Sinking Slabs? Why Concrete Lifting and Leveling Is the Smart Fix for Driveways, Garages, and Patios

At first, it’s just a small dip in your driveway. Then, one day, you trip on the uneven edge of your garage floor. Next, your patio tilts just enough to send rainwater pooling toward your foundation.These might seem like minor annoyances, but they’re all signs of a deeper issue: sinking concrete slabs.

Left unaddressed, these sunken areas can become hazards, damage your property’s structure, and reduce your home’s value. The good news? You don’t need to tear out and replace the entire slab. There’s a smarter, faster, and more affordable solution: concrete lifting and leveling.

At On The Level Concrete Correction, we specialize in breathing new life into driveways, patios, garage floors, and commercial surfaces using time-tested methods and advanced materials. But before we get into how we do it, here’s a bit of our story and why people across Alberta trust us with their homes and businesses.

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The Heart Behind On The Level Concrete Correction

In 2017, our family made a decision: to build something that would stand for more than just a service. My wife Deb, our son Luke, and I started On The Level Concrete Correction with a shared belief that the contractor you hire should be someone you’d trust in your own backyard, someone who treats your home like it’s their own.

Two years later, our youngest son, Seth, joined the family business, bringing even more dedication, energy, and expertise to the team.

When choosing a name, we wanted something that reflected our dual commitment to excellent workmanship and honest business practices. “On the Level” was a natural fit, not only is it a nod to leveled concrete, but it also reflects the values we live by: honest, fair, and true.

Since day one, we’ve made it our mission to be the kind of company you recommend to your neighbors, your co-workers, and most importantly, your family.

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What Causes Concrete to Sink?

Concrete slabs, like those in your driveway, garage, or patio, are heavy. Over time, the soil beneath them can shift, settle, or wash away, creating gaps that allow the concrete to drop.

Here are the most common causes of sinking slabs:

• Erosion: Rain and melting snow can wash away the soil base under concrete slabs.
• Poor compaction: If the ground wasn’t properly compacted during construction, it may settle later.
• Freeze-thaw cycles: Alberta’s weather can expand and contract soil seasonally, leading to uneven support.
• Burrowing animals or root growth: Nature has its own way of moving things around beneath your slab.

The result? Cracks, trip hazards, uneven surfaces, and potential drainage issues.

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Why Lifting and Leveling Beats Full Replacement

When homeowners first spot sunken concrete, their first instinct is often to tear out and pour new. But this is usually unnecessary and expensive.

Here’s why concrete lifting and leveling is the smarter solution:

1. Faster

Replacing a concrete slab can take days or even weeks, excavation, removal, curing, and cleanup. In contrast, most lifting and leveling jobs are completed in a few hours, with your surface ready to use the same day.

2. More Affordable

Tearing out and replacing concrete can cost twice as much or more than lifting it. With leveling, you’re restoring what you already have, not paying for materials and labor from scratch.

3. Non-Invasive

Concrete lifting doesn’t destroy your landscaping or hardscaping. We use small, precise injection holes, minimizing disruption and mess.

4. Environmentally Friendly

Why throw away perfectly good concrete when it can be restored? Lifting reduces waste and keeps your slab out of the landfill.

5. Just as Durable

When done right, by experienced professionals using high-quality materials, lifted concrete is just as long-lasting as new pours.

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Our Techniques: Mudjacking vs. Foam Injection

At On The Level Concrete Correction, we offer both traditional mudjacking and modern foam concrete lifting, depending on your unique needs.

✅ Mudjacking (Slabjacking)

This method involves injecting a slurry of water, soil, and cement under the slab to raise it. It’s ideal for larger, heavier concrete like driveways and garage pads.

✅ Polyurethane Foam Injection

This newer method uses lightweight, high-density foam that expands underneath the slab to lift and stabilize it. It’s a great option for lighter or more delicate applications, or where minimal intrusion is required.

We’ll always walk you through your options and explain what’s best for your home or commercial space.

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Common Areas We Lift and Level

Our team has helped hundreds of Alberta homeowners and business owners fix sunken concrete, and protect their investment. Here are the most common surfaces we repair:

🏠 Residential

• Driveways
• Garage floors
• Front steps and sidewalks
• Patios and pool decks
• Basement floors

🏢 Commercial

• Warehouse floors
• Loading docks
• Condo walkways
• Retail and office entryways
• Industrial pads and slabs

If it’s concrete and it’s sinking, chances are, we can lift it.

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Warning Signs to Watch For

Not sure if your slab needs lifting? Here are some red flags:

• Visible cracks or gaps along the edges of concrete
• Trip hazards where one slab has settled lower than another
• Puddles or poor drainage on patios and driveways
• Doors that stick due to shifting garage floors
• Tilting steps or uneven landings

The earlier you address these issues, the easier (and cheaper) they are to fix.

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Why Choose On the Level?

There are plenty of contractors out there. But if you’re looking for a team who combines technical skill with small-town integrity, you’re in the right place.

Here’s what sets On The Level Concrete Correction apart:

• Family-owned and operate: Every project has our name on it. Literally.
• Hands-on expertise: We’re not salespeople. We’re the ones doing the work.
• Transparent pricing: No hidden fees. No pushy upsells. Just honest assessments.
• Flexible scheduling: We’ll work with your calendar and keep you informed every step of the way.
• Commitment to quality: Our goal is to make it right the first time and make it last.

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Ready to Lift Your Sinking Slab?

If you’re tired of cracked concrete, tripping hazards, or sagging surfaces, don’t wait until the damage gets worse, or more expensive. Let’s lift, level, and protect your investment.

At On The Level Concrete Correction, we treat your home the way we’d want someone to treat ours, with care, precision, and honesty. Whether it’s your driveway, patio, garage floor, or commercial property, we’ll help you bring it back to solid ground.

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📞 Call us today at 780-249-5438

📧 Or email us at info@otlconcrete.ca

We’ll give you a free, honest assessment and a level surface you can count on.