Concrete Sidewalk Repair & Leveling

Concrete Sidewalk Repair and Leveling Solutions

Sidewalks are exposed to a lot of wear and tear. When the soil supporting a cement sidewalk slab becomes weak, it can crack and sink. There are many things that can create a void beneath the sidewalk slab, such as erosion from rainwater, or a tree root that has rotted over time. Poor yard drainage and dirt fill underneath the slab that has not been well compacted can also make erosion worse and create voids beneath the concrete. Uneven sidewalk slabs are a tripping hazard for your family, guests and neighbors.

Regardless of what's caused your sidewalk to sink, settle or crack, we can fix it. At Thrasher, we begin with PolyLevel(R) to lift, level and stabilize your sidewalk. For small and mid-size sidewalk cracks, we use NexusPro to fill and seal cracks and control joints after lifting and leveling the sidewalk slabs with PolyLevel.

Before & After

May 01, 2019 | Before & After Concrete Driveway Joint Sealant Adds Protection Against Future Damage Our silicone-based sealant, NexusPro, looks great, and works better than traditional, off-the-shelf caulking to protect your concrete from the elements.

March 01, 2019 | Before & After Long Narrow Driveway Repaired with PolyLevel Our crews utilized PolyLevel polyurethane foam and NexusPro concrete joint sealant to lift, level and protect this long, narrow concrete driveway.

October 02, 2018 | Before & After Settling Concrete Driveway Slabs Lifted and Leveled with PolyLevel Thrasher lifted and leveled this concrete driveway to close a 4-inch gap between the driveway and garage floor, preventing future foundation damage.

See all Before & After

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is my cracked concrete sidewalk beyond repairing?

  With our comprehensive concrete protection system, it's rare that we come across a sidewalk that can't be repaired. For small and mid-size sidewalk cracks, we use NexusPro to fill and seal cracks and control joints after lifting and leveling the sidewalk slabs with PolyLevel.

• Is repairing my sinking sidewalk more cost-effective than a full replacement?

  Yes. Concrete sidewalk leveling with PolyLevel is not only less expensive than full concrete replacement, it's also a much quicker repair process and far less disruptive to the surrounding grass and landscaping. There's almost no waiting for the concrete to cure before you can walk on it, and unlike concrete replacement, PolyLevel actually fills voids and compacts underlying soil, which stabilizes your concrete for years to come.

• What's your process for cement sidewalk repair and leveling?

  Polylevel polyurethane foam is pumped beneath concrete sidewalk slabs through tiny ports about the size of a penny. Initially, Polylevel flows like water, filling even the smallest cracks and crevices in the soil. It quickly expands and hardens, lifting the concrete slabs above it and compressing the soil around it at the same time. Polylevel is waterproof, so it will never wash out, and it won't degrade over time due to temperature extremes. It's environmentally friendly, too, with no environmentally harmful chemical leaching. Best of all, Polylevel cures quickly, allowing your concrete to be used normally the same day.

• What's the difference between PolyLevel(R) and mudjacking?

  There are several differences between PolyLevel and mudjacking - the material used, the installation process, and of course, the results. Mudjacking material is made up of a mud-cement-slurry mixture while PolyLevel is a lightweight, strong high-density polyurethane foam. Mudjacking requires a messy, disruptive installation process and larger port size than PolyLevel polyurethane foam. And finally, mudjacking doesn't address the underlying issue (stability) as well as PolyLevel does. Concrete sidewalks sink and crack due to the soil below expanding, contracting, washing out and leaving voids into which the heavy concrete slabs sink. Mudjacking material is heavy, adding more weight on top of the already unstable soil, and is susceptible to the same issues of wash out and void creation. PolyLevel is waterproof, so it won't wash away or degrade over time. During installation, the expanding foam not only raises concrete slabs, but also compacts the soil around it, adding stability to help prevent future sinking and settling. You can read more about PolyLevel vs. mudjacking here on our blog.

• How long does sidewalk crack filler last?

  The key to any sidewalk crack filler project is how it's sealed after being filled. Concrete sealant prevents water infiltration through cracks and joints, which in turn helps prevent the soil below from softening and eroding over time. Our high quality, silicone-based sealant, NexusPro, and professional installation process have been proven to last over 20 years - more than twice as long as traditional urethane-based sealants. NexusPro stands up to any weather conditions and is UV-resistant to prevent drying, cracking, bubbling or yellowing.

• What kinds of materials do you use for sidewalk leveling?

  At Thrasher Foundation Repair, we use PolyLevel polyurethane foam to lift and level sidewalks and walkways. Polylevel is a lightweight, strong high-density polyurethane foam developed by our sister company Supportworks and only available to an exclusive network of foundation and concrete repair contractors. It lifts and supports concrete sidewalk slabs without adding weight to the soil beneath, and it's waterproof, so it won't wash out or dry out like traditional mudjacking material. It's environmentally friendly, too, with no environmentally harmful chemical leaching. Concrete leveling with PolyLevel expanding foam not only raises concrete slabs, but also compacts the soil around it, creating a stable environment that will ensure that your sidewalk remains level into the foreseeable future.

• My sidewalk is lifted. How do you repair a raised sidewalk?

  Uneven or raised sidewalk slabs are very common, as the soil beneath shifts and erodes over time. The moisture level in the soil beneath your sidewalk can vary depending on nearby gutter downspouts, varying dirt fill compact, and natural weather patterns. This means your sidewalk slabs may shift and settle at varying rates, causing some slabs to raise while others sink. We repair a raised sidewalk by lifting the surrounding concrete slabs to create an even and level surface. Then, we seal the entire surface to keep water out and help prevent the problem from happening again in the future.

• Could I do sidewalk repairs myself?

  In short, it depends. While small cracks in your concrete can likely be patched with a sidewalk crack filler from your local big box store, this won't fix the underlying settlement problem and more cracks can form in your sidewalk. Do-it-yourself repairs might be less expensive, but they are messy, require special tools and equipment, and it can be as long as 30 days before you're able to apply significant weight to it again (like your car, for example).