How to Keep Your Concrete from Sinking, and What to Do if it Does

As the weather warms up and you’ve begun to spend more time outside, you may notice that your concrete has started sinking over the winter months. If this is the case, don’t worry– we’ve got some tips for you! 

Sealing

It is essential to seal all open cracks to avoid any water seeping in and destroying the base of the concrete. The concrete cracking is already causing stress to the base, but the addition of any water being let in will only make this worse over time. This is why we find it so critical to seal any cracks or joints. 

Distance from the Slab

Following the above, another key step to avoiding your concrete sinking is ensuring your downspouts release water five feet away from any concrete slab. In addition to this, it is just as important to have a compact layer of soil to build a solid foundation to avoid any water from seeping below your concrete surface. 

My Concrete Already Sunk– What Do I Do?

You have two options– you can either start from scratch or choose to fix the problem. Starting from scratch would involve tearing out the old concrete and putting in a full new slab while also calling a contractor who will likely contact someone to make sure there aren’t any electrical lines or gas lines prior to removal. You then will begin demolition, excavation, apply sub-grade, and lastly, pour the concrete. If your concrete slab is still in good condition, it is also possible to grind down the top layer of existing concrete to add a new slab on top!