Skip to Main Content
installing PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting

Concrete Lifting

Concrete is known for its strength, and it’s commonly used to construct floors, sidewalks, and driveways. However, it can still break or develop cracks due to the softness of the soil underneath.

Get Your Free Estimate

Concrete is known for its strength, and it is commonly used to construct foundations, sidewalks, driveways, and pool decks. However, concrete can still break or develop cracks due to the softness of the soil underneath. Over time, the concrete can begin to sink, causing the slab to become uneven. Unstable concrete floors aren’t only eyesores, but they can turn into dangerous pathways causing tripping hazards and other accidents. If the concrete continues to sink, it will weaken the foundation of your home and further damage your property. Fortunately, this problem can be easily solved with professional concrete lifting. At Mount Valley Foundation Services, we offer PolyRenewal™ foam injections to effectively lift and stabilize your concrete structures.


Banner reads "10 Year Fixed Monthly Payments* Apply Now" beside a woman talking to a man in a uniform holding a clipboard.

Causes of Concrete Damage

Not only is cracked and uneven concrete an eyesore, but it also lessens your property value and can even cause serious injury from tripping and falling.

If your driveway, porch steps, or pool deck don’t have cracks throughout, they’re virtually waterproof, minus the fact that concrete is a porous material. Unfortunately, this ends when a crack spans across the length of the slab, causing water damage to the entire structure. These cracks can be caused by soil settlement or washout underneath the slab and can also result in unevenness and sinking.  

 
When the concrete starts to sink in certain places, any time it rains or snows, water will pool up in that area. This can be an indicator that more serious problems are at play that needs to be addressed immediately. 

When you walk across your driveway or concrete steps, do you notice that one side of the concrete is higher than the other? You may be dealing with uneven settling which is usually connected to the soil underneath the concrete. If this is the case, it’s important to have your concrete lifted back to its original position to avoid any tripping hazards. 

Thankfully places like Columbia and Greenville don’t experience harsh winters, but temperatures can still drop below freezing. If they do get snow, the snow will freeze the soil underneath and shrink it. When it thaws come spring, that soil will expand due to the excess moisture content. 

Both the expanding and the contracting of the soil underneath the concrete slabs around your home can cause cracking and sinking. It’s vital to make sure that your concrete is either treated with anti-freeze chemicals in the winter to prevent this or shovel any snow off it.  

Award-Winning Service

Groundworks, LLC BBB Business Review
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

We were very pleased with Juan and his team who did our crawl space water-proofing. The work was done professionally and with attention to …

We were very pleased with Juan and his team who did our crawl space water-proofing. The work was done professionally and with attention to detail. Meticulous clean up afterwards. We would highly recommend this company.

  • 4/
  • 4/
  • 4/
  • 4/
  • 4/
Review Logo

William, Greg and Lewis worked on our house for 2 days. They installed 7 push piers the 1st day and 9 IntelliJacks the 2nd day. They did…

William, Greg and Lewis worked on our house for 2 days. They installed 7 push piers the 1st day and 9 IntelliJacks the 2nd day. They did an excellent job with the installations. They back-filledthe holes, mortared the cracks and restored the landscaping so that it was almost impossible to tell any work was done. They were all very courteous, polite, professional and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend them. I would have given 5 stars, but one minor problem occurred. A light fixture was broken in the crawl space which I was not told about and discovered it after they left. I reported it to the company and a supervisor offered to come out to replace it, but I had already gotten replacement parts for it. It would have been nice if they offered a credit to my account instead. I wish I could give them 4 and 1/2 stars, but I'm limited to 4.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Justice came out to see what was happening to my home since i cannot hardly close my door. He was very fast at figuring out the problem. …

Justice came out to see what was happening to my home since i cannot hardly close my door. He was very fast at figuring out the problem. Now I just need thr next team to get here and do their part!! Mt Valley is a very good company to work with. I have all the confidence in the world with them!

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Dan Rubenstein showed up early, did a thorough inspection and provided an estimate with drawings within 90 minutes. Very professional. …

Dan Rubenstein showed up early, did a thorough inspection and provided an estimate with drawings within 90 minutes. Very professional. Highly reccomend.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Mount Valley Team did excellent job in timely fashion. Thanks to Nate, Lamonte, Morris, and Tevin for 5star job. Doors that haven’t shut in …

Mount Valley Team did excellent job in timely fashion. Thanks to Nate, Lamonte, Morris, and Tevin for 5star job. Doors that haven’t shut in years now close in my home. I would highly recommend this company!

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

From the initial inspection by Landon, through the foundation repait by Brantley, Pat, Julian and Bobby, through the pier and beam…

From the initial inspection by Landon, through the foundation repait by Brantley, Pat, Julian and Bobby, through the pier and beam installation by Matt and Tyron, to include the cost saving change, and finally the concrete leveling by Carnell and Desmond all work was done completely, professionally and timely with a constant flow of information on the process. Great work, timely arrival, superb coordination, and hard work is the entire team's standard at Mount Valley Foundation.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

I would like to thank the guys that did the work Donavan Rougeaux, Durand Rougeaux and Dre Nesbitt. There were a couple of other guys that …

I would like to thank the guys that did the work Donavan Rougeaux, Durand Rougeaux and Dre Nesbitt. There were a couple of other guys that worked on the first section but I do not remember their names but Donavan and Durand both worked on all parts of the basement. I could not of had any group of guys that were as nice and respectful as this group. I asked Donavon and Durand many questions and they always had answers for me and did not mind me asking so many questions. I actually asked that they have Donavon and Durand to be assigned the second part of the project. They were awesome and I would recommend Mt Valley to anyone. I actually have already told someone to call and if they had work done by Mt Valley to request Donavon and Durand. I am so happy with the workmanship and the attitude of the crew. They are hardworking gentlemen with a work ethic that is inspiring. Mt Valley you are fortunate to have such great employees, what they reflect on your company is worth a lot in today's world. Employees like these brothers and the people working with them is commendable. Thank you guys it was a pleasure meeting you. Larry, thank you for your help and thank you for having Donavon and Durand do this part. All three of the guys worked so very hard. Thank you guys, I appreciate all your hard work . You are a shinning example to all young people today.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

My crawlspace work was completed today. The process of getting the initial inspection and quote was easy and the work preformed looked very …

My crawlspace work was completed today. The process of getting the initial inspection and quote was easy and the work preformed looked very professional from the photos provided. Thank you Andy Williams and Ryan Peyesco y'all did an outstanding job!

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Cody and Justin were true professionals!! Will recommend them to all my friends and family

Cody and Justin were true professionals!! Will recommend them to all my friends and family

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Kevin and Michael were very professional and easy to work with. So much so, I'm now going to have my pool deck raised

Kevin and Michael were very professional and easy to work with. So much so, I'm now going to have my pool deck raised

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

The crew that came were on time extremely professional and explained everything in detail very polite and we are very pleased with the work …

The crew that came were on time extremely professional and explained everything in detail very polite and we are very pleased with the work from Andrew,Darrell and Derrell job well done

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Josh, Connor and Dazon did an amazing job at my house! So informative and knowledgeable. They worked together as a real team to ensure my…

Josh, Connor and Dazon did an amazing job at my house! So informative and knowledgeable. They worked together as a real team to ensure my home crawl space was fixed. So courteous and made me feel comfortable and that they really cared about my home.Bless these outstanding, hard working young men.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Mount Valley Foundation turned out to be our saving grace. After consulting multiple local companies after my daughter's first home…

Mount Valley Foundation turned out to be our saving grace. After consulting multiple local companies after my daughter's first home purchase, this was the only company that responded promptly and professionally. Anderson Pusey was our point of contact, and from that initial consultation, not only was it obvious he was knowledgeable, but it was also evident he is passionate about helping people and following through on his commitment to his customers. Never have I experienced this level of dedication with any contractor. Having a "sales" person exhibit the level of care and service that Anderson has from start to finish is unheard of. To say Anderson went "above and beyond" is the understatement of the century. Use Mount Valley Foundation for your crawl space encapsulation needs as we did… you will not be disappointed. The crew that did the work, Jerrod Mazyck, Noah Jenkins, and Alex Myers were so polite, thorough, and an absolute joy to work with! I cannot recommend this company enough!

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Thorough and excellent job completed by two different crews. Harley and Darnell worked for about a week in demolition and extensive…

Thorough and excellent job completed by two different crews. Harley and Darnell worked for about a week in demolition and extensive foundation repair. Jarrod and Alex worked 3 longs days in drainage, waterproofing and moisture control. Dan worked to provide oversight on the project. Many thanks for the work done to restore my 55 year old crawlspace.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

I would like to give a Shout Out to Scott Wingard of Mount Valley Foundation Cayce, SC for his excellent work repair. His personality and…

I would like to give a Shout Out to Scott Wingard of Mount Valley Foundation Cayce, SC for his excellent work repair. His personality and expertise complemented his work! Thanks Mount Valley Foundation Cayce, SC!

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Tanner Welling did an excellent job. He was thorough and offered great information. Highly recommend.

Tanner Welling did an excellent job. He was thorough and offered great information. Highly recommend.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

The crew that came and did my latest repairs was awesome. Chris, Cody, and Pat were very professional and personable.

The crew that came and did my latest repairs was awesome. Chris, Cody, and Pat were very professional and personable.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Called to have some cracks in my slab foundation looked at. Will Hedgecock came out and looked at it and explained that this is a common…

Called to have some cracks in my slab foundation looked at. Will Hedgecock came out and looked at it and explained that this is a common problem with the soils here. I had a lot of anxiety about doing significant work to the house as I have just retired in the last year and still have a lot of decisions to make regarding if I will keep a residence here. Will was very understanding about my anxiety and gave me all of the options so I can relax and take the time I need to think through my overall situation thoroughly and make the best decision going forward. Will is not only an expert in the technical aspects of foundation issues but is very understanding. Will has returned every call and answered every question promptly. He took the time and effort to to help me see all of the elements of the "big picture" giving me the information I need to make the best decision.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Darrel, Derrick and Derrian were very professional, talked us through what had to be done and showed pictures of the actual work. I highly…

Darrel, Derrick and Derrian were very professional, talked us through what had to be done and showed pictures of the actual work. I highly recommend this company. They took care of an earlier problem with our foundation crawl space so we were pleased to call them again.

  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
  • 5/
Review Logo

Carnell and Desmond saved the Lake Frances Community!!! They swooped in and repaired six tripping Harvard’s in our common areas for a 70%…

Carnell and Desmond saved the Lake Frances Community!!! They swooped in and repaired six tripping Harvard’s in our common areas for a 70% of the cost and 10% of the time if we replaced the concrete. The best part is the five(5) year guarantee!!!

Is Concrete Lifting the Right Solution for Me? 

Although alternative concrete lifting methods exist on the market, none are more efficient and cost-efficient than polyurethane foam injections. Our specially designed expanding foam is lightweight, environmentally friendly, and easy to work with. The process is simple and only requires drilling penny-sized holes in the concrete, injecting the foam into the cavities, and patching the concrete to give it an even finish. The cure time is relatively quick, and in roughly 15 minutes, you’re able to freely use your concrete once more! We offer concrete repairs for floors, foundations, garages, patios, sidewalks, steps, and driveways.  

FAQs

The early signs of concrete settling are difficult to detect because most of it happens underground, at least in the very early stages. It’s not possible to notice the soil erosion that occurs under your Augusta-Aiken slab, both because it’s a process that takes place over a lengthy period of time and because it’s simply not possible to outright observe it because the concrete is in the way. Still, concrete settling signs appear eventually, and it’s up to you to keep an eye on your concrete structures so that you know when it’s time for repairs. If you let the settling advance too much, then you might have to replace the concrete, which is a more expensive procedure than concrete lifting.

The first sign of concrete settling is unevenness, which can easily be spotted in driveways, patios, sidewalks, and walkways. The more advanced the settling becomes, the more it will settle. A wobbly concrete step or slab is another sign of settling, even if there is no unevenness that you can visually detect. Cracks and craters are also common since concrete is more likely to break if it’s settling. This is because it’s not able to distribute weight if it’s not supported by an even base, so it cannot handle the pressure.

Look for gaps that form along the edge of the slab, right where the concrete meets the soil. If the soil next to the slab has eroded enough to form a gap, then the soil will expand in the future, and the slab will settle. This next sign is a bit more of a guess, but it can allow you to predict how much the soil under the concrete is eroding: try to notice how pitted the concrete is. Heavily pitted concrete will be more permeable than solid concrete, so moisture is able to reach the soil easily. The more eroded the soil is, the faster the concrete will settle.

The freeze-thaw effect describes the cycle water goes through as it turns into ice and then melts back into its liquid form. The freeze-thaw effect is part of the reason why it’s so important to protect your concrete from moisture exposure if you want to prevent structural damage. When water turns into ice, it expands by about 9%. It may not seem like it, but expanding ice is fully capable of displacing concrete particles. Every time there’s some sort of displacement, the concrete becomes structurally weaker with time.

The freeze-thaw cycle is capable of creating small craters both inside and along the surface of the concrete. Concrete is already impermeable, but with each new micro-tear, it allows moisture to seep through even more. As more and more water gets past the structure, the freeze-thaw cycle also displaces the soil underneath. Concrete settling advances, and then you have an uneven, structurally weak slab. The more porous concrete is, the worse its tensile strength is, so cracking is inevitable on a slab that has been exposed to moisture during the winter.

How dangerous exposure to the freeze-thaw cycle is depends on the severity of the winter climate. Although Greenville, SC, isn’t exactly a winter wonderland, there are enough nights out of the year where the temperature reaches at or below freezing for it to have an effect. Freeze-thaw is a lot more impactful on concrete with low psi, which is typically the case for slabs made for walkways, since they aren’t considered to be “heavy duty” slabs. Keeping the snow off of your concrete is an integral part of slab protection, so consider covering your concrete during the winter. This way, if your slab does settle, you can avoid having to replace it due to breakage that prevents repairs.

Concrete settling happens to every slab eventually. Settling happens because of two things outside of our control (the weather and the soil), so there’s not much we can do except protect our concrete as much as possible. The truth is, it’s impossible to tell how long it would take for a new concrete slab to settle, since the timeline depends on so many different factors. Even the concrete on your own property will not settle at the same time; your driveway slabs might settle before your patio slabs.

A big part of what causes concrete settling is the soil. In Charleston, SC, the soil is pretty sandy, so the erosion type needs to be considered. Sandy soils get displaced easily by water, so slabs that frequently get exposed to water are more likely to settle than others. This could be your driveway or your pool deck. To protect those areas, you can add a cover so that the concrete and the soil are both better protected from water.

Other outdoor slabs might also be better protected due to vegetation. If the concrete walkways you have around your yard have bushes and vegetation around them, then they might not be the first slabs to settle. Still, you should always be on the lookout for concrete settling, since it’s such an unpredictable thing. Keep in mind that if your brand new slab settles, it’s not a problem with the slab itself, and you can lift and stabilize it with a concrete lifting solution like SettleStop PolyRenewal™.

Steps can sink for quite a few different reasons, but it is typically related to the soil that they sit on in most cases. We have included a couple of the common ones below.  

  • Soil Washout 

The primary and most common cause of sinking steps is uneven soil or erosion underneath the steps. As mentioned above, if water continues to flow underneath the steps, it is eroding the soil and creating voids underneath the steps, which they will slowly sink into. The extent of soil washout can vary based on a few factors, but it is not impossible to prevent.  

There are around three primary causes of soil washout. The first of these is the particular type of soil that your home is built on. The second involves the general climate and weather in your area. And the third has to do with the drainage system of your home. Obviously, you cannot change the soil type of your yard and you cannot influence the weather, but you do have control over the efficiency of the drainage system in your home. A proper drainage system can combat the other two factors and help greatly decrease soil washout.  

  • Improper Base 

When your house was built, a large hole was dug to put in the foundation and an extra perimeter was dug around this area to allow for working space. When the home is finished, this extra perimeter will be back filled, which simply means that dirt is filled back into it. This dirt needs to be properly compacted down to provide a strong base, but this is not always the case. If the backfill was not compacted or soft soils were used, then it may not be a great base for concrete to be sitting on top of. So, if your steps happen to be above this improperly backfilled area, they may be more likely to start sinking into the loose soil.  

In some cases, this may mean that a more solid base or footings need to be placed under your steps. There are a couple methods that may be used either separately or together for concrete steps. It will typically begin with placing a layer of gravel to help with drainage. Secondly, a proper footing will ideally be installed. A footing is simply a foundation underneath the steps, with rebar or tubes that go down below frost level in the soil to hold for further stability.  

The concrete slabs around your Columbia property aren’t the only structures capable of settling. If you have any concrete steps around your home, then they can also settle. Just like a regular slab, concrete steps settle because the layer of soil that is meant to support them erodes and becomes uneven. Even if your steps have sunken a few inches into the ground, they can be repaired using polyurethane foam injections.

Contracts drill holes in the steps and use a handheld device to inject polyurethane foam. The foam expands and fills the void until there is enough to lift the steps back to their original position. The holes are covered back up, and the polyurethane foam is left to cure for 15 to 30 minutes. Concrete steps that have been cracked can still be repaired with this method, but only if the cracks are minimal. If the steps are significantly broken, then there is a chance you might have to replace them instead.

The only way to properly repair concrete steps is to use polyurethane foam injections. Many DIY blogs will recommend various methods that have nothing to do with solving the actual problem at hand, which is to give the steps a new support since the soil has eroded. Evening out the steps using cement, digging a hole and placing a rock under the steps, and other strange methods will only weaken the structure further and cause the steps to break completely. Without proper support, the steps will remain structurally unsound, which is extremely dangerous for all of those who use the steps. To avoid injuries, you must hire professionals for a proper concrete lifting job.

Why is Concrete Lifting Needed?

If you have issues with an uneven or cracked floor in your home or a sunken driveway, it’s time to call the experts at Mount Valley Foundation Services today for a quality solution. We offer a minimally invasive, fast, and effective repair with our PolyRenewal™ foam injections.

Freeze and Thaw Cycles

Thankfully places in South Carolina like Columbia and Greenville don’t experience harsh winters, but temperatures can still drop below freezing. If they do get snow, the snow will freeze the soil underneath and shrink it. When spring thaws arrive, that soil will expand due to the excess moisture content. Both the expanding and the contracting of the soil underneath the concrete slabs around your home can cause cracking and sinking. It’s vital to make sure that your concrete is either treated with anti-freeze chemicals in the winter to prevent this or shovel any snow off it.

Uneven Settling

When you walk across your driveway or concrete steps, do you notice that one side of the concrete is higher than the other? You may be dealing with uneven settling which is usually connected to the soil underneath the concrete. If this is the case, it’s important to have your concrete lifted back to its original position to avoid any tripping hazards. This is commonly found along your pool deck, sidewalk, and garage floors.

Water pooling on concrete

Water Pooling on the Concrete

If your driveway, porch steps, or pool deck don’t have cracks throughout, they’re virtually waterproof, minus the fact that concrete is a porous material. Unfortunately, this ends when a crack spans across the length of the slab, causing water damage to the entire structure. These cracks can be caused by soil settlement or washout underneath the slab and can also result in unevenness and sinking. When the concrete starts to sink in certain places, any time it rains or snows, water will pool up in that area. This can be an indicator that more serious problems are at play that needs to be addressed immediately.

Common Concrete Lifting Tips & Mistakes

So, if you’ve made the wise decision to address your home’s concrete problems, your first thought may be to replace it. And while that would certainly fix the curb appeal issue, at least for a while, there may be a better alternative. Here are some helpful suggestions when it comes to repairing your concrete.

Helpful Tips for Concrete Lifting

  • Inspect Your Foundation for Damage

When it comes to the concrete surfaces around your home, chances are if there’s damage on the outside, there’s likely damage on the inside as well. Many homeowners forget to take into consideration that their foundations are built from concrete and when the soil around your property shifts and settles it can cause foundation damage. Things such as wall cracks, uneven floors, or bowing walls are all common signs of soil settlement. These problems should be addressed ASAP and if the project is too large for PolyRenewal™ to fix, we also offer a wide variety of foundation solutions for your exact situation.

  • Check Frequently Used Concrete Areas

Areas such as your concrete porch steps, driveway, sidewalk, and pool deck are all susceptible to damage due to their constant exposure to the elements. If you notice an uneven slab in your driveway or a crack in your pool deck, it’s time for repairs. These structures are prone to creating tripping hazards for your family and can even cause damage to your vehicle.

  • Choose Mount Valley Foundation Services for Your Concrete Repairs

As soon as you want to get started on lifting your concrete slab, you should contact an expert near you. They will give you an estimate and their advice on how to proceed. It might just pay off to take advantage of any special offers and save yourself some time and money. You will feel better knowing the job will get done properly and you don’t have to mess around with it. Contact Mount Valley Foundation Services to set up your free inspection today.

Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Concrete Damage

  • Don’t Choose Mudjacking

Mudjacking, also known as slab jacking, is a technique that has been around for decades. The process involves mixing mud and concrete called “slurry” and pumping it under a sinking slab. The slurry becomes a hard, stable fill that is denser than soil, yet lighter than concrete. Mudjacking is messy, expensive, and temporary since the soil is likely to continue settling over time.

  • Concrete Replacement Is a Temporary Fix

Many people believe that by replacing their concrete, their problems are solved for good. That’s because most concrete sinks and settles due to problems with the soil beneath. Soil washout can also occur if enough water is present, like during a major rainstorm or snowmelt. When you pour new heavy concrete slabs on old, unstable soil, chances are they will sink and settle just like the damaged concrete did before.

  • DIY Repairs Can Be Dangerous

We know that when it comes to home repairs, cost and efficiency matter. Although it can be tempting to want to repair your sunken or uneven concrete, we suggest not performing any DIY repairs. If you don’t have the proper knowledge, skills, or tools required to repair concrete, you may end up seriously injuring yourself or increasing the damage at hand. It’s best to leave concrete repairs to the experts at Mount Valley Foundation Services and contact us today to set up your free inspection with a member of our team.

Providing Expert Concrete Lifting in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia

Pennsylvania trusts Mount Valley for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!  

Top Cities We Serve


Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Mount Valley Foundation Services does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level. 

Mount Valley Service Map

Our Locations

Charleston Location

1850 Ashley River Rd
Charleston, SC 29407

Columbia Location

401 Gamble Dr., Suite B

Columbia, SC 29209

Greenville Location

300 South Ave
Spartanburg, SC 29306

Myrtle Beach Location

1704 N. Oak Street, Suite 3
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Savannah Location

6606 Abercorn St., Suite 211
Savannah, GA 31405