How To Fix An Uneven Sidewalk In Just A Few Hours

Table of Contents

1. Causes Of An Uneven Sidewalk
2. Why You Don’t Want An Uneven Sidewalk
3. Leveling An Uneven Sidewalk Via Polyurethane Foam Injection
4. How Is Polyurethane Foam Injection Performed?
5. Uneven Sidewalk – Before And After Leveling
6. Cost Of Fixing An Uneven Sidewalk
7. Polyurethane Foam Injection Vs. Mudjacking

Causes Of An Uneven Sidewalk

Various things can cause an uneven sidewalk, but the following are the most common causes:

• Clay-rich soil – Soil with a lot of clay expands as it absorbs moisture and shrinks as it dries out. This creates movement in the ground under the sidewalk, which can, over time, cause it to become uneven.
• Erosion-prone soil – Some soil types are prone to erosion. If voids form under the slab due to erosion, the slab could sink into the voids and become uneven.
• Seismic activity – We probably don’t need to explain how this can cause an uneven sidewalk.
• Invasive tree roots – We’ve all seen examples of tree roots pushing up on a sidewalk and causing it to become uneven.
• Freeze-thaw cycle – Freezing causes soil to expand and push up on a sidewalk. When the ground thaws, it contracts, and the sidewalk falls back down. Over time this can cause unevenness.
• Improper soil preparation – Soil must be tamped before a sidewalk gets poured on top of it. If this isn’t done correctly, the sidewalk could settle into the ground after it’s poured and become uneven.

Whatever the cause of the uneven sidewalk, property owners must address the issue promptly to ensure the sidewalk remains safe.

Why You Don’t Want An Uneven Sidewalk

Leveling An Uneven Sidewalk Via Polyurethane Foam Injection

If you’ve noticed an uneven or sunken sidewalk outside your home, addressing the issue quickly before it becomes a safety hazard is essential. The good news is that polyurethane foam injection is an efficient and cost-effective solution. Leveling an uneven sidewalk using polyurethane foam injection involves injecting a specialized foam under the sidewalk to raise and level it.

Polyurethane foam injection is quicker and less invasive than digging up an uneven sidewalk and pouring new concrete, but it also offers a longer-lasting solution. As the foam hardens, it forms a waterproof barrier that helps prevent erosion under the slab. This could help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Contact a professional foundation repair contractor with experience leveling uneven sidewalks to assess the damage and offer a repair estimate. Since leveling a sidewalk using polyurethane foam injection usually only takes a few hours tops, your sidewalk will look good as new in no time flat.

How Is Polyurethane Foam Injection Performed?

The procedures for leveling an uneven sidewalk via polyurethane foam injection is generally as follows:

• First, dime-sized holes are drilled into the affected slab.
• The polyurethane foam is injected under the slab using the holes.
• The foam begins to immediately expand and this raises the slab.
• Once the repair is complete, the holes are patched with a compound that closely matches the color of the concrete.
• Fifteen minutes or so after the repair, you can begin using the slab again.

Cost Of Fixing An Uneven Sidewalk

The cost of fixing an uneven sidewalk depends on various things, including the following:

• The size of the area that needs lifting because this determines how much foam is necessary.
• The severity of the damage.
• Your geographical location. Some areas of the country are more expensive than others.

Unless we inspect your uneven sidewalk or walkway, we can’t give you an estimate of how much it will cost to lift it. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 – $1,800 to fix a section of walkway or sidewalk. Don’t let the price tag scare you off. Investing in sidewalk leveling enhances your property’s appearance and ensures the safety of anyone visiting your home. (Walkway or Sidewalk is)

Polyurethane Foam Injection Vs. Mudjacking

Mudjacking, which involves injecting a mixture of sand, water, and cement under the slab to raise it, was once the go-to solution for leveling an uneven sidewalk. While mudjacking is still being used, polyurethane foam injection is the preferred choice today for homeowners and contractors alike because it’s a more efficient and cost-effective solution. It’s also more durable because the high-density polyurethane foam is hydrophobic and won’t wash away.

If your property has an uneven sidewalk and needs leveling, contact Bay Area Underpinning today to schedule an evaluation and receive a repair estimate. We serve all of Northern California.

Steve Egloff

Founder of Bay Area Underpinning

Steve is the Founder of Bay Area Underpinning, a foundation repair company serving the San Fransisco Bay Area, California. Bay Area Underpinning was founded in 2005 with the goal of providing a cost-effective, engineered solution to foundation settlement problems with an emphasis on educating customers to make them feel comfortable with the various methods of foundation repair.

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