Concrete driveway heaving and uneven — Chicago, Illinois
Concrete driveway slabs that lift, tilt, or become uneven are usually caused by frost heave (water in the sub-base freezing and expanding), tree root growth underneath, or poor compaction of the gravel base during original installation. The resulting trip hazards and pooling water worsen every freeze-thaw season. A concrete mason can mudjack (pump a cement slurry under the slab to lift it back to grade) for $500–$1,500 per slab, use polyurethane foam injection ($1,000–$3,000) for a lighter, longer-lasting lift, or remove and re-pour the affected section ($8–$15 per square foot). If root intrusion is the cause, the roots need to be addressed first or the heaving will recur.
Who to call
For this problem in Chicago, call a: Betonwerker
Vind een Betonwerker in ChicagoSymptoms to look for
- One or more driveway slabs sit noticeably higher than their neighbors
- A raised lip or ledge at a slab joint creates a trip hazard
- Water pools in low spots instead of draining toward the street
- Visible cracks radiating from the lifted section
- Slab rocks or wobbles underfoot when you step on the raised edge
Spoeddienst in Chicago
Emergency home services in Chicago are widely available 24/7, with typical response times of 30–60 minutes. After-hours rates range from $100–$200/hour. During polar vortex events, heating emergencies can see delays of 4–8 hours due to overwhelming demand. Illinois requires plumbing and electrical licenses for all work.