunken concrete back to optimal levels. Give Greenstar Insulation a call today for a free consultation or for more information.