Slab Lifting Melbourne | Sinking Concrete Experts

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At Melbourne Underpinning Group, we recognise the challenges of sinking concrete in and around the home. Our expert team identifies these hazards, often concealed in internal environments, which signal deeper structural issues due to ground shifts and excessive pressure.

Leveraging our concrete levelling process, also known as slab jacking, we lift and stabilise these sunken slabs to prevent further sinking. Call us today to get a free assessment and determine the stability needs of your property’s concrete.

What Causes Sinking Concrete?

Sinking concrete is caused by the following:

Insufficient Sub-Soil Compaction

Sub-standard soil compaction practices during construction can result in sinking concrete. A lack of proper soil compaction leaves the ground filled with air, making it unstable for supporting the weight of concrete.

Damage Caused by Stormwater

Concrete sinking can result from stormwater damage when drains overflow, directing water toward your home’s foundation rather than away from it. Excessive soaking into the ground beneath your concrete surfaces leads to soil erosion, causing instability and eventual sinking.

Ground Vibrations

Ground vibrations from nearby construction activities, passing vehicles, or airplanes can cause concrete to sink. The intense vibrations shake and aerate the soil, resulting in instability.

Insufficient Drainage

Poor drainage is another factor that contributes to concrete sinking. The water comes from your home’s burst, cracked, or unconnected pipes, pooling into spots under your concrete slabs and floors. This causes the soil to become saturated, weak, and unstable.

How Can I Tell If I Have Sinking Concrete?

You can tell if you have sinking concrete based on the following indicators:

Slanted Floors

One clear sign of sinking concrete is a slanted floor. If one side of your concrete floor appears lower than the other, it forms a dangerous trip hazard, making it feel like you’re walking on uneven steps.

Bowing Floors

A concrete floor that dips in a concave shape, with the central area appearing lower than the edges, indicates sinking. If you notice objects rolling towards the centre of the room, it may be due to a bowing floor, a symptom of sunken concrete. This bowing can eventually cause internal doors to jam as the structural forces alter.

Skirting Board Gaps

Sinking concrete can cause your skirting boards to pull away from the base of your interior walls, revealing gaps. If your skirting boards aren’t sitting flush against your walls, your concrete floor will likely sink.

Why You Should Address Sinking Concrete

Ignoring sinking concrete poses urgent risks to your home’s safety and structural integrity. Unchecked, it escalates into severe hazards, from dangerous tripping points to misaligned doors.

Moreover, visible gaps under skirting boards could be the tip of a structural problem iceberg.

Immediately addressing sinking concrete is critical to avert potential injuries and dodge an expensive, comprehensive repair nightmare.

Our Slab Lifting Solutions

At Melbourne Underpinning Group, we fix sinking concrete slabs. Our “slab jacking” technique lifts and levels your concrete, boosting your home’s stability and avoiding structural problems like wall and ceiling cracks or jamming doors.

We use methods like mass concrete underpinning, steel pile underpinning, and cement grout underpinning to stop further sinking. Using state-of-the-art equipment, we bring your slabs back to level, ensuring your home’s structural soundness.