Wauwatosa Concrete Leveling FAQ
Who pays for sidewalk repairs in Wauwatosa?
The City of Wauwatosa makes property owners responsible for unsafe sidewalk next to their property. The city repairs flagged squares under a citywide contract and bills the owner as a special assessment. The city also lets owners hire their own contractor if they give notice by the deadline, so check your notice, ask the city whether lifting the squares meets the requirement, and then call us for a price.
Can you fix a sidewalk square pushed up by tree roots?
We cannot push a heaved square back down, because lifting only raises concrete. What we can often do is lift the sunken squares around it so the walk is even again. If the heaved square itself is the hazard, it may need to be cut or replaced, and we will tell you that up front.
Why does concrete settle so much in Wauwatosa?
Most of the ground in this part of Milwaukee County is clay-rich glacial soil that drains slowly and can hold water close to the surface in spring. Wet clay softens, dry clay shrinks, and freeze and thaw moves it every winter. Add tree roots, downspouts and settling backfill, and slabs drift out of line.
Will lifting work on the steps of an older home?
Often, yes. Solid concrete steps that have tipped or dropped can usually be lifted back toward the house and sealed against water. If the steps are badly cracked or crumbling, lifting will not fix that, and we will tell you when replacement makes more sense.
Is foam lifting or mudjacking better for my concrete?
Both raise concrete by pumping material underneath it. Polyurethane foam is light, needs smaller holes and cures in minutes, so it suits most driveways, walks and garage floors on clay soil. Traditional mudjacking still makes sense on some larger slabs. We look at the slab and the soil and tell you which one we would use and why.
How soon can I use my sidewalk or driveway?
Foam reaches most of its strength within minutes, so you can usually walk on the slab right away and drive on it the same day. Mudjacking needs a little longer to set. We tell you exactly when it is ready before we leave.
Do you work in the rest of Milwaukee County?
Yes. Besides Wauwatosa we work throughout Milwaukee County, including West Allis, Greenfield and Glendale, plus Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Sheboygan Counties.
