Should I Repair or Replace My Concrete Walkway?

Your concrete walkway may settle. The process is gradual, but the concrete will eventually settle to the point where it becomes a visual distraction and even a trip hazard. This leads to the question: should I repair or replace the concrete? This is a legitimate question for North Texas homeowners as concrete settlement is all too commonplace in this region.

Repair Methods

In most instances, the concrete itself is hardly damaged and simply settling to the bottom. An expensive concrete replacement is not necessary; raising the concrete walkway is the far more sensible solution. The process of raising concrete is known as mud-jacking. It also goes by other names, such as slab-jacking and concrete leveling.

The process is quite simple. A slurry mixture of cement, clay and sand, or a similar solution is injected into the soil beneath the foundation. When the mixture hardens (usually within two hours), it fortifies the soil by filling in the gaps and air pockets that lead to the settling. This raises the concrete, so it’s flush with the surrounding driveway.

Unless damage to the concrete is significant, mud-jacking is a great option. It’s a cost-effective solution due to the non-invasive nature of the process. It can be completed within a single visit and does not require half the yard to be exhumed or existing concrete to be demolished. The cost is about half of the expense of a concrete replacement.

When Is Replacement Necessary?

There are scenarios where a complete replacement is the only option. Such may be the case when:

• The concrete slab is broken into many pieces
• The concrete has deteriorated

The above scenarios, however, can almost always be avoided by calling a professional the minute you recognize the concrete has slightly sunk or sloped at an uneven angle. As long as you don’t wait until the last minute (when the concrete splits or sinks to extreme depths), repair will always be the more feasible option.

Raise Your Settling Concrete Walkway

Do you need to level a concrete walkway? This is where Align Foundation Repair comes in. Give us a call; with just one visit to your home, we can raise the concrete to its original position. Do not let the problem linger, as the concrete will only settle further until damage requires a far more expensive and labor-intensive replacement. Call us today for a free in-person evaluation of your foundation and complimentary estimate!