Step, stoop and patio leveling
Bring tipped steps back up to the door, and turn a patio that funnels water toward the basement back the right way.
Front steps and stoops are heavy blocks of concrete set on backfill right against the foundation. As that fill settles, the steps tip away from the house or sink below the threshold. Back patios do the same, and when they lean toward the house they steer rain and snowmelt straight at the basement wall. On flat valley lots where water already drains slowly, that matters.
Signs it's time
- A gap growing between the stoop and the house
- The top step sitting lower than the door
- Steps that rock or feel uneven underfoot
- Water standing against the foundation after a rain or melt
- A patio that has cracked into tilted pieces
Can steps be lifted?
Often. Foam is frequently used on steps because the holes are small and the material adds little weight. Steps that are cracked through, crumbling, or hollow with old wood forms rotting inside may need to be rebuilt instead.
Why it matters for your basement
A stoop or patio sloping toward the house works like a funnel. Getting it back to a slight slope away from the foundation and sealing the joint against the wall is one of the simpler ways to keep water out of the basement.
What to ask the contractor
- Will you lift the steps, or do they need rebuilding?
- How will you check for drain tile, gas lines and wiring before drilling?
- Will you seal the joint against the house when you're done?
We don't quote prices. The contractor sets the price after measuring the slab, finding the void and working out why it dropped, so treat any figure you hear before a site visit as a rough guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
My stoop moved away from the house. Can it be pushed back?
Leveling raises a stoop; it doesn't slide it toward the wall. Once it's level, the gap can be sealed. A large gap may call for a different repair.
Is it safe to drill next to my foundation?
Foam and slurry are both used beside foundations. The contractor should check for utilities, drain tile and sump lines before drilling.
Related services
- Mudjacking and foam leveling
- Sidewalk repair and city repair lists
- Driveway and garage apron repair
- Joint sealing and crack repair
More background: Grand Forks concrete repair guide.
Slab dropped after the thaw, or a sidewalk on the city's repair list?
Call and a local mudjacking contractor will come look at it and quote the repair.