Sunken driveway repair in Pittsburgh
Sunken driveway repair begins with a simple question: why did it drop? On Pittsburgh lots, it's usually washed-out soil, poor fill beside a foundation or a utility trench that was never packed properly. Fix that, and the rest of the job is easy.
Lift or replace?
If a panel has dropped but stayed in one piece, lifting can bring it back up. If it has broken, or if the ground is still moving, replacing it makes more sense.
| Method | How it works | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane foam | Foam is injected through small holes | The slab is whole and has settled a little |
| Mudjacking | A cement slurry is pumped under the slab | Larger voids and a sound slab |
| New panel | The old section is cut out, and the base is rebuilt | The slab is cracked or the soil is poor |
Common causes around Pittsburgh
Some causes are easier to deal with than others, and it pays to know which you have before you spend money.
- Downspouts or leaks washing out the base
- Loose backfill next to the house and garage
- Old utility or sewer trenches under the driveway
- Clay that shrinks and swells with the seasons
- Tree roots, or stumps rotting away under the slab
- Slopes that creep downhill over time
Sinking near the garage or the house
When the panel next to the garage drops, water can start running back toward your foundation. Don't leave this one until later. The backfill along a foundation is often loose, and it can take years to settle. A sinking slab on a hillside deserves a careful look too, since a moving slope can't be fixed with foam. If that's what we find, we'll say so, and suggest a geotechnical engineer before any new concrete is poured. If replacement is the answer, see concrete driveway replacement.
How the job goes
- Inspect
We measure how far it dropped, and look for the cause.
- Fix the water
Downspouts and leaks are dealt with first.
- Choose a method
You see both prices, side by side.
- Lift or repour
The slab is raised or replaced.
- Seal
Joints and cracks are sealed to protect the base.
Common questions
How much does concrete lifting cost per square foot?
Often $5 to $15 per square foot, or more for foam. It depends on the size of the void and on how much material it takes.
How much does concrete raising cost?
A single driveway panel often runs several hundred dollars. Larger areas or deep voids cost more.
More driveway services
- concrete driveway installation
- concrete driveway replacement
- concrete driveway repair
- concrete driveway resurfacing
- stamped concrete driveway
- exposed aggregate concrete driveway
- driveway trench drain
- driveway drainage
- driveway apron
- concrete driveway sealing
- driveway crack repair
- driveway extension