United Structural Systems (USS)
Concrete Lifting in Chattanooga, TN
We Guarantee Our Best — Keeping Homes Dry and Stable.
Repair Services
Foundation Repair
We address various foundation-related issues with precision. Our services include stabilizing sloping floors, sealing foundation cracks, and correcting foundation settlements.
Basement Waterproofing
Our waterproofing solutions, including efficient drainage systems, powerful dehumidifiers, and reliable sump pumps, are designed to keep your basement dry and damage-free.
Crawl Space Repair
Our comprehensive crawl space services include encapsulation, waterproofing, structural floor support, and mold remediation, creating a healthy and secure base for your property.
Mold Treatment
Mold and mildew thrive in the damp, humid conditions found in crawl spaces. The best way to prevent microbial growth is to encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier.
Sinkhole Repair
The goal of sinkhole repair is to stabilize the area and prevent the sinkhole from reappearing. That means finding and eliminating the cause of the sinkhole. If water caused the sinkhole – and it usually does – then we need to get the water under control.
Structural Repair
Moisture accumulation, pest infestation, and soil settling can compromise the stability of your home which can lead to damaged beams or joists and uneven floor support. USS is known for having the best structural repair contractors — Contact Us
Concrete Lifting
Sunken, tilted, or cracked concrete detracts from your property’s appearance and presents safety hazards. Our concrete lifting services address these issues head-on, restoring the functionality and safety of your concrete structures.
Brick & Lintel Repair
A brick veneer that’s crumbling or cracking is often a signal of foundation issues that will need to be repaired first. Once the underlying problem has been fixed, our brick repair experts will ensure your facade is good as new again.
Chattanooga's Experts in Concrete Leveling and Repair
Dealing with uneven concrete? Whether it's a tilting walkway, sinking patio, or sagging driveway, these issues can be inconvenient and pose a safety risk. Concrete repair doesn't have to be disruptive.
If you have sinking, settling, cracking, or damaged concrete, consider PolyLift concrete lifting in Chattanooga, TN. United Structural Systems Chattanooga, formerly Basement and Crawlspace Solutions, can help you make the most of this cost-effective alternative to replacing slabs and other forms of concrete surface repair. With years of experience in the industry, our local, skilled, and certified technicians can deliver quick, effective solutions that will fix concrete problems of all sizes. Trust us to get the job done right the first time!
Do You Have Uneven or Sunken Concrete?
If your concrete surfaces show signs of shifting, sinking, or cracking, do not wait to give us a call and explore PolyLift concrete lifting in Chattanooga, TN. Uneven pathways can be inconvenient and pose dangers. We can restore your concrete to its optimal position and help prevent potential trip hazards.
Common causes of sunken concrete include:
- Soil movement or settlement. The soil underneath a concrete slab is not always stable and may shift over time due to various factors such as water runoff, drainage issues, or the natural freeze-thaw cycle. When the soil moves, it can lead to voids or gaps forming under the concrete slab. These voids can cause the slab to sink or tilt, leading to uneven concrete. Additionally, the weight of the concrete itself can cause the soil to compress or settle over time, further exacerbating the problem.
- Insufficient design. If a concrete slab is not appropriately designed to bear the weight it's regularly subjected to, it may crack under the pressure. This could be due to inadequate thickness of the slab, poor quality of the concrete mix, or improper reinforcement. Moreover, if the concrete is not properly cured or allowed to dry too quickly, it can lead to surface cracking. Inadequate drainage design can lead to water accumulating beneath the slab, causing soil erosion and subsequent slab settlement.
- Poor maintenance. Ignoring minor cracks can lead to a situation where water seeps into these cracks, enlarging them over time and causing the underlying soil to erode or settle unevenly. This can result in tilting or sinking of the concrete slab. Furthermore, failure to repair minor cracks promptly can also exacerbate the freeze-thaw cycle's impact, causing cracks to widen and deepen during colder months. Neglecting proper upkeep of drainage systems can result in water accumulation under the slab, leading to soil movement and slab settlement.
- Damage during renovations. Renovations frequently involve heavy machinery or equipment, the weight of which the original concrete may not have been designed to bear. This can impose a lot of stress on the concrete slab, resulting in cracking or unevenness. Additionally, construction activities might disrupt the soil underneath the concrete, leading to its movement or settlement. If trenches or pits are dug close to the concrete during renovation work, it might disturb the supporting soil, causing the concrete to settle unevenly or crack. Inaccurate cutting or drilling into the concrete slab without proper knowledge or technique can also lead to structural damage.
- Uneven or loose fill materials. Fill materials are the soils or aggregates placed and compacted under a concrete slab to provide a stable base. Unevenly distributed or loosely packed fill materials can lead to instability and voids, causing the concrete slab to sink or tilt.
- Overgrown tree root erosion. As trees mature, their root systems naturally expand in search of water and nutrients. If these roots grow beneath a concrete slab, they can exert considerable pressure, causing the slab to lift or crack. Larger roots can also disrupt the stability of fill materials underneath the slab, leading to uneven settlement.
- Seismic activity. Seismic activity and natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods, can significantly affect the integrity of concrete. Earthquakes can stress the concrete beyond its capacity, causing it to crack or break. Even mild tremors can cause soil to move or settle unevenly underneath the slab, leading to voids and subsequent sinking or tilting of the concrete. Floods or excessive rainfall can exacerbate soil erosion under the slab, causing it to become unstable and settle unevenly. The accumulated water can lead to increased pressure on the slab, resulting in cracks or fissures.
Don't let your sunken concrete become a hazard and a larger inconvenience for you. Schedule your free inspection today by calling (423) 320-8883.
At no additional charge, we offer transferable lifetime warranties on our foundation repair and waterproofing services.
Our Solution for Uneven or Sunken Concrete
At United Structural Systems Chattanooga, formerly Basement and Crawlspace Solutions, we use PolyLift concrete lifting in Chattanooga, TN to address uneven, sunken, or damaged concrete. This method involves injecting a two-part, eco-friendly polyurethane foam under high pressure into small holes drilled into the concrete's top. The expanding foam lifts the slab back to an optimal position, improving the safety of surfaces like driveways and sidewalks affected by shifting soil or gravel.
Once the holes are patched, the lifted concrete is immediately walkable, and driveways can be used after about 30 minutes. PolyLift is a quick and effective solution for sinking or uneven concrete, surpassing traditional methods that are costlier, involve extensive demolition, and are prone to failure over time.
It's three easy steps:
- 5/8” holes are drilled into the uneven concrete
- Ports are placed in drilled holes to inject two-part polyfoam
- Polyfoam is injected until the void is filled and/or the desired lift is achieved
Benefits of Concrete Lifting with PolyLift
Delaying concrete damage repair can worsen the situation, potentially leading to the need for expensive replacements. Concrete lifting is a cost-effective alternative – typically half the price of replacement! – and avoids additional expenses like landscaping.
Some of the advantages of using PolyLift for concrete lifting include:
- Minimal impact on the concrete slab's structural integrity
- Quick and easy installation process
- Precise results
- Lightweight to avoid future sinking
- Clean and non-disruptive approach
- Small injection holes that can be easily sealed and matched
- No excavation needed
- Uses 39-49% renewable and recyclable materials
- Concrete slabs are usable in 30 minutes or less
- More durable, long-lasting, and cost-efficient than other methods
Avoid These Inferior Concrete Leveling Alternatives!
When looking for concrete leveling and repair services, local contractors will likely pitch you a variety of solutions. However, many of these methods provide only temporary relief. As uneven concrete and sunken slabs are often caused by underlying soil issues, only repairing cosmetic problems won't prevent future sinking and cracking.
- Concrete resurfacing. Resurfacing generally involves the application of a thin layer of a concrete-based overlay material onto the existing concrete surface. While resurfacing can temporarily improve the aesthetic appearance of concrete, it will not address underlying soil issues or other causes of sinking or uneven surfaces.
- Concrete replacement. Concrete replacement is the most disruptive and costly approach for addressing uneven concrete. Instead of repairing the concrete, it involves tearing it up and re-pouring it. This method should be reserved for irreparable concrete slabs. If employed, ensure that underlying soil issues are addressed before pouring new concrete.
- Epoxy concrete repair. Epoxy injection is mainly a cosmetic method for concrete repair, utilizing epoxy to seal and minimize crack visibility. It is suitable only for superficial crack repair and does not address the underlying causes of uneven concrete.
- Mudjacking. Mudjacking, also referred to as slabjacking, is a repair method aimed at addressing the root cause of uneven concrete. However, it is an outdated technique. The process involves pumping a heavy concrete slurry beneath the slab to fill voids and lift it back to its original position. Unfortunately, this heavy slurry can contribute to the same issue it aims to solve – shifting soils. The weight often leads to further concrete compression, resulting in cracks reappearing within a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Concrete Lifting
How Much Does Concrete Lifting Cost?
Our concrete lifting and repair estimates are based on a cost-per-square-foot model, primarily determined by the size of the area and slab requiring repair. Minor variations in cost may arise based on foam quantity and job duration, but these typically have an insignificant impact on the overall price. You can receive a free estimate from one of our technicians.
Do You Offer Financing Options for Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting enhances home safety and aesthetics. Because we recognize that proactive and prompt home repairs can prevent higher expenses down the road, we offer concrete repair financing and flexible payment options for our clients.
Is Concrete Lifting the Best Solution for Me?
Generally, yes. Replacing concrete with a new slab is often unnecessary and costly. Fortunately, concrete lifting offers a reliable option without the need for messy excavation.
What Types of Concrete Surfaces Can PolyLift Restore?
Concrete lifting with PolyLift can restore various surfaces, including both concrete and aggregate driveways, steps, garage floors, porches, sidewalks, patios, and pool decks.
Will Concrete Lifting Disrupt the Area of Repair?
Concrete repair doesn't need to disrupt your life. Concrete lifting is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the expensive and disruptive process of removing and repouring slabs. Typically, excavation and landscape removal are unnecessary for concrete leveling repairs.
We offer financing plans, accept major credit cards and personal checks.
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