If you notice your steps or stoop separating from your house (as pictured at the bottom of this article) you may very well have a problem with unstable soil. Loose and weak soil can undermine structures of all types. When faced with a sinking structure, you generally have 4 choices:
- Ignore the problem. (Not a good idea, obviously.)
- Rip out the structure and replace it. This is the most expensive option, and it’s not always necessary. See our blog post Four Advantages of Lifting vs Replacement.
- Lift and stabilize with cement slurry. Known popularly as “mudjacking”, this process can be messy and time-consuming.
- Lift and stabilize with high-strength polyurethane. This if often the most efficient option. See our blog post Concrete Slab Jacking With Polyurethane Foam – How Strong is Strong Enough?
The “Before” photo below shows a front stoop that was separated from a house due to unstable soil. GCS stabilized the soil and lifted the stoop back into place, as pictured in the “After” photo.