From Trip Hazard to Smooth Horizon: A Waterloo Concrete Leveling Success Story
Challenge
The Problem: A homeowner in Waterloo, Iowa, reached out to MidAmerica Basement Systems with growing safety concerns regarding their concrete sidewalk. Over time, the soil beneath the concrete had eroded, creating empty pockets or "pesky voids." Without proper subgrade support, the heavy concrete slabs unevenly sank into the ground.
The Risk: This shifting created dramatic, faulty angles and significant vertical lips between the slabs. The resulting uneven walkway posed a high-risk trip hazard for family members and guests, threatening to turn everyday outdoor activities and backyard barbecues into dangerous liabilities.
The Diagnostic: System Design Specialist Shawn Conaway conducted a thorough on-site evaluation of the property. He identified that while the concrete slabs themselves were still structurally intact, the underlying soil failure was the root cause of the sinking.
Solution
The Strategy: Rather than recommending a costly, messy, and time-consuming concrete replacement (demolition and repouring), Shawn designed a minimally invasive restoration plan utilizing advanced geopolymer injection and joint sealing. Foreman Ricky Sigala and his specialized production crew were deployed to execute the structural remediation following a precise, two-step system.
Step 1: Slab Lifting and Stabilization via PolyLevel®: The crew drilled small, penny-sized holes into the sunken concrete slabs and injected PolyLevel®, a high-strength, waterproof polyurethane foam, beneath the surface. Upon injection, the foam underwent a chemical reaction, expanding rapidly to fill the underlying voids. The immense, controlled lifting pressure of the foam gently raised the drooping concrete back to its original, level position. This achieved immediate stabilization, ensuring the slabs would no longer sink under weight.
Step 2: Environmental Protection via NexusPro®: With the sidewalk perfectly leveled, the crew applied NexusPro® Joint Sealant along the joints and cracks. This specialized sealant is highly resistant to UV rays and harsh Midwestern weather conditions. By sealing these gaps, the team created a barrier that prevents moisture, water runoff, and weeds from penetrating the soil underneath, safeguarding the repair against future erosion.
The Results: The entire production was completed cleanly and efficiently, leaving the job site immaculate. The dangerous, faulty tilts were completely eliminated, replaced by a smooth, uniform horizon. The homeowner’s anxiety regarding trip-and-fall injuries was fully resolved, allowing them to host barbecues and enjoy evening strolls on a safe, permanently stabilized sidewalk.
