We love a good DIY project as much as the next Iowan. Painting a room? Go for it. Building a backyard fire pit? Heck yes. But when it comes to concrete leveling… let’s just say it’s not your average weekend warrior task. Here’s how to know when to break out the toolbox and when to give the pros a call (spoiler alert: it involves mud and math).
What Homeowners Think They Can Fix Themselves
With enough YouTube confidence, some homeowners attempt to fill cracks or shim slabs themselves. While that might seem like a temporary fix, it often ends up being just that—temporary. Quick patches don’t address the root cause: voids and unstable soil under the slab.
Common DIY approaches we see (and often fix later):
- Pouring more concrete over sunken areas
- Filling cracks with sealant but ignoring shifting slabs
- Using foam kits that don’t last in Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles
If you’re noticing uneven sidewalks or walkways, patching may just mask the issue rather than solve it.
What Professional Concrete Leveling Actually Involves
Concrete leveling isn’t just about making things look good on the surface—it’s about lifting the entire slab evenly and securely. At A1 Concrete Leveling Des Moines, we use a natural limestone slurry that fills in voids below your concrete, gently and permanently raising it back into place.
Benefits of calling the pros:
- Precision leveling that addresses the root cause
- Durability for Iowa’s weather swings
- No damage to surrounding landscaping or structures
And for anything involving steps, porches, or patios, safe access is a must. This isn’t the time to test your luck with an online tutorial.
The DIY Test: When Can You Handle It?
Here’s a quick checklist. If you answer “yes” to any of these, it’s time to call in the pros:
- Is the slab sinking or tilting?
- Do you notice water pooling or drainage issues?
- Are you seeing multiple connected cracks?
- Is it a high-traffic or entry area?
Still not sure? Contact us for a no-pressure assessment through our contact form. We’ll let you know if it’s something you can monitor—or something we can fix fast.
Your concrete doesn’t need to be perfect—but it does need to be safe.
