Winter is rough on concrete. The freezing temperatures, constant thawing, and moisture seeping into cracks can leave your driveway, sidewalks, or patio looking uneven, cracked, or sunken once the snow melts. Maybe you’ve noticed a new trip hazard on your walkway or pooling on your pool deck. These aren’t just cosmetic issues—they’re signs that your concrete needs attention before the damage worsens.
Ignoring these warning indicators can lead to expensive repairs, safety hazards, and foundation problems. The good news? There’s a solution that doesn’t involve tearing out and replacing your concrete. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top three signs that your concrete needs leveling after winter—and how fixing it now can save you time, money, and stress.
Sign #1 – Uneven Or Sunken Concrete In Driveways And Walkways
Have you noticed your driveway looking slightly lopsided or felt a sudden dip while walking on your sidewalk? Uneven or sunken concrete is one of the biggest warning signs that winter has left its mark on your property. If you see slabs that don’t sit flush with each other, small drop-offs, or pooling water, your concrete has likely been affected by frost heave, soil shifting, or erosion—all common after months of freezing temperatures.
Why Winter Wrecks Your Concrete
During winter, the freeze-thaw cycle causes the ground beneath your concrete to expand and contract. When moisture seeps under the slab and freezes, it pushes the concrete upward (frost heave). Then, when temperatures rise, the ground thaws, creating air pockets where the slab can sink. Add erosion from melting snow and ice, and you have a recipe for uneven, sinking concrete.
What to Look For
👀 Slabs that don’t align properly—one side higher than the other
👀 Gaps between slabs where the ground has shifted
👀 Cracks forming along uneven sections
👀 Puddles of water collecting on low spots
Real-World Example Of One Homeowner With Uneven Driveway
When Larry C. noticed his uneven driveway, he turned to Regional Foundation & Crawl Space Repair for help. Thanks to the team’s expertise, his driveway was leveled and restored—and he couldn’t be happier with the results.
“I want to thank Zach Bradley and Enrique for leveling my uneven concrete driveway into a smooth, level driveway. They were very professional and courteous in accomplishing their mission. I would highly endorse the Regional Foundation and Crawl Space Repair as long as such repairman is of their caliber. Thank you, Zach and Enrique, for a job well done.” – Larry C.
At Regional Foundation & Crawl Space Repair, we take pride in providing top-quality concrete leveling and foundation repairs with skilled professionals who do the job right. If you’re dealing with uneven, cracked, or sinking concrete, let our team help—just like we did for Larry.
📞 Contact us today for a FREE concrete inspection!
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
🚨 Tripping hazards: Uneven concrete is a major safety risk for your family, guests, or customers.
🚨 Water damage risk: Low spots collect water, which can seep into your foundation or basement.
🚨 Property value drop: Cracked, sunken concrete hurts curb appeal and home resale value.
Sign #2 – Cracks In Concrete Slabs Near Foundations
If you’ve noticed cracks forming in the concrete slabs near your foundation, don’t ignore them. What might seem like a minor cosmetic issue can quickly become a serious structural problem if left untreated.
Why Small Cracks Get Worse Over Time
Concrete naturally expands and contracts with changing temperatures, but winter weather speeds up this process. One of the main reasons is the freeze-thaw cycle—when moisture seeps into small cracks during warmer hours and then freezes overnight. As the water expands, it puts pressure on the concrete, gradually making the cracks wider. Over time, this can weaken the surface and create bigger gaps that allow more water, repeating the cycle.
Concrete Cracks Vs. Foundation Cracks – What’s The Difference?
Many homeowners see cracks near their foundations and worry about structural failure. The key is knowing what type of crack you’re dealing with:
✔ Surface-Level Concrete Cracks—These are common in driveways, sidewalks, and patios. They can be caused by weather, settling, or poor installation. Concrete resurfacing and leveling can help.
🚨 Foundation Cracks – If cracks extend into your foundation walls or basement floor, this is a bigger concern. They can indicate foundation movement, water intrusion, or soil shifting.
Sign #3 – Water Pooling On Patios And Pool Decks
After winter, you may notice water pooling on your patio or around your pool deck—a clear sign that the concrete has settled unevenly. While it might seem minor, standing water can lead to bigger issues, from slip hazards to long-term concrete deterioration.
Why Does Water Pool On Concrete Surfaces?
The problem often starts beneath the surface. Improper drainage and soil erosion are two of the biggest culprits behind sunken concrete. When rainwater, melting snow, or irrigation washes away the supporting soil, it creates empty spaces under the concrete. Over time, this causes sections to sink unevenly, resulting in low spots where water collects instead of draining properly.
The Hidden Dangers Of Standing Water
🚨 Slip-and-Fall Risks: Pooled water makes surfaces dangerously slick, especially around pool decks and patios where people walk barefoot. For businesses and commercial properties, standing water on walkways can create liability concerns if someone gets injured.
🚨 Water Damage: If water consistently pools near your home’s foundation, it can seep into your home’s basement or crawl space, especially when you don’t have waterproofing. This raises the risk of moisture issues, mold, and structural problems.
🚨 Concrete Deterioration: Water weakens concrete over time, leading to faster cracking, surface erosion, and costly patio and pool deck repairs.
How Concrete Leveling Fixes The Problem
Rather than removing and replacing sunken concrete, concrete leveling is a faster, more affordable solution. Using PolyLevel foam injection, sunken slabs are lifted back to their original position, restoring proper water runoff and eliminating trip hazards. The process is non-invasive, quick-curing, and long-lasting, ensuring your patio or pool deck remains safe and functional for years.
Why Winter Causes Concrete Damage (The Science Behind It)
Winter can be tough on concrete, and the damage often isn’t noticeable until spring. The combination of freezing temperatures, shifting soil, and excess moisture creates the perfect conditions for cracks, sinking slabs, and uneven surfaces.
The Freeze-Thaw Cycle
One of the biggest culprits of winter concrete damage is the freeze-thaw cycle. When moisture penetrates into tiny cracks in the concrete, it freezes and expands as temperatures drop, forcing the crack to widen. As the ice melts, the water settles deeper into the slab—only to freeze and expand again the next time temperatures drop. Over time, this repeated process weakens the concrete, leading to larger cracks and surface deterioration.
Soil Movement
The soil beneath your concrete also plays a big role in its stability. Different soil types react differently to moisture and freezing temperatures:
- Clay soil types expand when wet and contract when dry, causing slabs to shift.
- Silt soil holds moisture, increasing the risk of erosion under concrete.
- Sandy soil drains well but can shift easily, creating voids beneath slabs.
If the soil under your concrete expands, contracts, or washes away, the concrete can sink or crack, creating trip hazards and drainage issues.
Fix Your Concrete Now & Avoid Bigger Problems Later
Let’s be real—concrete damage doesn’t fix itself. Those cracks will spread, sunken slabs will sink further, and the longer you wait, the worse (and more expensive) the problem gets. The best time to fix winter concrete damage? Right now—before spring storms make it even worse.
At Regional Foundation & Crawl Space Repair, we specialize in PolyLevel concrete leveling, a quick, effective, and long-lasting solution to lift and stabilize sinking concrete. Whether it’s your driveway, sidewalk, patio, or commercial property, we can quickly get it back to safe, even, and durable condition.
📞 Don’t wait until it’s a major repair. Contact us today for a FREE inspection and get your concrete leveled before it costs you more.
