Best DIY or Professional Options for Concrete Leveling?

geteh · Mar 22, 2025

Hey everyone,

I’ve got some uneven concrete slabs on my driveway and patio that have become a bit of a tripping hazard. I’ve been looking into concrete leveling options but wanted to get some advice before deciding how to proceed.

I’ve seen DIY solutions like self-leveling compounds and polyurethane foam kits, but I’m wondering how effective they really are. Has anyone here had success with these, or are they more of a temporary fix? Also, how do they compare to professional services like mudjacking or polyjacking in terms of cost and longevity?

If I go the professional route, what should I look for in a contractor to ensure they do a good job? Any red flags to watch out for?

I’d appreciate any insights from those who have tackled this issue before.

geteh · Mar 22, 2025

geteh said:
Hey everyone,

I’ve got some uneven concrete slabs on my driveway and patio that have become a bit of a tripping hazard. I’ve been looking into concrete leveling options but wanted to get some advice before deciding how to proceed.

I’ve seen DIY solutions like self-leveling compounds and polyurethane foam kits, but I’m wondering how effective they really are. Has anyone here had success with these, or are they more of a temporary fix? Also, how do they compare to professional services like mudjacking or polyjacking in terms of cost and longevity?

If I go the professional route, what should I look for in a contractor to ensure they do a good job? Any red flags to watch out for from ecoliftllc.com?

I’d appreciate any insights from those who have tackled this issue before.

Thanks in advance for any help

fatjay · Mar 22, 2025

I have to say, i've been down this road, twice. Once with my pool concrete, and once with my patio. I fixed both in different ways.

The pool, i bought the harbor freight 70lb electric jack hammer and busted it all up. I used the bulk of the rubble, already compressed, as a base. Then I got the harbor freight mixer and poured all new concrete around the pool. I'm not going to lie, it was a big job.

The patio, I took dry concrete bags, about 200 of them, set up a perimeter with cinder blocks. Then I dumped the dry concrete on the patio and leveled it out. I took a piece of 4x8 plywood and put my pancake compressor on it then put it on the dry concrete. It vibrated the smooth concrete into every crack and crevice. I got it all smooth, then put pavers on the entire thing. Then I soaked it with water. This was a 18'x24' surface made up of about 12 different slabs that had shifted 2-3", major tripping hazard. I "fixed" it about 10 years ago, and to this day it's great. Not all surfaces you can raise 3", but my patio i could.

dieselscout80 · Mar 22, 2025

Self leveling concrete works, but I have NO experience with it outside only with interior applications. We have used it on three different projects with once being in my garage.

Self leveling concrete is not a true concrete, so not sure how it would work outside.

I does work though, but lifts are limited to like a 1” or so. So if you need say three inches it would take multiple layers.

the old grind · Mar 22, 2025

When testing Charles' battle bot my slabs by the garage sounded like drum head, with a disturbing hollow sound from metal casters (balancing) on it and the bot's 200 lb.

Ants undermine slabs and this is a prime cause of settling during freeze/thaw cycles. They like the thermal stability of large masses. If you don't keep them away they'll always come back and continue the damage.

I use Bifen I/T around my slabs and into the seams. It's an oil/water emulsion that lasts pretty much a whole Summer. I've held off the invasion but past presence gives me concern for the long term.

Concrete lifting refills the voids left by ants. The more mud pumped in the more they'd have to re-dig. Topping to level requires good adhesion and/or can allow feathered edges to crumble. YMMV but IMO lifting is the best remedy for settled concrete.