Concrete Lifting Thoughts

[hasco]

Hi Everyone, I have a Three inch drop on my front steps, Walkway has sunk some,but very minor cracking is present. This has been a very slow process (25 years). I am asking for thoughts on the Foam injection process to lift the steps and walkway. Anybody have it done ? Thanks in advance.

 

[nadogail]

Mud Jacking might help

 

[Hank11]

Its two steps. Cut it out and put in new steps With a nice footing underneath. Also note the rise per step was off even before it settled. Now is time to fix that too.

 

[WildBill]

I have used cans of window/door expanding foam for this and also the kits made for it, which definitely worked better. I did about 15 sets of 30 year old steps that looked just like yours but about twice as big with one of the kits, worked great. With the kits you would normally drill a bunch of holes and slowly work it up. With cheap can foam I would jack the whole thing up higher than you want, shoot the foam in from the side, and slowly drop it down as the foam expands to fill the space. The cans are not as predictable.

I would knock that lip off the top step before doing anything and then patch it afterwards to make it easier to get level.

Because its not very big I would be tempted to jack it up and pack 5/8"- or equivalent "packing gravel" under it, I have also done that to fix steps. Or move it and make a nice base, or just replace it because its so small.

 

[tarmy]

Its two steps. Cut it out and put in new steps With a nice footing underneath. Also note the rise per step was off even before it settled. Now is time to fix that too.

This…fix it correcting the step height issue at the same time. May even want to lower the step height so it is easier to go up as you age…

 

[hasco]

Thanks for the ideas,however i need to lift 25 feet of sidewalk attached to the steps also.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have a feeling by time you pay for jacking you'll be very close to the cost of new

 

[finn]

I had the mud jackers do part of a patio in the back yard and a couple of sidewalk slabs. Saw their truck at an intersection and called the number on the door.

This was a while ago, but it was cheap, and fast, and didn’t mess up the lawn. They were in and out before a concrete guy would give an estimate.

I would do it again if there was someone local to me now. Mine was in Naperville, Il.

 

[bluedog225]

I have used cans of window/door expanding foam for this and also the kits made for it, which definitely worked better. I did about 15 sets of 30 year old steps that looked just like yours but about twice as big with one of the kits, worked great. With the kits you would normally drill a bunch of holes and slowly work it up. With cheap can foam I would jack the whole thing up higher than you want, shoot the foam in from the side, and slowly drop it down as the foam expands to fill the space. The cans are not as predictable.

I would knock that lip off the top step before doing anything and then patch it afterwards to make it easier to get level.

Because its not very big I would be tempted to jack it up and pack 5/8"- or equivalent "packing gravel" under it, I have also done that to fix steps. Or move it and make a nice base, or just replace it because its so small.

Any info on the kit you mentioned would be appreciated. I’ve not heard of these. Thanks

 

[WildBill]

Any info on the kit you mentioned would be appreciated. I’ve not heard of these. Thanks

I got a kit from this company, it was about $375 and did a bunch of sets of steps. Besides needing to put tape around the nozzle where it went through the concrete so the foam didn't blow out and checking the depth with a wire it wasn't tricky, they cover both those things in their videos. It also needs to be hot out, like 75F minimum or it doesn't work well. The foam mix, concrete, and ground need to be hot.

Secure Set Spray Foam - GRA Secure Set

Ideally suited for DIY leveling and lifting concrete slabs or filling voids without excavating.

secureset.net

Here is one of their videos, they have a ton of them. Not sure if this is the best but you can go to their home page on YouTube and look around. You will also probably see other videos of guys using the cans of foam suggested to you when you look at their videos. For the length you need to do I wouldn't try using little cans, I only used them in a small area I could easily jack up.

 

[toolmiser]

I did a 3 x 3' section of sidewalk next to a door once. I dug a little "pit under the edge" and used a hydraulic jack to raise the concrete to desired height. Then spray foamed underneath as much a possible using a couple straws as extensions. Let cure overnight, removed jack and applied more foam where jack was. It's held for 20 years.