Erosion is one of those issues that sneak up on you. Soil erosion under a concrete slab can spell disaster for the surface if you don’t act quickly. As your trusted provider of concrete leveling in Wichita, KS, Arise Concrete Leveling outlines what unchecked erosion will do to your slab foundation and other concrete structures below.
What Causes Soil Erosion?
Soil erosion occurs when the dirt on or around an outdoor topographical feature moves downhill because of rainfall or wind. When it comes to ground movement under slab foundations, erosion happens when soil washout transfers the supporting dirt from beneath the concrete slab. This leaves pitting and holes that the surface will gradually sink into.
How Does It Affect Your Concrete’s Structural Stability?
When the soil beneath a concrete surface rinses away, it causes slab settlement as the concrete material settles into the empty spaces beneath it. Your patio, shop floor, or building slab foundation should ideally remain completely level for the best structural stability.
However, it cannot remain stable without the support of the dirt beneath it. Once erosion creates empty pockets, the concrete sinks. You might notice webbed, sunken-in dips or deep cracks separating sections of concrete. Common problems that contribute to premature erosion include:
- Burrowing pests
- Damaged gutters
- Poor drainage
- Slopes that guide water toward your building
What can you do to mend the concrete foundation slab before the damage becomes irreparable?
Can You Fix Soil Erosion Under a Concrete Slab?
How can you fix soil erosion under a concrete slab on your property? Service providers like Arise Concrete Leveling offer several solutions:
- Foam injections: The technician injects a sturdy foam material into the concrete slab voids.
- Concrete repair: Next, they fill in the cracks to make the surface more cohesive and even.
- Concrete leveling: Finally, they flatten the whole concrete surface for a stable, pristine foundation slab, patio, or driveway.
Repairing the concrete from the ground up is only half the battle. Now, you must address the original issue and prevent it from happening again.
Keeping Problems From Developing in the Future
First, diagnose the reason for the slab foundation erosion. If you have a problem with burrowing pests, you’ll need an exterminator to set up traps or administer a pesticide. However, many property owners’ soil instability comes from some type of water movement.
Explore the following erosion control methods as they apply to your situation:
- Installing a gutter system or fixing your current one
- Addressing any hidden plumbing leaks that might release water near your slab foundation
- Installing a drainage system that directs floodwater away from your building’s foundation
- Resculpting topographical slopes to better preserve your building
Arise Concrete Leveling Can Fill the Voids Beneath Your Concrete Slabs for Lasting Levelness in Wichita, Kansas
Soil erosion under a concrete slab can destroy your building if left unchecked. Arise Concrete Leveling can protect your property at the lowest level with stabilization and support for your concrete slab foundation. Call 316-867-6565 for concrete leveling and repair services in Wichita, Kansas, if you discover these damaged concrete signs.
