Concrete Lifting vs. Replacement: Which Is Right for Your Property?

Cracked, sunken, or uneven concrete isn’t just unattractive—it’s a safety hazard that can hurt your home’s value. Whether it’s your driveway, sidewalk, patio, or pool deck, you usually have two choices: full concrete replacement or polyurethane foam concrete lifting (also called foam injection).

At Force Masonry, we help homeowners across Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, Normal, and Springfield choose the solution that makes the most sense for their property and budget. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of what causes concrete problems in Central Illinois, plus how replacement and foam lifting compare in cost, time, and durability.

Why Concrete Settles in Central Illinois

Our soil and weather conditions create the perfect storm for concrete problems. Here are the biggest reasons slabs sink, shift, or crack:

  1. Freeze-Thaw Cycles – Water seeps into small cracks, freezes in winter, and expands, causing slabs to separate.
  2. Heavy Rains & Flooding – Saturated soil can wash away the support underneath your driveway, sidewalks, or patio.
  3. Drought & Soil Shrinkage – During dry summers, clay-rich Illinois soils contract, leaving gaps under slabs.
  4. Improper Backfill – If soil wasn’t compacted correctly when your home was built, voids form over time.
How Do You Take Care of Concrete?

Addressing foundation cracks early reduces the risk of bigger structural issues and keeps your basement dry.

Option 1: Full Concrete Replacement

This traditional approach removes and replaces your concrete entirely—but it’s often more expensive, disruptive, and time-consuming.

The Process:

  1. Break up and haul away old concrete
  2. Re-grade and compact the soil
  3. Pour new concrete and finish it
  4. Wait for curing and hardening before use

What It Really Costs

  1. Labor-Intensive – Several workers for multiple days
  2. Hauling & Disposal – $200–$500 for debris removal
  3. Permits – Often required in Central Illinois ($50–$150+)
  4. Landscape Disruption – Yards, walkways, or gardens can take a beating
concrete garage floor

Option 2: Polyurethane Concrete Lifting (Foam Injection)

At Force Masonry, we use polyurethane foam injection—a modern solution that restores sunken concrete in just one day, without the mess of replacement.

The Process

Drill small (¾”) injection holes in sunken areas

Inject high-density expanding foam

Foam fills voids and raises the slab back into place

Patch the holes for a clean finish

Performance & Durability

  1. Ready to walk on in 15–20 minutes
  2. Ready for vehicle traffic in 1–2 hours
  3. Foam supports over 8,000 psi (stronger than the concrete itself)
  4. Waterproof and resistant to future soil erosion
  5. No heavy equipment tearing up your yard
concrete leveling

Cost Comparison: Lifting vs. Replacement

Foam lifting typically saves 20–40% compared to replacement, making it the more affordable option for most homeowners.

Method Cost per sq ft Total for 200 sq ft
Full Replacement $8–$15* $1,600–$3,000
Foam Concrete Raising $5–$7* $1,000–$1,400

Time & Traffic Comparison

Method Cost per sq ft Total for 200 sq ft Total Duration Foot Traffic Vehicles
Full Replacement $8–$1*5 $1,600–$3,000 3–7 days 24–72 hours 5–7 days
Foam Concrete Raising $5–$*7 $1,000–$1,400 1 day 15–20 minutes 1–2 hours

*Pricing estimates for concrete leveling and traditional concrete replacement are based on an average project. Your project may vary. Free consultations and estimates are available before any work is done.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose Replacement If:

  1. Your concrete is crumbling or too damaged to save
  2. You want a brand-new look, color, or stamped finish

Choose Foam Lifting If:

  1. Your concrete is structurally sound but uneven
  2. You want a fast, clean, and affordable fix
  3. You want to preserve your landscaping and avoid major disruption

Schedule Your Free Concrete Lifting or Replacement Estimate

Uneven or damaged concrete doesn’t just look bad—it creates safety risks and lowers your property value. At Force Masonry, we offer two proven solutions: polyurethane concrete lifting for a fast, clean, and cost-effective fix, or full concrete replacement when a brand-new surface is the best option.

Most lifting projects are completed in a single day, while our replacement services provide a fresh, durable finish designed to last for years.

Call us today at 309-642-5332 to schedule your free concrete repair estimate in Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, Normal, or Springfield.