Residential Concrete Lifting in Calgary
FOAMExperts provides residential concrete lifting in Calgary for sunken driveways, walkways, patios, pool decks, garage slabs and entrance areas. We inject polyurethane foam beneath suitable concrete to fill accessible voids, restore support and carefully raise uneven sections.
Every project starts with an assessment of the concrete, drainage and surrounding ground. This helps us determine whether lifting, stabilization or replacement is the right option.
Concrete Lifting
Level Sunken Concrete Around Your Home
Concrete around a home can settle when the soil or base beneath it loses support. This may leave uneven joints, gaps beneath slab edges or surfaces that direct water toward the house.
Polyurethane concrete lifting may improve the position of a settled slab without removing the entire surface. The material is injected through small access holes and expands beneath the concrete in controlled amounts.
Residential concrete lifting may help address:
- Uneven driveway sections
- Sidewalk trip hazards
- Sunken patios
- Low pool-deck areas
- Garage floors that slope incorrectly
- Garage aprons below the entrance
- Settled front steps or entrance slabs
- Rocking or hollow concrete
- Water collecting on low sections
The concrete must remain strong enough to lift. Existing cracks, stains and surface wear may remain visible after the work.
Concrete Surfaces
Residential Concrete Surfaces We Lift
Concrete Driveways
Driveways often settle near the garage, between slab sections or along unsupported edges. This can create hard vehicle transitions, water pooling and gaps beneath the concrete.
We inspect the driveway slope, garage elevation, nearby sidewalks and drainage direction before planning the lift.
Sidewalks and Walkways
Uneven paths can create trip hazards and make entrances harder to use. Settled panels may also hold water or direct runoff toward the home.
Polyurethane lifting may restore a smoother transition between suitable private sidewalk sections.
Patios and Pool Decks
Patios and pool decks may settle beside walls, steps, fences or drainage channels. Low areas can collect water or create unsafe edges.
The assessment considers nearby landscaping, pool structures, utilities and drainage before lifting begins.
Garage Floors and Aprons
A settled garage floor may hold water, affect the garage-door seal or create an uncomfortable vehicle transition. The exterior apron may also sink independently from the interior floor.
We review the slab condition, wall connection, drainage, utilities and any known in-floor heating.
Entrance Slabs and Steps
Settled entrance concrete may affect door clearance, accessibility and the transition between steps and walkways.
The slab must have enough space to move without placing damaging pressure on the house, steps or nearby surfaces.
Basement Floor Slabs
Selected basement floor slabs may be suitable for lifting or stabilization. Interior projects require careful review of utilities, walls, floor coverings, drainage and structural conditions.
Basement slab settlement should not automatically be treated as foundation movement. Structural concerns may require further professional assessment.
Concrete Settlement
Signs of Residential Concrete Settlement
Residential concrete should be assessed when you notice:
- One slab sitting lower than the next
- A driveway below the garage floor
- Water flowing toward the house
- Standing water on a walkway or patio
- Rocking or moving concrete
- Hollow sounds beneath a slab
- Gaps below exposed edges
- Raised joints that create trip hazards
- Garage doors or gates no longer aligning
- New or widening cracks around a settled section
These signs do not confirm that concrete lifting is suitable. They show that the slab and the support beneath it should be inspected.
Concrete Sinks
Why Concrete Sinks Around Calgary Homes
Concrete usually sinks after the base or soil beneath it loses support.
Poorly Compacted Soil
Soil placed during construction may compress over time if it was not compacted correctly. The slab above it can then settle into the space created below.
Water Erosion and Washout
Water can carry fine soil away from beneath concrete. Downspouts, poor grading, leaking pipes and concentrated runoff may contribute to hidden gaps.
Freeze-Thaw Movement
Moisture in the ground can freeze, expand and later thaw. Repeated seasonal movement may weaken support beneath exterior concrete.
Backfilled Ground Beside Foundations
Soil beside foundations is often disturbed during construction. Driveways, paths and patios built over this area may settle as the backfill compresses.
Plumbing or Irrigation Leaks
Underground leaks can soften or wash away supporting material. The source of the water may need to be corrected before lifting.
Heavy Loads
Vehicles, storage and equipment can place additional pressure on a weak base or unsupported slab.
Utility Trenches and Disturbed Ground
Soil around utility trenches may settle differently from the surrounding undisturbed ground.
Our Work Process
How Residential Concrete Lifting Works
Inspect the Concrete
We assess the slab condition, elevation, cracks, drainage, access and nearby property features.
Plan the Injection Points
Injection locations are selected based on the settlement pattern and accessible spaces beneath the slab.
Drill Small Access Holes
Small holes allow the injection equipment to place polyurethane foam beneath the concrete.
Inject Polyurethane Foam
The material expands beneath the slab, fills accessible voids and applies controlled lifting pressure.
Monitor the Slab
The technician watches the movement of the concrete and nearby joints during injection.
Seal and Inspect
The access holes are sealed after the work. The final elevation, transitions and surrounding area are then checked.
The duration and return-to-use time depend on the surface, amount of settlement, foam product and expected load.
Residential Concrete Lifting
Residential Concrete Lifting vs Replacement
Concrete lifting and replacement suit different conditions.
Consideration | Concrete lifting | Concrete replacement |
Existing slab | Keeps suitable concrete | Removes the old slab |
Demolition | Usually limited | Required |
Surface finish | Existing appearance remains | New concrete finish |
Existing cracks | Usually remain visible | Removed with old concrete |
Site disruption | Often lower | Usually higher |
Ground access | Through injection points | Full work area required |
Best suited to | Settled but sound slabs | Broken or deteriorated slabs |
Consideration | Concrete lifting | Concrete replacement |
Existing slab | Keeps suitable concrete | Removes the old slab |
Demolition | Usually limited | Required |
Surface finish | Existing appearance remains | New concrete finish |
Existing cracks | Usually remain visible | Removed with old concrete |
Site disruption | Often lower | Usually higher |
Ground access | Through injection points | Full work area required |
Best suited to | Settled but sound slabs | Broken or deteriorated slabs |
Concrete lifting may be suitable when the slab remains structurally sound and has enough room to move.
Replacement may be better when the concrete is severely broken, badly deteriorated, too weak to lift or affected by a wider structural problem.
Protecting Drainage
Protecting Drainage Around the Home
Levelling concrete may improve drainage where the slab has settled and enough movement is available. However, lifting cannot correct every drainage problem.
The assessment should consider:
- Downspout locations
- Ground slope
- Water flow toward the home
- Existing drains
- Nearby slab elevations
- Door and garage heights
- Landscaping
- Underground leaks
- Available lifting space
Drainage repairs may be needed before or after the concrete is lifted.
When Residential Concrete Lifting May Be Suitable
Concrete lifting may be considered when:
- The slab remains strong enough to move
- Settlement has created an uneven surface
- Accessible voids exist beneath the concrete
- The slab has enough lifting space
- Nearby structures allow controlled movement
- The existing concrete finish is acceptable
- The cause of settlement can be managed
Final suitability depends on inspection.
When Concrete Replacement May Be Better
Replacement or further assessment may be required when:
- The concrete is severely cracked or broken
- The slab is badly deteriorated
- Reinforcement has failed
- Structural foundation movement is suspected
- Underground services require excavation
- The concrete is too thin or weak
- The required elevation cannot be reached safely
- A completely new surface is required
Concrete lifting does not make old concrete look new. Its purpose is to restore support and improve the slab position where conditions allow.
Residential Concrete Lifting Cost Factors
The cost of residential concrete lifting depends on:
- Surface size
- Amount of settlement
- Accessible voids
- Foam volume
- Number of injection points
- Slab thickness
- Property access
- Surface type
- Drainage conditions
- Additional sealing or repair work
An accurate quote requires photographs, measurements or an on-site assessment.
FAQ
Residential Concrete Lifting FAQs
Can every residential concrete slab be lifted?
No. The slab must remain strong enough to move. Severely broken, deteriorated or structurally affected concrete may require replacement.
Can cracked concrete be lifted?
Some cracked slabs may be lifted when the individual sections remain suitable. Existing cracks usually remain visible and may change during lifting.
How long does residential concrete lifting take?
Project time depends on the slab size, access, amount of settlement and injection requirements. Small walkways and large driveways should not be given the same timeframe.
When can the concrete be used again?
Return-to-use time depends on the foam product, surface and expected load. FOAMExperts provides project-specific guidance after the work.
How long does residential concrete lifting last?
Long-term performance depends on drainage, ground movement, slab condition, loading and whether the original cause of settlement has been managed.
Will the injection holes remain visible?
The injection holes are sealed after the work. The colour and texture of the repair material may not perfectly match the existing concrete.
Will concrete lifting remove existing cracks?
No. Existing cracks normally remain visible. Their alignment may improve, remain unchanged or move as separate slab sections are raised.
Request a Residential Concrete Assessment
Send FOAMExperts information about the affected surface, including:
- Property address
- Type of concrete surface
- Approximate dimensions
- Wide photographs
- Close-ups of uneven joints
- Visible gaps beneath the slab
- Drainage concerns
- Property access details
We will review the information and advise whether an on-site assessment is required.
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