America's Largest Concrete Leveler
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Concrete Leveling Frequently Asked Questions.

General FAQ’s

  1. What areas do you work in?
    1.  As the Cleveland-East franchise, we service Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga (east of I-77), and Northern Portage counties. Cuyahoga County is shared between us and Cleveland-West franchise. If this still leaves you confused, feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to direct you to the appropriate location.
  2. What payment types do you accept?
    1. As a small business, our preferred method of payment is cash or check. Our quoted prices reflect a cash discount by default. A convenience fee will be added to all payments not made by cash or check. Additional payment types we accept are Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards.
  3. Does concrete leveling require permits?
    1. No! One of the many advantages of leveling concrete over replacement is that permits are not required. Since concrete leveling is working with existing concrete, there isn’t a need for tear out, forming, or new concrete installation. Cities do not require permits for work of this type. This allows us to perform our work freely and easily within any city without the need to pull a permit.
  4. How much does concrete leveling cost?
    1. When it comes to bidding projects and providing estimates, the construction industry is one the most challenging. With every project, comes unique aspects. The majority of projects fall within the $250*-$2000 window. For more accurate project pricing, we require scheduling an onsite estimate with one of our team.
      *Due to operational costs, we have a $250 project minimum.
  5. Are you insured?
    1. Yes! We are a fully insured contractor, carrying all the necessary and required coverages to operate within our field of business. This includes both liability and workman’s compensation insurances. Where applicable, we are also licensed/registered and bonded with many of the cities within our covered territory.
  6. Do you install or replace concrete?
    1. No. While ‘concrete’ is in our name, we do not perform replacement or new concrete installation. Our business model is focused on Concrete Leveling (i.e. adjustment and raising of existing concrete slabs via the pressure grouting process). If you are pursuing replacement or new concrete, a great starting point is to check with your city’s building department for recommended/registered concrete contractors.
  7. Do you fix spalling or chipped concrete?
    1. No. The services we offer are focused on lifting and adjusting sunken or uneven concrete. We do not resurface or correct concrete issues such as spalling. If you are looking for these types of services, we recommend checking with your city’s building department for a list of recommended/registered contractors.
  8. Do you install overlays or decorative top coatings?
    1. No. The services we offer are focused on lifting and adjusting sunken or uneven concrete. We do not install concrete overlays or decorative top coatings. If you are looking for these types of services, we recommend checking with your city’s building department for a list of recommended/registered contractors.
  9. Do you perform masonry work? Such as rebuilding brick steps or block walls?
    1. No. Our crews and trucks are not set up to perform masonry work. If you are looking to rebuild or repairing brick/block, we recommend checking with your city’s building department for recommended/registered masonry contractors.
  10. Do you raise or repair pre-cast concrete steps?
    1. If the pre-cast steps are resting on a slab that has sunk, we are able to raise the slab the pre-cast steps rest upon. Due to the weight effect of the pre-cast steps, they will need to be removed from the work area prior to leveling process. We do not repair or install new pre-cast step assemblies. If you are looking for repair or new installation types of services, we recommend checking with your city’s building department for a list of recommended/registered contractors.

Process FAQ’s

  1. What is concrete leveling?
    1. When we refer to the term ‘concrete leveling’, we are speaking of the process of raising or adjusting pre-existing concrete slabs that have either sunken or become uneven. We accomplish this by using a process referred to as pressure grouting. We mix agricultural limestone with water and use low-pressure hydraulics to pump the agricultural limestone and water slurry underneath the concrete. This allows us to raise and adjust concrete slabs.
  2. What is the difference between slabjacking, mudjacking, and concrete leveling?
    1. Most often they are all referring to the same concept of raising or adjusting concrete that has sunken or become uneven. Some companies perform this task by hand, where they physically remove the slab, regrade the ground underneath, and then re-install the slab. Other companies inject different types of material, such as foam or mud/clay mixtures. Since there are different ways of raising or adjusting concrete slabs, it is best to inquire with each company on the specific process and material that they use. Stone is the required base material by cities and municipalities for all new concrete installation. This is why we use ‘Ag Lime’, which is ground up stone.
  3. How long does concrete leveling last?
    1. Concrete leveling has great longevity potential. The process and material we use to raise, adjust, and support concrete has proven very effective since its development by our founder in the 1980’s. However, instabilities in the sub-terranean soil conditions, water tables, broken underground utilities, erosion, and other factors limit our ability to ‘guarantee’ that concrete leveling will last forever. We offer a 5-year warranty (dependent on the age of the concrete) to help show our confidence in the services we offer and that we stand behind our process and workmanship.
  4. Will my concrete be ‘level’ when it is finished?
    1. Concrete is almost never installed level. Standing water on your concrete is undesirable. Driveways, walkways, patios, and most other types of exterior concrete slabs are installed with pitch and slope to prevent standing water and shed it away from things like basements, foundations, and doorways. When we perform our concrete leveling services, we follow these same principles. We most often raise or adjust work areas to shed water in the appropriate direction, or match/meet up with the surrounding areas. This strategy corrects water flow, removes trip hazards, can reverse excessive pitch/slope, and straightens unevenness. It does not always mean the concrete is going to be ‘level’ when finished.
  5. What type of material do you use?
    1. We use ground up limestone, commonly referred to as ‘Ag Lime’. When this ground up stone is mixed with water, it is able to be pumped through hoses and injected under sunken or uneven concrete. This is the same type of stone most commonly used as the base for new concrete installation. It is a dense and stable material which flows very well under the concrete and re-establishes a strong and dependable base. Our process and material are also accepted by ODOT and the Army Corps of Engineers.
  6. Is it environmentally friendly?
    1. Yes! Ag lime is a naturally occurring material, and we do not add any chemicals or harmful additives to it. Farmers use it to aid in crop yield and soil conditions. Landscape professionals use it as a base material for paver stones/blocks. You can rest assured it is environmentally safe and friendly. It will not harm your plants, animals, or contaminate water sources.
  7. How do you know the slab is adequately supported?
    1. Our crews drill the appropriate number of holes in the slab based on how the slab has sunk or needs to be adjusted. To ensure adequate support and material flow, holes are typically drilled in a row and grid type fashion with approximately 3-4 feet spacing between them.
  8. How long before I can use the work area?
    1. For concrete leveling projects, we recommend staying off the work area for 1-2 hours after completion. For projects where the concrete is raised or adjusted several inches or more, this helps keep the adjusted slab from shifting or moving as a result of exposure to vehicle or foot traffic.
    2. For caulking projects, we suggest that you avoid walking or driving on the work area for at least 24 hours. The commercial grade polyurethane caulk we use cures from the outside in. It takes a minimum of 24 hours to fully cure. If driven on or stepped in before then it can create quite the mess. We would hate for it to make its way into your home, onto your pets, or other places it was not intended.
  9. Do you offer a warranty?
    1. Yes. Our standard warranty is 5 years from the date of invoice and dependent upon the age of the concrete. If concrete in the original work area re-settles more than 0.50”, we will be happy to come back and re-level the area at no cost. Re-settlement is usually an indication of unstable soil conditions which we can help you asses. Warranties are transferable if property ownership changes.
  10. How do I know if my concrete can be leveled or needs replaced?
    1. Concrete leveling works best when the integrity of the concrete is high and slabs have minimal cracking. Slabs with minor cracking can still be leveled and adjusted. However, we prefer the cracked areas to be no smaller than 3x3 foot squares. If cracking is too severe, the estimator will communicate to you that replacement is a better investment of your time and money than leveling. We want to provide you with the best solution, and sometimes that means pointing you in a different direction than the services we offer.

Having a Project Completed FAQ’s

  1. How do I schedule my project?
    1. We will need a signed copy of both your Estimate and our Terms and Conditions pages returned to us. If you have any questions on your project, feel free to contact our office and we will be happy to review it with you. You can submit your paperwork by mail, email, or fax:
      1. P.O. Box 477, Chesterland, OH 44026
      2. Estimates@A1LevelingCleveland.com
      3. Fax Number: (216) 820-4419
  2. How soon can my project be scheduled after receiving an estimate?
    1. We are able to complete most projects within 10 business days from the time we receive your signed paperwork. Our schedule is constantly changing as we receive and complete projects, so feel free to call our office for a better idea of current lead times.
  3. How can I prepare for my project to be completed?
    1. Our crews greatly appreciate the following 2 items:
      1. ​​​​​​A functioning and accessible water spigot. Our trucks are not fitted with water tanks in order to help keep them light and nimble. We pull them into and out of residential driveways on a daily basis and do not want to damage your driveway due to excessive vehicle weights. Our crews are unable to perform the work if they don’t have access to a working water spigot. This is a very important piece of information. Our trucks are equipped with more than enough hose to reach any exterior location of the building (front, side, or rear), we just need your help with the water spigot.
      2. A clutter-free work area. In order for our crews to complete the work in a timely manner, we recommend having the work area cleared of any personal items or vehicles prior to their arrival. Moving cars, furniture, or other personal property allows our crews to work freely. This also helps prevent your personal property from dirt and debris created as a result of the work being completed.
  4. Do I have to be home for the work to be completed?
    1. We understand everyone’s schedules are very busy these days. In most cases, our crews are still able to complete the work, even if you are unable to be present during the appointment time. Just let our office know during scheduling, and they will inform you of the details. Our office can also arrange a payment method with you at the time of scheduling.