Concrete slabs sink when the soil under them washes out or settles. The result is a trip edge on the walkway, a garage floor that slopes the wrong way, or front steps pulling away from the house.
We drill small holes, inject a dense foam that expands under the slab and lift it back into place. It usually takes a few hours and you can walk on it right away. If the slab is broken into pieces, we will tell you replacement is the better buy.
Signs
What you might be seeing
- A trip edge between walkway slabs
- Front steps pulling away from the house
- Patio slabs sloping toward the foundation
- A garage floor sinking at the door
- Gaps under slabs you can see into
- Water pooling where it used to drain
Honest sorting
Cosmetic or structural?
- A slab about 6 mm out of line: a quick grind can remove the trip edge
- Surface flaking or scaling (a resurfacing job, not lifting)
- Slabs that tip water back toward the foundation
- Steps that have dropped and pulled away from the wall
- Hollow-sounding slabs with big gaps underneath
Rough guides from our inspections, not engineering rules. We measure before we tell you which side yours is on.
Not sure which group yours is in?
A free inspection measures it. You get the readings and the answer in writing, even if the answer is "leave it alone."
Method
How we fix it
-
01
Check the slab
We tap and measure to find gaps underneath, and check that the slab is whole enough to lift.
-
02
Drill small holes
About 16 mm wide, a few per slab. Much smaller than the holes older mudjacking needs.
-
03
Lift with foam
Foam goes in short bursts while we watch a laser level, so the slab rises evenly and stops exactly where we want it.
-
04
Patch and seal
Holes are patched to match and joints are sealed, so water does not wash the soil out again.
Prices
Price ranges
Planning ranges in Canadian dollars for typical Ottawa-area homes, HST extra. Your written quote after the inspection is a fixed price.
| Job | Range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Walkway or patio section Per section, about 1.2 by 1.2 m | $350–$650 |
| Front steps Per set, lifted and sealed to the house | $900–$1,800 |
| Garage floor Single-car garage, part or all of the slab | $1,500–$3,800 |
| Joint sealing Flexible sealant in cleaned joints | $4–$8 per ft |
Typical total
Most lifting jobs run $800 to $2,500, often about half the cost of new concrete.
Honesty note
Lifting works on slabs that are in one piece. Badly broken or crumbling concrete should be replaced, and we will say so rather than lift it.
Warranty. Lifted slabs: 5-year warranty on the lift. Read the terms
Questions
Questions about concrete lifting
How soon can I use it?
Right away. The foam cures in about 15 minutes, so you can walk and drive on it the same day.
Is foam better than mudjacking?
Foam is lighter, needs smaller holes and is less likely to settle again. Mudjacking can cost a little less on some jobs. We use foam.
Can you lift a basement floor?
Sometimes. Basement slabs often crack from soil changes under them. We check whether lifting or replacing is the honest answer.
More answers on the FAQ page, or call (613) 555-0148.