Repairing a Sinking Concrete Driveway or Walkway

Tulsa is a wonderful place to live, but the region's dense clay soil can create serious problems for homeowners. If you've noticed that your concrete driveway or walkway is beginning to sink, don't wait. Reach out to a professional concrete contractor in Tulsa with the experience and skill to repair your sinking concrete driveway. Below, we'll discuss the best ways to handle the common problem of sunken concrete slabs on your walkway, patio, or driveway.

How To Repair Cracked or Sinking Concrete Driveways

After water, concrete is the second most-consumed material on the planet. For Tulsa homeowners, it's among the most popular material choices for driveways, patios, and walkways. While concrete is very durable, factors like faulty installation, soil erosion, and improper maintenance can result in sunken, cracked, and damaged slabs. Here are the simplest and most effective ways to fix sinking concrete.

1. Contact a Skilled Concrete Contractor in Tulsa 

For most homeowners, the easiest way to repair a sunken walkway or driveway is by working with a Tulsa concrete contractor. Of course, it's essential to choose a reputable contractor with the experience and skills to repair your driveway properly.

Don't make the mistake of hiring the cheapest contractor just to save a few bucks. If so, you could end up with the same problems just a few years down the road. Instead, hire a professional with a proven track record. They'll assess the damage, determine the type of concrete cracks or sinking affecting your driveway, and help you decide which repair method best suits your needs and budget.

2. Replace the Sinking or Damaged Concrete

One way to repair a sunken concrete driveway or walkway is with a complete replacement. This typically consists of breaking up the damaged slabs and then pouring new concrete. A full replacement may be the best option for Tulsa homeowners with severely damaged concrete. However, driveways or walkways with minimal damage may only need repairing, not replacing.

3. Slabjacking 

Slabjacking, or mudjacking, is another technique contractors use to lift sinking concrete slabs. It's an effective repair coupon method and much more affordable than a total replacement. During slabjacking, the contractor drills holes into the sunken slabs of concrete. Then, they fill in the holes with a grout mixture to lift the slab up to the proper height. It's quick, affordable, and causes minimal disruption to the surrounding landscape.

4. Polyurethane Concrete Raising

Polyurethane concrete raising is another effective way to repair sunken concrete. It's similar to slabjacking, but uses polyurethane spray foam instead to lift the concrete. The foam expands, filling in subgrade voids and improving structural stability. It's a fast way to repair sunken concrete and also prevents water from infiltrating below the slab.

A cracked and sinking concrete driveway, patio, or walkway isn't just an eyesore; its poor structural stability can be dangerous. Fortunately, you can easily fix sinking concrete slabs at your Tulsa home with help from a professional contractor. Whether you choose to replace your concrete or opt for simpler methods like slabjacking or polyurethane raising, it's important to fix the damage quickly, so your driveway stays safe and looks beautiful, too.