Hi I have this issue with my concrete path around the side of my house how can i fix this it appears to have sunken causing a divet where water sits in the centre after rain it has also eaten abit of the footing on the house. Any sugestions on a inexpensive fix for now any suggestions would be a great help thankyou.
Hi @mills28,
Unfortunately, there isn't really a great inexpensive fix for this as the actual issue lies underneath the concrete. Slabs drop because the substrate has shifted or eroded, and fixing sunken concrete properly, needs to be done from underneath.
The first step would be to have a licensed plumber inspect that pipe for leaks or damage. As the concrete has dropped directly around it, there is a possibility that escaping water has washed soil away beneath the path. Any leak would need to be repaired before addressing the sunken concrete, otherwise it may continue to move.
Once the plumbing has been checked, you could contact a concrete levelling specialist about foam injection or slab lifting. Expanding structural foam is injected beneath the slab to fill the void, stabilise the ground and potentially lift the concrete back towards its original level. This is generally less disruptive and may be more economical than removing and replacing the entire section.
Alternatively, you could cut out the concrete, restore the substrate and then pour new concrete flush with the surrounding, ensuring it has adequate fall away from the foundation of your home.
If neither of these options suit, there are levelling compounds such as https://www.bunnings.com.au/lanko-20kg-173-floor-leveller_p0966696?store=7384&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz67BherGlQMVgNYWBR2E5wLHEAQYAyABEgKRr_D_BwE , which can be used outdoors, however they must have a floor covering, such as tiles or pavers, applied over the top of them as they cannot be used as a finished floor surface. This would obviously add to the cost and the amount of work needed for the job.
My suggestion would be to have a plumber inspect the pipe for issues, repair any damage that they find, and then get some quotes for both slab lifting and replacement. You can then get an idea of the cost and weigh up your options.
Allow me to tag our helpful members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @R4addZ to see what they think.
Jacob
Good Morning @mills28
Im not sure if its dropped, Do you remember it being level before?
It kind of looks like someone has dipped the concrete when they installed it to line up with the grill drain but never followed through with re-leveling the grill drain so the water runs away. When you tap on the slabs either side do they sound hollow at all?
Looking at the house side the concrete seems too smooth to be a rough foundation edge, This is why I am thinking that the path was purposefully installed with a dip (being below the tap as well)
To be sure you could get a plumber with a pipe camera and put it down the storm water pipe via that grill you can see (looking for cracks near or just under your slab) and see if there are cracks in the pvc. As a Note it may not be storm water considering the age of the bricks you have, it could be a sewage pipe. You can also buy reasonably cheaply online cameras on cable tho Im not sure how good they are.
Dave
Hi @mills28
I'm with @Dave-1 on this. If this was subsidance, there would be cracking at either end of the dip and there would be other movenent as a block of anything is longer diagonally than it is from side to side
Whats the best way to remove standing water in the dip could holes be drilled in the side drainage ar its flat there or grind it out.?
@Dave-1 and @R4addZ have made good points that I did not really consider. Upon review, it does seem intentional, which makes me think the height of the drain is the only thing that would need changing.
It seems like the simplest solution would be to have a plumber attend to lower the height of the drainage grate. As it is at the bottom of the gully and you've mentioned water drains towards the house, it seems like the intention was for it to be the drainage point.
Your plumber would just need to cut the pipe, potentially grind out some clearance around it, then reinstall the grate.
Seems like an option that is worth exploring to me.
The top of the drain grate comes off but i think that is a p trap drain
Afternoon @mills28
If it is connected to the sewage then it really should not have an access point there. A plumber will be able to settle it. I suspect it could be and they owner/concreter just used a grill top to capture debris, stop tennis balls from entering the system.
If it is sewage then the plumber can recommend the next step. Otherwise as @JacobZ has described what the plumber would probably do.
@mills28
Its probably a P trap because it is connected the sewer system, as it is a drain for the tap. You need to be guided by your plumber on this as storm water isn't supposed to go into the sewer system. If they can do this, might I suggest fitting a square drain as it will be easier to neatly cut the concrete to fit it in flush.
Yep, a p-trap will mean it is sewer, which likely means it is an overflow relief gully.
Either way, a plumber would be the best person to speak with to positively determine what the drain is and recommend a solution for the standing water.
