Sunken Concrete Affects Driveway Slope
Concrete driveways are built with a slope to help water drain, but when that concrete starts to sink, the carefully calculated slope is thrown off, and problems arise. The good news is concrete can be lifted back into place with polyurethane foam.
Why is slope important?
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance. When pouring a concrete driveway, contractors add a slope to influence flow direction.
Driveways are sloped away from homes, garages, or retaining walls, and water is directed toward street-level drains, grassy areas, or other appropriate places.
Ensuring a driveway has a slope stops water from pooling or settling. If a driveway is entirely flat, building up the middle ensures water runs off the sides and doesn’t pool.
How is the driveway slope determined?
While driveway slope depends on the property's topography, a general rule says a driveway should be less than a 15% grade. For many, this means ¼” of a drop for every foot of length.
Why is my driveway sinking?
Your driveway concrete may be sinking for several reasons, ranging from poor ground preparation to water and drainage issues. (Read more about what causes concrete to sink.)
What might happen if a sunken driveway is ignored?
Erosion & Washout - If sunken concrete results from underlying soil issues, ignoring the problem will only worsen it. It results in washouts or areas where the soil has eroded.
Standing Water - When concrete sinks and a driveway's slope is changed, the result can be standing water. If the water is adjacent to the drive, it may cause a muddy mess. If it’s on the driveway itself, pools of water can form.
Structural Damage - Sunken concrete may re-route water to places it's not supposed to flow - like into a home’s basement or garage. This can lead to mold, wood rot, or foundation issues.
Vehicle Damage - Parking a vehicle on uneven surfaces causes the car's weight to be unevenly distributed and can lead to tire damage or vehicle suspension issues.
Property Liability Hazard - Sunken concrete is a tripping hazard in good weather and can cause treacherous icy patches to form in cold weather.
How can you repair a sunken driveway?
Polyurethane foam can lift and level sinking or settling concrete, helping repair your driveway. The process includes drilling small holes into your concrete before injecting polyurethane foam, which expands to fill all videos beneath the driveway. (See step-by-step instructions on how polyurethane foam lifts concrete.)
The foam will cure 100% in as little as 30 minutes, meaning the driveway can be used again soon after work is complete.
What’s next?
At Pro Lifting Solutions, we are concrete lifting experts. We offer FREE estimates. Fill out our online form today to request an estimate.