Lifting, resurfacing & crack repair
Concrete Repair & Leveling in Tuscaloosa, AL
Fix the slab you have when it can be saved, and replace only what has failed.
- Free on-site measuring visit
- Written, line-by-line quote before any work
- Base, thickness and curing planned for clay soil and summer heat
Save the Slab When You Can
Concrete repair and leveling is often the smart first step in Tuscaloosa. A lot of the damage we see is a solid slab that has sunk or tilted because water softened the ground beneath one side, not concrete that has worn out. HomeGuide's leveling guide puts leveling at $3 to $12 per square foot on average, against $6 to $15 for replacement. When the slab itself is sound, lifting it back into place costs less, takes less time and leaves the yard intact.
Why slabs sink here
Western Alabama clay swells when it is wet and shrinks when it dries. A 2024 Auburn University report for the Alabama Department of Transportation studied that shrink-swell behavior under a state highway in the region. Add about 53.5 inches of rain a year, per Wikipedia's climate figures, and the soil under a driveway, patio or walk is always changing. Downspouts that empty at the edge of a slab, yards that slope toward it and fill dirt that was never compacted all make it worse. The result is a panel that drops at the garage, a patio that tips toward the house or a walk with a raised lip.
Repair options
Mudjacking. A cement-based slurry is pumped through small holes to fill the gap under the slab and raise it. HomeGuide lists it at $4 to $9 per square foot.
Foam lifting (polyjacking). A lightweight expanding foam is injected through smaller holes. It cures quickly and adds little weight to soft soil. HomeGuide lists it at $8 to $25 per square foot and notes it often lasts the longest.
Resurfacing. A thin overlay covers a worn but solid surface. HomeGuide's resurfacing guide lists $3 to $7 per square foot for plain overlays on patios and walks, lasting 8 to 15 years.
Crack sealing. Flexible filler keeps water out of cracks so it cannot wash soil out from under the slab. HomeGuide lists crack filling at $0.50 to $3 per linear foot.
Section replacement. When one or two panels are broken beyond saving, we saw-cut them out and pour new ones, doweled into the slab that stays.
When repair is not enough
HomeGuide's leveling guide says replacement may be the better choice when cracks are wider than a quarter inch, the concrete is badly deteriorated or the surface damage is significant. Its resurfacing guide adds that cracks wider than a quarter inch usually point to problems an overlay will not fix. We will tell you plainly if a slab is past saving, and the quote can show both prices so you can decide.
Fixing the cause
Lifting a slab without fixing the water problem only buys time. HomeGuide notes that mudjacking and stone slurry typically last 5 to 7 years with proper drainage maintenance. Along with the repair, we look at downspouts, grading and gaps along the edges, and we seal joints and cracks so rain cannot keep washing under the slab. Often the drainage fix is small and inexpensive compared with the repair itself.
Common repair jobs
- A driveway panel at the garage that has dropped and holds water at the door
- A front walk with raised lips at the joints
- A patio that now slopes toward the house
- A stoop that has pulled away from the foundation
- A carport or garage floor with a sunken middle
- A worn, rough patio surface on an otherwise solid slab
Repair Work We Quote
Each repair is matched to what actually went wrong with the slab.
Slab lifting
Mudjacking or foam injection to raise sunken driveways, walks, patios and steps.
Resurfacing
A thin overlay to renew worn or rough surfaces on sound concrete.
Crack and joint sealing
Flexible sealant to keep water out of cracks and joints.
Panel replacement
Broken sections cut out and repoured, tied into the remaining slab.
Drainage fixes
Downspout extensions and regrading so the problem does not return.
Typical Concrete Repair Costs
| Item | Published range |
|---|---|
| Concrete leveling, average per sq ft | $3 to $12 |
| Mudjacking, per sq ft | $4 to $9 |
| Polyjacking (foam), per sq ft | $8 to $25 |
| Mudjack a 100 sq ft sidewalk | $400 to $900 |
| Mudjack a 450 sq ft driveway | $1,800 to $4,100 |
| Minimum leveling job | $300 to $700+ |
| Resurfacing a patio or walk, per sq ft | $3 to $7 |
| Crack filling, per linear ft | $0.50 to $3 |
Figures from HomeGuide's concrete leveling and concrete resurfacing cost guides (national averages). Tuscaloosa prices can differ, and slab size, access and the cause of the damage change the total. The written estimate after we inspect is your price.
Start to Finish
1. Find the cause
We inspect the slab and the drainage around it to see why it moved.
2. Quote the options
Repair and, where it makes sense, replacement priced side by side.
3. Repair
Lift, resurface, seal or replace sections as quoted.
4. Stop it recurring
Joints sealed and water routed away from the slab.
Why Choose Us for Concrete Repair & Leveling
Repair before replace
If lifting or resurfacing will do the job, that is the price we lead with.
Cause addressed
Drainage and joints handled so the slab is less likely to sink again.
Concrete Repair & Leveling Questions
How long does concrete leveling last?
HomeGuide's leveling guide says professionally leveled concrete lasts 5 to 10 years or more, with polyjacking often lasting longest. Fixing the drainage around the slab makes the biggest difference.
Mudjacking or foam: which is better?
Mudjacking costs less per square foot. Foam uses smaller holes, cures faster and adds less weight to soft soil. We recommend one based on the slab, the soil and your budget.
Will the repair holes show?
The injection holes are patched with cement-based filler. They are visible up close, but on a broom-finished slab they blend in after a short time.
Can cracked concrete be resurfaced?
Hairline cracks can be filled and covered. HomeGuide's resurfacing guide says cracks wider than a quarter inch usually point to deeper problems that an overlay will not fix.
Concrete Repair & Leveling Service Areas
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Get a Concrete Repair & Leveling Estimate
We inspect the damage and price the repair in writing, in Tuscaloosa and nearby towns.