Concrete Replacement vs. Concrete Leveling: Which is Better?

Broken, uneven, or sunken concrete slabs need to be fixed as they pose numerous dangers, especially to pedestrians. Concrete replacement and concrete leveling are two methods that are commonly undertaken to correct this structural problem. While both can provide good, long-lasting results, the latter provides more advantages in terms of time, labor, and cost.

Concrete Replacement

As the name suggests, concrete replacement requires partial or complete removal of the broken concrete and then replacing it with a new slab. This technique can be time-consuming, which increases the risk of injury. Since it involves numerous processes, from drilling the concrete and putting up reinforcements to pouring the concrete mix, among others, this method will require more labor and help from machinery.

For projects or public sites that aren’t as sensitive to disturbances, this traditional method is viable, especially if there isn’t a limited amount of time to finish the project. However, these longer jobs must take other factors into consideration. Weather conditions such as rain can extend the project schedule.

Concrete Leveling

On the other hand, leveling the broken or uneven concrete involves fewer steps that involves drilling the concrete, pumping it up with polyurethane foam to level the surface, and finally patching the crack marks. What might normally take weeks for a replacement to accomplish will only take as little as 15 minutes with leveling, depending on the scope of work.

Carrying out leveling work can also be done without a building permit, since it isn’t as disruptive to the public compared to replacement. Concrete leveling is also a preferred option for many because it is cost-effective. While this method offers a quick fix, it doesn’t compromise the quality of the results.

In the end, both concrete replacement and leveling have their own advantages, but contractors and homeowners have more to gain by choosing the latter.

Trust the experts at Foundation Technology for professional concrete leveling or other foundation repair services for your home or business. Contact us today and ask us about our free inspection service.