Frequently Asked Questions!
Absolutely! Most concrete lifting projects involve repairs on cracked slabs. Cracks are intentionally directed with control joints on every concrete driveway (straight lines) and over time cracks will develop across some slabs as the base shifts or as tree roots make their way under the concrete. Driveway slabs can be lifted even when broken into 5 pieces, the cracks can also be repaired with our driveway caulking service!
Yes, concrete lifting when performed properly is just as permanent as if the concrete was replaced. Our concrete inspection that is included in every free estimate will determine the root cause of your concrete damage and provide thorough recommendations to prevent future damage.
Every city has different permit requirements but typically a permit is not required for concrete lifting, permits are typically required for concrete replacement.
Yes! A residential builders license is required by Michigan law when making repairs, additions, and improvements on residential property when contracts exceed $600 , a licensed builder is required to present their ID to every customer. All insurance requirements are met and kept current, proof of current General Liability is provided upon request.
The occasional stress cracks can occur during lifting especially if the concrete is thin or if the slabs are very large. These stress cracks are not common and if our caulking service is requested, we will caulk the new crack at no additional charge.
Yes, the injection holes are patched with a high strength vinyl concrete patch which will be the color of new concrete (almost white) once cured. The patch will begin to blend in with the surrounding concrete more every year but will be obvious for the first couple of years. The injection holes are only 1” diameter and are much less obvious than a new concrete slab. The quantity and placement of injection holes varies greatly, 3 – 9 holes per slab is typical.
In most cases we use Mason Sand (screened and washed) Extra High Yield Bentonite ( Specialty Clay derived from aged volcanic ash) and water. In some cases we will recommend using Portland cement as an additive to our typical mix to aid in structural integrity where water is present and moving constantly such as along seawalls and boat launches.
Within 1 hour!! The injection holes are patched with concrete and will be firm enough for traffic after 1 hour typically. The injection material is thick enough that the weight of a vehicle will not affect the base even when it is still wet, our base is the most stable masonry mixture available. If our polyurethane caulking service is performed on your driveway, it is ready for normal use after 48 hours.
Sometimes. Interior concrete floors can be lifted during the winter, exterior concrete slabs cannot be lifted once there is frost in the ground. Here in Michigan our concrete lifting season begins in March and comes to an end in December.
Yes! The only difference with lifting stamped concrete is in the patching process. Patching colored or stamped concrete requires coloring the patch material to better match the original color and the holes will be placed in areas of the stampings that can be more effectively camouflaged.
12 Inches. A slab will continue to lift as long as the injection material can be contained under the slab, when the material starts to squeeze out along the edges we have to manually hold the material in, or allow the fill to firm up for a couple days before continuing to lift. We have successfully lifted 12 inches on multiple occasions.
No. We considered using foam injection equipment for lifting concrete but after much consideration we decided to continue using a masonry mixture with use of different additives based on the site conditions. Polyurethane foam injection is much more expensive due to material cost, It has temperature restrictions resulting in a smaller window for the lifting season, and although foam cannot wash out from beneath the slab, the base that the foam is injected on top of can and will wash out if the control and expansion joints are not caulked. Foam can effectively lift concrete, but other than slightly smaller injection holes, our material performs equally well for a fraction of the price.
Sidewalk slabs typically start at $75 and driveway slabs are typically $125, however the pricing ranges based upon severity and quantity of work being completed. MI Concrete Lifting Inc keeps pricing simple, we have no coupons or discounts or limited time offers to give the illusion of a better deal.
Water gets the blame by almost everyone for concrete sinking, but in 10 years of full time concrete repair we have found that almost half of lifting projects were in very close proximity to the foundations of newer homes or in areas of the property that were built up with fill during site development making SETTLING FROM ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION our leading cause in Michigan. In second place is EROSION / WASH-OUT from open control and expansion joints on sloped areas of driveways and along the sides of driveways that are edged aggressively. Concrete is also lifted very frequently by tree roots causing major trip hazards on sidewalks and severe cracking on driveways MI Concrete Lifting Inc has solutions for that too!
No, however it is best to be home during the inspection or available on the phone. We ask a series of questions and deliver the process in more detail to ensure you have full understanding of the services being offered. There will never be high pressure sales tactics or schemes to close the deal, nobody likes a pushy sales person!
Most projects are completed within 2 to 9 hours depending on size and severity.
We use 1” diameter holes which has become the industry standard for masonry slurries. Larger holes compromise the structural integrity of the slab leading to multiple cracks developing over time with normal use.