Concrete Resurfacing Lawrence KS
Fixing Your Uneven Concrete Problems
Last month, I was talking with Sarah, who lives over in the Deerfield neighborhood. She told me about how her driveway had gotten so uneven that her teenage son actually tripped walking to his car one morning. The concrete had settled unevenly after all those Kansas winters, creating this annoying lip that was maybe two inches high. She said she was embarrassed when friends came over because the walkway looked so rough.
That’s exactly the kind of problem we see all the time here in Lawrence. Whether you’re dealing with a sunken patio in Old West Lawrence or uneven sidewalks near the KU campus, concrete problems don’t just go away on their own. They actually get worse over time, especially with our crazy weather here in Kansas.
What Exactly is Concrete Resurfacing?
Think of concrete resurfacing like giving your concrete a fresh start. Instead of tearing everything out and starting over (which costs a fortune), we basically lift and level your existing concrete back to where it should be.
The most effective way we do this is through a process called polyurethane foam injection. We drill small holes in your concrete – about the size of a penny – and inject expanding foam underneath. This foam lifts the concrete back up to the right level and fills any voids that caused the settling in the first place.
It’s honestly pretty amazing to watch. I remember working on a job over on Massachusetts Street where the business owner’s sidewalk had dropped almost 3 inches. After we finished, you couldn’t even tell there had been a problem. The whole process took about half a day instead of weeks of jackhammering and pouring new concrete.
Why Lawrence Homes and Businesses Need Concrete Resurfacing
Living in Lawrence means dealing with soil that loves to shift around. Our clay-heavy soil expands when it gets wet (which happens a lot during spring storms) and then contracts when it dries out during those hot summer months. This constant expansion and contraction creates voids under your concrete, leading to settling and uneven surfaces.
I’ve been doing concrete work in Lawrence for over 15 years, and I can tell you that certain areas of town have it worse than others. The older neighborhoods like Old West Lawrence have concrete that’s been through decades of this cycle. Meanwhile, newer developments in areas like Deerfield might look fine now, but they’re dealing with the same soil issues.
Commercial properties face even bigger challenges. The parking lot outside the shops on Massachusetts Street gets constant heavy traffic, plus all that freeze-thaw action during winter months. When concrete settles there, it’s not just an eyesore – it becomes a real liability issue.
Common Concrete Problems in Lawrence Neighborhoods
Old West Lawrence
The historic homes in this area often have concrete that’s 30, 40, or even 50 years old. I’ve worked on Victorian homes where the front steps had settled so much that there was a 4-inch drop from the porch to the walkway. The beautiful thing about concrete resurfacing is that we can fix these problems without disturbing the historic character of these properties.
Deerfield and West Hills
These newer subdivisions have their own challenges. The concrete might be relatively new, but the soil prep wasn’t always done perfectly during construction. I’ve seen driveways that started settling within just a few years because water was getting underneath and washing away the base material.
KU Campus Area
Rental properties around campus take a beating. Between heavy foot traffic from students and minimal maintenance from some landlords, sidewalks and steps can become real safety hazards. I worked on a property on Louisiana Street where three different tenants had complained about tripping on uneven concrete before the landlord finally called us.
Massachusetts Street Business District
The commercial area faces unique challenges with heavy delivery trucks and constant traffic. Plus, with all the underground utilities, there are lots of opportunities for soil to settle unevenly. One restaurant owner told me customers were actually avoiding his place because the uneven sidewalk out front looked unprofessional.
How Lawrence Weather Makes Concrete Problems Worse
Our Kansas climate is basically designed to mess with concrete. Those hot summers – we’re talking 90+ degrees for weeks at a time – cause the soil underneath to dry out and shrink. Then winter hits with freezing temperatures that can crack concrete and create more opportunities for water to get underneath.
Spring is probably the worst time for concrete problems. All that snowmelt and heavy rain saturates the soil, washing away the base material that supports your concrete. I always tell people that if they’re going to notice new settling or cracks, it’ll probably be right after spring rains.
The freeze-thaw cycle we get in late winter and early spring is particularly brutal. Water gets into small cracks, freezes and expands, making the cracks bigger. Then it thaws and more water gets in. It’s like Mother Nature is specifically trying to destroy your concrete.
Why Professional Concrete Resurfacing Beats DIY Solutions
I’ve seen too many homeowners try to fix concrete problems themselves with concrete caulk or sand. The problem is that these solutions don’t address what caused the settling in the first place. You might fill a crack today, but if there’s still a void underneath your concrete, it’s going to keep settling.
Professional concrete resurfacing actually fixes the root cause. When we inject polyurethane foam, we’re not just lifting the concrete – we’re filling those voids permanently. The foam doesn’t absorb water like other materials, so it won’t break down over time.
I also see people trying to use mudjacking (pumping concrete slurry underneath). While this can work, it’s messier, takes longer to cure, and the holes we have to drill are much larger. Plus, if the original base material washed away, you’re just adding more weight to an unstable foundation.
The Real Benefits of Getting Your Concrete Fixed Right
Beyond just making your property look better, level concrete is genuinely safer. I can’t tell you how many liability concerns I’ve helped eliminate by fixing uneven sidewalks and driveways. Insurance companies definitely notice these kinds of hazards.
There’s also the value aspect. When potential buyers see uneven concrete, they immediately start thinking about expensive repairs. Getting your concrete resurfaced is way more cost-effective than replacement, but it gives you similar results in terms of curb appeal and functionality.
For businesses especially, professional-looking concrete makes a huge difference in customer perception. I’ve had restaurant and retail owners tell me that fixing their uneven sidewalks actually brought in more foot traffic because the entrance looked more welcoming and professional.
Concrete Resurfacing for Lawrence Businesses
Commercial concrete resurfacing is honestly one of my favorite types of projects because the results are so dramatic. Businesses deal with heavier loads, more traffic, and higher liability risks than residential properties.
Loading docks are a big issue I see regularly. When concrete settles around loading areas, it creates dangerous gaps and uneven surfaces that can damage delivery trucks or injure workers. We’ve fixed several warehouse loading docks around Lawrence where the concrete had settled enough to create serious safety hazards.
Retail businesses have different concerns. Uneven sidewalks and parking lots don’t just look unprofessional – they can actually keep customers away. I worked on a strip mall where several businesses were losing foot traffic because the sidewalk was so uneven that elderly customers and people with mobility issues couldn’t navigate it safely.
Choosing the Right Concrete Resurfacing Company in Lawrence
Not all concrete companies understand the specific challenges we face here in Lawrence. The clay soil, the extreme temperature swings, the heavy spring rains – these all require experience with local conditions.
When you’re looking for concrete resurfacing in Lawrence KS, make sure the company uses polyurethane foam injection rather than older methods. The foam is lighter, stronger, and more permanent than concrete slurry. It also cures immediately, so you can use your concrete right away instead of waiting days.
Also ask about their experience with your specific type of property. Residential driveways require different approaches than commercial loading docks. Historic properties in Old West Lawrence need contractors who understand how to work around older construction methods.
Getting Started with Your Concrete Resurfacing Project
The best time to address concrete problems is before they get worse. That small crack in your driveway or that slightly uneven section of sidewalk will only get bigger and more expensive to fix over time.
Most concrete resurfacing projects in Lawrence can be completed in a single day. We drill the small holes, inject the foam, seal everything up, and you’re back to normal. No waiting for concrete to cure, no major disruption to your daily routine.
If you’re dealing with uneven concrete anywhere on your Lawrence property – whether it’s a residential driveway in Deerfield or a commercial sidewalk downtown – concrete resurfacing is probably the most practical and cost-effective solution. The technology has come a long way in recent years, and the results really speak for themselves.
The key is working with someone who understands Lawrence’s unique challenges and has the right equipment and experience to fix your concrete problems permanently. After all, you don’t want to be dealing with the same issues again in a few years.
