Visual guides
Settlement, explained in pictures
Seven original conceptual diagrams from PolyJacking.ca and HAUSE. Each has a text version. None are photos of real projects.
Conceptual illustration
What happens under a settled slab
Water and loose fill leave a void; foam injected through small holes fills it and lifts the slab.
1 · Void forms
Water, erosion or poorly compacted fill leaves a gap under part of the slab.
2 · Slab drops
Unsupported concrete sinks, creating trip edges and slope toward the house.
3 · Small holes
The contractor drills small injection holes at planned points.
4 · Foam fills & lifts
Expanding polyurethane fills the void and raises the slab in controlled steps.
Text version
- 1 · Void forms: Water, erosion or poorly compacted fill leaves a gap under part of the slab.
- 2 · Slab drops: Unsupported concrete sinks, creating trip edges and slope toward the house.
- 3 · Small holes: The contractor drills small injection holes at planned points.
- 4 · Foam fills & lifts: Expanding polyurethane fills the void and raises the slab in controlled steps.
Conceptual illustration
The water–soil–settlement cycle
Runoff softens or washes out soil, the slab drops, open joints let in more water — unless drainage is fixed.
- 1
Rain or snowmelt runs toward the slab (downspouts, grading)
- 2
Soil under the edge softens or washes out
- 3
The slab loses support and settles
- 4
Open joints and cracks let more water in
Break the cycle: redirect downspouts, correct grading and seal joints — otherwise a lifted slab can settle again.
Text version
- Rain or snowmelt runs toward the slab (downspouts, grading)
- Soil under the edge softens or washes out
- The slab loses support and settles
- Open joints and cracks let more water in
- Break the cycle by fixing drainage and sealing joints.
Conceptual illustration
Lift, replace, or check the structure first?
A simple decision path from what you see to the kind of review that makes sense.
1New wall cracks, sticking doors, or not sure?
Yes → Structural review first
No → Next question
2Heaved, mixed movement, or crumbling concrete?
Yes → Replacement or repair review
No → Next question
3Intact slab that dropped?
Yes → Likely worth a lifting assessment
No → Replacement or repair review
Text version
- New wall cracks, sticking doors, or not sure? Yes → Structural review first. No → Next question.
- Heaved, mixed movement, or crumbling concrete? Yes → Replacement or repair review. No → Next question.
- Intact slab that dropped? Yes → Likely worth a lifting assessment. No → Replacement or repair review.
Conceptual illustration
From request to follow-up
How a PolyJacking.ca request moves from your description to a contractor’s assessment.
- 1
You describe it
Tell us about the slab, location and timing. Photos are optional.
- 2
HAUSE reviews
The intake team reads your request and checks availability in your area.
- 3
Contractor assesses
If a suitable contractor or partner is available, they arrange a site look.
- 4
You decide
The contractor explains options and quotes. There’s no obligation.
Text version
- You describe it: Tell us about the slab, location and timing. Photos are optional.
- HAUSE reviews: The intake team reads your request and checks availability in your area.
- Contractor assesses: If a suitable contractor or partner is available, they arrange a site look.
- You decide: The contractor explains options and quotes. There’s no obligation.
Conceptual illustration
What drives cost on a specific site
The site factors that change scope. No prices — a contractor quotes after assessment.
Area & number of slabs
More panels means more injection points and set-up.
Adds scope: Several separate areas
How far it must lift
Larger drops take more material and care.
Adds scope: Deep settlement
Void size underneath
Unknown until drilled; big voids use more foam.
Adds scope: Washed-out soil
Access
Distance for hoses, obstacles and working space.
Adds scope: Backyards, tight side yards
Concrete condition
Cracks may need sealing; some slabs can’t be lifted.
Adds scope: Many cracks
Drainage fixes
Downspouts or grading may need work so it lasts.
Adds scope: Water toward slab
Product & site conditions
Foam type and weather affect the approach.
Adds scope: Cold or wet season
No prices are published. Scope and cost are set by the contractor after seeing the site.
Text version
- Area & number of slabs: More panels means more injection points and set-up. Tends to add scope: Several separate areas.
- How far it must lift: Larger drops take more material and care. Tends to add scope: Deep settlement.
- Void size underneath: Unknown until drilled; big voids use more foam. Tends to add scope: Washed-out soil.
- Access: Distance for hoses, obstacles and working space. Tends to add scope: Backyards, tight side yards.
- Concrete condition: Cracks may need sealing; some slabs can’t be lifted. Tends to add scope: Many cracks.
- Drainage fixes: Downspouts or grading may need work so it lasts. Tends to add scope: Water toward slab.
- Product & site conditions: Foam type and weather affect the approach. Tends to add scope: Cold or wet season.
Conceptual illustration
Concrete photo field guide
Four shots that tell the story of a settled slab, taken from safe ground.
Whole area
Step back so the slab and surroundings are in frame.
Worst joint
Close-up of the trip edge or largest drop.
Water source
Downspouts, grading, stains or pooling marks.
Scale
A tape measure beside the drop.
Text version
- Whole area: Step back so the slab and surroundings are in frame.
- Worst joint: Close-up of the trip edge or largest drop.
- Water source: Downspouts, grading, stains or pooling marks.
- Scale: A tape measure beside the drop.
- Take photos from stable, dry ground.
Conceptual illustration
Documenting concrete damage for an insurance question
Record what you see, ask your insurer what they need, then request a concrete assessment if it helps. The assessment does not decide coverage.
- 1
Document observations
From safe ground, take dated photos and write down factual notes: what moved, where, and when you noticed.
- 2
Contact your insurer
Ask your insurance representative about your policy and which documents they need.
- 3
Clarify the scope
Confirm what they want described — for example the slab’s condition, or a contractor’s written observations.
- 4
Request a concrete assessment
If useful, ask HAUSE for a concrete assessment. It records the slab; it does not determine coverage.
Steps 1–3 are between you and your insurer. HAUSE only handles step 4 and does not file claims, notify insurers or decide coverage.
Text version
- Document observations: From safe ground, take dated photos and write down factual notes: what moved, where, and when you noticed.
- Contact your insurer: Ask your insurance representative about your policy and which documents they need.
- Clarify the scope: Confirm what they want described — for example the slab’s condition, or a contractor’s written observations.
- Request a concrete assessment: If useful, ask HAUSE for a concrete assessment. It records the slab; it does not determine coverage.
- HAUSE does not file claims, contact insurers or decide coverage.
Want to apply this to your slab? Try the tools.
Have a settled slab?
Describe it, add photos if you have them, and the HAUSE intake team will review your request and confirm whether a suitable contractor is available near you.
Request an assessment