Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles and clay-heavy soils wreck concrete. Cracks, settling, spalling, and joint failure are normal after 15–20 years — even on properly poured slabs. The question is always: repair or replace?
Repair Services
- Crack repair — epoxy injection (structural cracks), urethane caulk (non-structural)
- Slab lifting — polyurethane foam injection raises sunken slabs to grade
- Resurfacing — micro-topping or overlay covers cosmetic damage
- Spall repair — patch flaked surfaces with polymer-modified mortar
- Joint resealing — replace failed control joint sealant
- Caulking — expansion joint caulking on driveways, patios, garage floors
When to Repair vs Replace
| Damage | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| Hairline surface cracks | Seal and reseal joints |
| Cracks 1/4”–1/2” no heave | Fill, resurface |
| Settled slab, sound concrete | Polyurethane lifting |
| Spalled top 1/4” only | Resurface with overlay |
| Heaved, broken, or settled with cracks | Replace |
| Tree-root heave | Replace + root removal |
| Multiple repaired areas | Replace |
Pricing
| Repair type | Range |
|---|---|
| Crack repair (epoxy or caulk) | $4 – $8 / linear ft |
| Polyurethane slab lifting | $5 – $12 / sq ft of lifted area |
| Resurfacing (micro-topping) | $4 – $8 / sq ft |
| Spall patching | $30 – $80 per patch |
| Joint resealing | $1 – $3 / linear ft |
| Replacement (tear out + repour) | $8 – $14 / sq ft |
Polyurethane Slab Lifting
Modern replacement for mudjacking. Crews drill 5/8” holes, inject expanding polyurethane foam, the foam pushes the slab back to grade within minutes. Holes patched with color-matched grout. Walk on it immediately.
Best for: sunken sidewalks, patios, driveways, garage floors, pool decks, steps.
Iowa Causes of Damage
- Freeze-thaw spalling — top 1/8” flakes off due to deicer + freeze cycle
- Subgrade settlement — clay soils dry/shrink, slabs sink
- Heave from frost — water expands when freezing, lifts slabs
- Tree root pressure — silver maples and oaks especially
- Bad drainage — water under slab causes erosion + settlement
We diagnose root cause before quoting. Repairs without fixing the source come back.
Free Repair Inspection
Free written assessment with photos, repair scope, and pricing. Most repairs schedule within 1–2 weeks.
Common Repair Scopes in the Des Moines Metro
Most repair calls fall into a few buckets:
- Sunken sidewalk panels along older Drake and Beaverdale streets — polyurethane lift, $200–$500 per panel
- Sunken garage approach at the apron — polyurethane lift or partial repour
- Spalled driveway surface — top 1/4” flaking from rock-salt damage on 5–15 year old pours; resurface with micro-topping
- Cracked patio at footing line — settlement plus inadequate joint plan; saw, fill, reseal
- Heaved sidewalk from tree roots — root removal, slab lift or replace, root barrier install
- Foundation horizontal cracks — carbon-fiber strap repair (no excavation, full-day install)
- Stoop or step settlement — polyurethane injection, often same-day
How Long Repairs Last
| Repair type | Realistic lifespan when done right |
|---|---|
| Polyurethane slab lift | 15–25 years (subgrade stays stable) |
| Crack injection (epoxy structural) | Permanent if crack is non-active |
| Crack caulking (urethane) | 5–10 years before recaulk |
| Resurfacing (micro-topping) | 15–25 years if drainage is corrected |
| Spall patch | 7–15 years depending on traffic + sealing |
| Carbon-fiber wall reinforcement | Permanent if soil pressure is managed |
The catch is “if the root cause is fixed.” Lifting a sunken slab without diverting the downspout that washed out the subgrade only buys you 2–3 years. We diagnose, then repair.
Repair vs Replace Decision Framework
If two or more of these are true, replacement is usually the right call:
- Surface spalling covers > 40% of the slab
- Through-cracks wider than 3/8” across more than half the panels
- Visible heave or settlement greater than 1.5”
- Slab is older than 30 years and has been previously repaired
- Drainage cannot be corrected without tearing out the slab
If only one is true and the rest of the slab is sound, targeted repair extends life 15–25 years at a fraction of the replacement cost.
Service Area
Repair work throughout Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee, Clive, Altoona, Johnston, Grimes, Pleasant Hill, Norwalk, and surrounding Polk and Dallas County communities.