Here’s how Mr. Level is saving homeowners thousands by helping them to avoid concrete replacement

By Olivia Bloom

For anyone who recently did a recon on their home’s exterior to see how well it weathered winter, and saw that their concrete driveway, walkway, patio or porch had noticeably settled and sunk in sections, it’s easy to assume you’ll have to replace it.

But you know what happens when you assume…

Just ask Joe Work, founder of Mr. Level polyurethane concrete leveling. He’s salvaged thousands of concrete slabs over the last three years.

“I’ve also owned a landscaping company for 18 years, and after I noticed how nasty many people’s driveways looked in the spring, I did some research into leveling,” he says.

“I underwent training in the innovative and non-invasive polyurethane fill method, which is eco-friendly and made in the USA from recycled materials. Then I invested in all the equipment.”

And a big reason for that is homeowners would rather pay less, a little less than half the cost, to repair rather than replace.

“An uneven and unsightly driveway or walkway can seriously detract from your home’s curb appeal and value, but it can also create a hazard for falls,” he says. “Not only will the problem get worse over time, but shifting concrete can also cause damage to the doors and structures connected to the slab.”

Another issue to be wary of when your driveway is out of alignment is causing water to flow toward the house, which can lead to basement leaks and foundation issues.

Here’s How it Works
Joe’s technicians arrive in their truck and strategically drill dime-sized holes into the affected slab of concrete. Then through a hose leading from the truck, they inject polyurethane foam slowly and deeply into the holes until the slab lifts to the desired level and has filled all the voided areas. After it’s perfectly even, they patch the holes.

Most jobs take an hour or two to complete, and homeowners can immediately walk or drive on the area.

Polyurethane has an impressive lifespan. It is not affected by water, does not change its shape or form, does not lose density, and will not break down over time as other materials often do.

“This is the premium method that produces the best, longest-lasting results,” says Joe. “There is another method in this industry called mudjacking. It involves creating more and bigger holes, about the circumference of a pop can, and injecting a compound of mud, sand and limestone underneath.”

He says one of the biggest differences between the methods is that mudjacking lasts about a year or two, and the polyurethane method lasts about 150 years and comes with Ohio’s only lifetime warranty.

In addition to concrete driveways, breakwalls have also become a big part of his business.

“People living along the lake have so much already invested in their breakwalls, we can easily help prevent them from failing, so you don’t lose your backyard,” he says. “We can also fix indoor concrete issues with slab homes and do commercial work as well.”

Joe is passionate about customer service and explains that educating the customer is an integral part of his process.

“After our estimators have visited the client, and before the job starts, we send them an informational video that explains everything they need to know,” he says.

And to finish the concrete care, Mr. Level also offers caulking, power washing and sealing to keep your driveway looking beautiful for years to come.

Headquartered in North Ridgeville, at 36954 Sugar Ridge Road, Mr. Level operates all over Northeast Ohio, for residential, commercial and municipal customers. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, NARI, NCBIA and HBA. Call 440-457-8299 or visit MrLevel.com for more information.