5 Common Causes of Concrete Leveling Issues
You’re walking around your house and something just doesn’t seem right. A subtle shift, maybe just a fraction of an inch, but you can feel it. Your floors aren’t quite level.
Your walls aren’t plumb, and suddenly you’re attuned to the slight off-kilter of everything. It might be a problem with the ground being uneven, which is something that a lot of homeowners deal with. Let’s take a look at 5 common causes of concrete leveling issues.
Soil Erosion and Settling
The Invisible Culprit
Sometimes the most significant problems start small—microscopic even. First on this list of common causes is erosion. Erosion is the gradual wearing away of something, and in this context, it’s the soil under your concrete surfaces.
Water is one of the Earth’s most powerful shaping forces, and that includes the soil under your home. Over time, water can wash away the soil supporting your concrete. creating voids beneath the surface, which leads to settling and leveling issues.
Visible Consequences
When erosion goes unchecked, you’ll start seeing symptoms of soil settling. Cracks will form, and these aren’t just unsightly; they’re structural weaknesses that can lead to more severe issues if not addressed.
Solutions
To fight erosion, ensure proper drainage around your home. Regularly check downspouts, gutters, and the grade of your soil to ensure water flows away from your home. For settled concrete, a technique called mud jacking can often restore level surfaces. Pumping a slurry of soil and concrete beneath to fill voids and provide support.
Poor Initial Soil Compaction
The Problem at the Core
When your home was built, great care was taken to prepare the ground to support the foundation. One of those crucial steps is soil compaction — the dense packing of soil to the right specifications. Sometimes people rush the process or do not complete it to industry standard. Which can result in uneven settling of the ground and, eventually, your concrete.
Identifying the Issue
Level floors and consistent wall heights aren’t just aesthetic; they provide support for the overall structure. Poor compaction may manifest as visible cracks, uneven floors, or even gaps between the walls and the ceilings.
Repair Tactics
Addressing poor compaction requires a professional assessment. This typically involves removing the affected concrete areas, re-compacting the soil, and pouring new concrete. Prevention is key, so ensure any upcoming construction work involves compacted soils to code.
Tree Roots
Nature’s Interventions
Nature and human dwellings often create a tug of war, especially when it comes to trees. On one hand, they provide shade and tranquility. On the other, their roots can be a destructive force. Tree roots seek moisture and can draw water out from beneath your concrete, while also disturbing the soil through their growth.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Uneven concrete typically in the form of slabs like patios or sidewalks, are common signs that tree roots may be the culprit. Foundation walls can also be affected, causing them to lean inward slightly due to the pressure of mature root systems.
Mitigation Strategies
If possible, strategic tree removal or root pruning may solve the problem. Filling root-caused voids and mud-jacking affected areas can provide a remedy. Going forward, consider selecting tree species with less invasive root systems for areas close to your home.
Plumbing Leaks and Invasive Water
Unseen Aggressors
Plumbing under your concrete plays a critical, unseen role in maintaining a level foundation. But leaks can introduce water where it shouldn’t be. Over time, this excess moisture can erode supporting soil, cause voids, and lead to the settlement of the concrete above.
Indicators of Trouble
If you start to notice unexpected spikes in your water bill or you hear the sound of running water when all faucets are off, you may have an underground leak. Settling often follows, leading to visible cracks, uneven floors, or shifting walls.
Rectifying the Issue
Detecting and repairing plumbing leaks under concrete can be challenging and often requires the expertise of a professional. Repairing the concrete itself may follow leak remediation, and it’s imperative to ensure the underlying soil is stabilized.
Poor Drainage and Water Management
The Role of Hydrostatic Pressure
Water is the arch-nemesis of many home foundation issues – especially when it doesn’t move away from the structure. One of the most common causes, Poor drainage allows water to gather around the foundation, increasing hydrostatic pressure. This pressure can push against the concrete, causing it to tilt or crack as it yields to the watery force.
Reading the Signs
One of the most common signs of poor drainage can be found in basements. If you notice water seepage or damp walls, it’s a strong indicator that hydrostatic pressure is at play. However, this force can affect all parts of the home, leading to a multitude of leveling issues.
Counteracting Hydrostatic Pressure
The key to mitigating hydrostatic pressure is efficient water management. This can include sloping the ground away from your foundation, maintaining gutters and downspouts, and even the installation of French drains. Addressing settled concrete in these cases may involve mud-jacking, new drainage pathways, and in extreme cases, structural reinforcements.
Final Thoughts
Concrete leveling issues are not just a matter of aesthetics or comfort. they can indicate more profound problems with your home’s foundation. Luckily, understanding the common causes of these issues allows homeowners to take proactive measures to prevent or address them.
It’s critical to be vigilant and address even the most subtle of changes, as they may be the first signs of a larger problem. Remember, your home’s structural integrity is only as strong as the ground it stands on—literally.
