Whether your house is a historical home or it’s a newer build, you’ve likely noticed some areas where water pools, especially after a heavy rainfall or when snow melts. Concrete is one of the most durable manmade materials, but it cracks and sinks over time as the soil under the slab settles. Water pooling on top of concrete is often because it sank, whether from years of exposure to the elements, soil erosion, or soil settling and shifting.
Water pooling on concrete can be a nuisance to deal with, often sticking around until it either evaporates or drains off the slab. Continue reading to learn about why water pools on concrete, some signs you need immediate concrete repair, and the best concrete repair method to prevent pooling water.
Why Does Water Pool on Concrete?
You’ve noticed that water is pooling on your concrete slab, sidewalk, porch, pool deck, or driveway, but why? Shouldn’t the water flow from the concrete, not gather on top? Water pools on concrete for many reasons:
- Insufficient slope that wasn’t designed for proper water runoff
- Sunken concrete
- Concrete sealer that prevents absorption
- Uneven curing or finishing during installation
- Tree roots that have lifted an area of the concrete slab
- Poor drainage
- The ground beneath the concrete has settled
- Unstable soil
- Freeze-thaw cycles
- Excessive heat/sun exposure
Whatever the reason, water pooling on concrete is a nuisance. Not only does it create an eyesore, but it also creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes, a slip-and-fall risk, foundation concerns, and other structural issues, and further damage to the concrete.
5 Signs You Need Immediate Concrete Repair
Though pooling water on concrete is a cause for concern, it doesn’t always require immediate repair. However, if you notice any of the following signs, you should contact a professional concrete repair company like Pro Polyjacking to assess and repair your sunken concrete immediately:
Water Remains for Long Periods
Oftentimes, when water pools on concrete, it’ll drain away within a day. However, water that remains for long periods—longer than 48 hours—requires immediate repair. If water doesn’t drain away from the concrete slab, it indicates a persistent issue that will worsen over time. Water should ideally drain away after a few hours or 24 hours, but if it remains for a couple of days after rain has stopped, it needs to be repaired.
The Concrete is Cracked/Sunken
Water pooling on concrete signifies it lacks proper drainage, but that doesn’t usually mean it’s a cause for immediate concern. However, if the concrete where the water is pooling is cracked or sunken, you’ll need to repair it as soon as possible. Why? Sunken and cracked concrete with pooling water often indicates water seeping beneath the slab, causing further cracking and sinking.
The Pooling Water is a Slip Hazard
Is the pooling water on the concrete near an area where people walk or gather? If so, it’s time to get it repaired immediately. Standing water creates a slip-and-fall risk, putting those you love at risk of serious injury. Water, especially when it’s on smooth concrete or has developed moss or algae, increases a surface’s slipperiness, causing injury. Pooling water is especially dangerous if you have children, the elderly, or anyone with mobility challenges on your property.
Water is Pooling Near the Foundation
Our home foundations were designed to prevent water from pooling against or near them. Standing water near a foundation can cause a whole slew of issues, including foundation cracks and structural damage that requires costly repair. However, some foundations will develop standing water from concrete walkways, patios, and porches where the concrete is cracked or sinking. If you notice water pooling on concrete that’s near your foundation, contact a professional to repair it immediately to prevent structural damage.
The Pooling Water is Growing Larger/Deeper
Is that standing water that often accumulates on your front porch growing larger, or is the water getting deeper with each rainfall? If so, consider getting it repaired immediately to prevent it from worsening. When pooling water grows larger or deeper, it means the concrete has sunk even further, creating a larger area for water to collect.
How to Fix/Prevent Pooling Water on Concrete
While pooling water on concrete can cause significant damage, it can be fixed and prevented with proper repair. While some concrete repair methods, like a DIY attempt or mudjacking, are temporary fixes, polyjacking is the best concrete repair method for fixing and preventing water pooling on concrete.
Polyjacking is not simply a method of lifting sunken concrete; it relies on expanding polyurethane foam to restore concrete surfaces to their proper positions to prevent pooling water. The polyjacking process involves injecting a specialized polyurethane foam beneath the affected concrete. As the material expands, it fills voids in the underlying soil and applies controlled upward pressure, raising the slab back toward its intended elevation. The foam is engineered to be strong, durable, and lightweight while providing long-term support beneath the concrete.
One of the primary advantages of polyurethane foam is its low weight compared to traditional mudjacking materials. While mudjacking requires large amounts of heavy slurry, polyurethane foam adds minimal weight to the underlying soil. After injection, the foam expands rapidly, cures quickly, and resists water infiltration. By stabilizing the soil and supporting the slab from below, polyjacking offers a durable repair solution.
Trust Pro Polyjacking, Kansas City’s Premier Polyjacking Company for Over 30 Years, for Your Concrete Repair
If you need sunken or cracked concrete repaired, hiring Pro Polyjacking is the best concrete leveling solution. We have over 30 years of industry experience and have been serving Kansas City homeowners for decades. We’re a woman and family-owned local business with positive reviews and thousands of satisfied customers. Below are some of our customer reviews:
Pro Polyjacking can help with all commercial and residential concrete leveling needs in and around Kansas City, including: residential concrete leveling, commercial and industrial concrete leveling, concrete sealing and cleaning, deep injection, joint and crack repair, and farm silo polyjacking. We hold all required licenses and insurance that protect our employees. Get started by requesting a quote today!