Sunken Walkway Creates High Step in Saint Louis, MO
Concrete slabs are heavy and over time the soil underneath the concrete may not be able to support the weight anymore. This is what happened with this Saint Louis, MO homeowner's walkway. The slab of the walkway had sunken over the years and pulled away from the step above. Unexpected high steps like this can pose tripping and falling hazards that might result in an injury. There are multiple reasons that this can happen but one major reason is soil underneath the slab compacting under the weight of the concrete due to soil type or soil that wasn't compacted properly at the time of installation. Woods recommends PolyLevel injections for situations like this where concrete has sunken to lift it back to even with the step.
Uneven Walkway Poses Tripping Hazard in Saint Louis, MO
Some of the concrete slabs of this Saint Louis homeowner's walkway had sunken over years. It made the path uneven with some slabs sitting over an inch higher than others. This tripping hazard may be caused by voids underneath the slabs caused by water eroding away the soil that supports it. Woods injects PolyLevel, a two part expanding foam, through small, penny sized holes in the slab to fill these voids. As the PolyLevel expands, it lifts the slabs back up to level position with the other slabs. PolyLevel is a much more permanent than other concrete leveling methods because it's waterproof, so it will not wash away, and it's lightweight so it will not add weight to the existing soil. Mudjacking isn't waterproof and it's heavy because it's a mixture of concrete and soil so it is only a temporary fix that doesn't address the underlying settling issues.
Cracked, Uneven Concrete Slabs of Driveway in Saint Louis, MO
If the soil settlement underneath a concrete slab isn't uniform, the slab can crack as it did in this homeowner's driveway in Saint Louis, MO. Voids from washed away soil can cause part of the slab to sink and break off. Over time, the cracking will worsen and the slabs will become more uneven. Homeowners may consider replacing the concrete but it's much quicker and less costly lift and support the slabs. PolyLevel expands to fill these voids and prevent future damage to the slabs. Woods also recommends sealing cracks with NexusPro. NexusPro is a silicone-based sealant for joints and cracks that can stand up to harsh weather conditions. It's durable, long-lasting and flexible. It resists UV rays so it won't crack, bubble or dry. NexusPro can also be detailed to the aesthetic taste of the homeowners.