★★★★★
"Our garage slab had dropped almost an inch in one corner. They polyurethane-lifted it in a single afternoon -saved us probably $7,000 vs. tearing it out. Two years later it's still level."Jennifer R.Beavercreek · Slab leveling
Concrete Repair
Concrete Repair in Dayton, Ohio
Cracked, spalled, or sinking concrete? We diagnose the root cause and fix it right. Crack repair, spall patching, slab-jacking, resurfacing, and joint sealing -all built to handle Dayton's clay soils and roughly 60 freeze-thaw cycles per year. Honest repair-vs-replace advice on every call.
- Honest repair vs. replace guidance
- Slab-jacking saves 60-80% vs. replacement
- Warranted repairs, materials & labor
- Free on-site estimate, 2-hour callback
What We Repair
Concrete repair services in Dayton
Dayton's combination of heavy clay soils, roughly 60 freeze-thaw cycles per year, and widespread use of rock-salt de-icers creates four main categories of concrete failure. Here's what we see most often and how we fix each one.
Crack repair
Not all cracks are created equal. Hairline shrinkage cracks (under 1/16 inch) are normal and cosmetic -every slab gets them. Cracks wider than 1/8 inch, cracks with vertical displacement, or cracks that are actively growing indicate a structural problem that needs professional repair.
For non-structural cracks, we clean out the crack, apply a flexible polyurethane sealant that moves with the concrete, and tool it flush with the surface. For structural cracks, we use pressure-injected epoxy that bonds the two sides together at full concrete strength. On active cracks (ones that are still moving due to soil settlement), we use flexible polyurethane injection that accommodates up to 1/4 inch of future movement without re-cracking.
Cost: $3-$8 per linear foot for crack sealing; $8-$15 per linear foot for epoxy injection.
Spall patching
Spalling -the flaking, pitting, and delamination of the concrete surface -is the most common repair we do in the Dayton area. It's almost always caused by the combination of freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salt. Water penetrates the surface, freezes and expands, and pops off layers of concrete. Salt accelerates this process by 3-5 times.
We repair spalled surfaces by grinding or chipping away all loose and delaminated material until we reach sound concrete, applying a bonding agent, and then troweling on a polymer-modified repair mortar that bonds mechanically and chemically to the existing slab. For surfaces with widespread spalling (more than 30% of the area), a full overlay is more cost-effective than spot-patching.
Cost: $8-$15 per square foot for spot repairs; $6-$12 per square foot for full overlay.
Slab-jacking (polyurethane foam leveling)
When a concrete slab sinks, settles, or tilts, the problem is almost always in the soil underneath -not in the concrete itself. Dayton's clay soils consolidate under load, wash out where drainage is poor, and shrink during dry summers. The result is voids under the slab that allow it to drop.
We drill small holes (5/8 inch diameter) through the slab, inject high-density polyurethane foam that expands to fill the void and lifts the slab back to level within plus or minus 1/8 inch. The foam cures in 15 minutes, and you can drive on it the same day. Slab-jacking costs 60-80% less than tearing out and replacing the slab, and it's far less disruptive -no demo noise, no dumpsters, no 7-day cure wait.
Cost: $5-$15 per square foot, depending on the amount of lift required. Typical garage slab or porch lift: $1,200-$3,500.
Resurfacing
When the structure of the slab is sound but the surface is ugly -widespread spalling, discoloration, old patches, or just age -resurfacing is the most cost-effective option. We apply a polymer-modified overlay (typically 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick) that bonds to the existing concrete and creates a brand-new surface. The overlay can be broom-finished for a standard look, or stamped and colored for a decorative finish.
Resurfacing is not appropriate when the slab is structurally compromised (major cracks, significant settlement). In those cases, we'll be honest and recommend partial or full replacement instead.
Cost: $6-$12 per square foot for standard overlay; $12-$18 per square foot for decorative stamped overlay.
Repair vs. Replace
When to repair concrete vs. when to replace it
We'll always give you an honest recommendation. Here's the framework we use to evaluate every repair call in the Dayton area:
| Condition | Recommendation | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hairline cracks (under 1/8”), no displacement | Seal cracks, monitor | $150-$600 |
| Surface spalling on < 30% of slab | Spot-patch, seal surface | $500-$2,000 |
| Surface spalling on > 30% of slab | Full resurfacing overlay | $1,500-$5,000 |
| Slab settled < 2”, concrete intact | Slab-jacking (foam lift) | $1,200-$3,500 |
| Structural cracks > 1/4” with displacement | Partial or full replacement | $2,500-$8,000+ |
| Multiple failures, slab > 25 years old | Full tear-out and replace | $4,000-$12,000+ |
Why concrete fails in Dayton
Understanding why your concrete failed helps us recommend the right fix and prevent it from happening again. In 15 years of repair work across Montgomery County, we've found that about 80% of failures trace back to one of four root causes:
- Base failure (40% of cases): Dayton's Brookston and Miami clay soils expand, contract, and consolidate. When the base under a slab wasn't properly compacted or isn't thick enough to buffer the clay movement, the slab cracks and settles.
- Freeze-thaw damage (25% of cases): With roughly 60 freeze-thaw cycles per year, any concrete that wasn't air-entrained (5-7% air content) is going to spall. Many older slabs in the Dayton area were poured without air entrainment, and they're failing now.
- De-icer damage (20% of cases): Rock salt and calcium chloride de-icers accelerate freeze-thaw spalling by 3-5 times. We see this most on driveways and front walks where salt is applied heavily every winter.
- Poor drainage (15% of cases): Water that pools on or under concrete causes problems year-round. Standing water softens the clay subgrade, accelerates freeze-thaw surface damage, and promotes efflorescence and staining.
Our Process
How we approach concrete repair in Dayton
1
On-site diagnosis
We don't quote over the phone. Every repair starts with an on-site visit where we examine the damage, identify the root cause (base failure, freeze-thaw, drainage, or age), check for related problems you might not have noticed, and determine whether repair or replacement is the right call. This visit is free, and we'll explain exactly what we find and why we're recommending what we recommend.
2
Written estimate with options
You get a written, itemized quote that includes a description of the problem, the repair method, materials, timeline, and warranty. When both repair and replacement are viable, we quote both so you can make an informed decision. We never pressure you toward the more expensive option.
3
Repair execution
Most concrete repairs in the Dayton area are completed in one day. Crack sealing and spall patching are typically same-day. Slab-jacking takes 2-4 hours. Resurfacing takes 1-2 days depending on area and finish. We work clean, protect adjacent surfaces, and leave the site better than we found it.
4
Address the root cause
A repair that doesn't fix the underlying problem will fail again. If the root cause is drainage, we recommend and can install solutions (regrading, French drains, downspout extensions). If it's de-icer damage, we seal the surface and provide guidance on safer winter products. If it's base failure, we stabilize with foam injection before patching the surface.
5
Warranty & follow-up
Every repair comes with a written warranty. We follow up after 30 days to check the repair and after one winter to make sure it handled Ohio's freeze-thaw season. If a warranted repair fails, we come back and fix it at no charge.
Pricing
Concrete repair pricing in the Dayton area
Here's what common repair projects cost in Montgomery County. All prices include materials, labor, and cleanup.
| Repair Type | Unit Cost | Typical Project |
|---|---|---|
| Crack sealing (polyurethane) | $3-$8/linear ft | $150-$800 |
| Crack injection (structural epoxy) | $8-$15/linear ft | $400-$1,500 |
| Spall patching (polymer mortar) | $8-$15/sqft | $500-$2,000 |
| Slab-jacking (polyurethane foam) | $5-$15/sqft | $1,200-$3,500 |
| Resurfacing overlay (standard) | $6-$12/sqft | $1,500-$5,000 |
| Resurfacing overlay (decorative) | $12-$18/sqft | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Joint sealing / re-caulking | $2-$5/linear ft | $200-$600 |
Minimum service call for any repair is $250. For projects where repair cost exceeds 50% of replacement cost, we recommend replacement and will credit the estimate fee toward the new pour.
Repair Reviews
What Dayton homeowners say about our repair work
★★★★★
"Half our driveway was spalling badly from salt damage. Another contractor wanted to rip the whole thing out. These guys resurfaced just the damaged half with an overlay that matches perfectly. Saved us thousands and it looks brand new."Mark D.Fairborn · Driveway resurfacing
★★★★★
"Had a major crack running across our patio with one side about half an inch higher than the other. They diagnosed a drainage problem we didn't even know about, fixed the drain, leveled the slab, and sealed the crack. Problem solved. Should have called them two years ago."Patricia G.Kettering · Patio crack repair & leveling
FAQ
Concrete repair questions
Should I repair or replace my concrete?
Repair is usually the right call when the damage is cosmetic or localized: hairline cracks, surface spalling on less than 30% of the slab, or a slab that has settled less than 1 inch. Replacement is better when you see structural cracks wider than 1/4 inch with vertical displacement, widespread spalling across most of the surface, a slab that has settled more than 2 inches, or multiple intersecting cracks that divide the slab into small pieces. We evaluate every job honestly and recommend the most cost-effective solution -even if that means a smaller invoice for us.
How much does concrete repair cost in Dayton?
Concrete repair costs in the Dayton area vary by repair type. Crack sealing runs $3-$8 per linear foot. Spall patching costs $8-$15 per square foot. Slab-jacking (polyurethane foam leveling) costs $5-$15 per square foot, typically 60-80% less than full replacement. Full resurfacing with a polymer-modified overlay runs $6-$12 per square foot. Most residential repair jobs fall between $500 and $3,000.
How long does a concrete repair last?
A properly done concrete repair in the Dayton area lasts 8-15 years depending on the repair type and conditions. Polyurethane crack filling lasts 8-10 years. Epoxy crack injection on structural cracks lasts 10-15 years. Polymer-modified overlays last 10-15 years. Polyurethane slab-jacking is essentially permanent unless the underlying soil problem recurs. All timelines assume proper drainage and reasonable de-icer use.
Do you warranty concrete repairs?
Yes. We provide a written warranty on all concrete repair work. Crack sealing and spall patching carry a 2-year warranty against re-failure of the specific repair. Slab-jacking carries a 5-year warranty against re-settling. Resurfacing carries a 3-year warranty against delamination and peeling. These warranties cover materials and labor. They do not cover damage from subsequent impacts, improper de-icer use, or new settlement caused by unrelated soil changes.
Can I repair concrete myself, or should I hire a pro?
Small cosmetic cracks (hairline to 1/8 inch) can be filled with a quality polyurethane caulk from a hardware store. Anything beyond that should be done professionally. Structural cracks need epoxy injection under pressure. Spall repairs need proper surface prep and polymer-modified materials to bond. Slab-jacking requires specialized equipment. DIY concrete patching products from big-box stores typically fail within 1-2 winters in Ohio because they lack the bond strength and flexibility to handle freeze-thaw movement.
Related Services
Other concrete services in Dayton
Concrete Driveways
4 to 6-inch reinforced driveways engineered for Ohio freeze-thaw and heavy clay soils.
Learn more →Concrete Patios
Broom-finish, exposed-aggregate, or stamped patios sized to your backyard and budget.
Learn more →Concrete Removal
Sawcut, demo, haul-off, and base prep. Quoted alone or bundled with a new pour.
Learn more →Foundations
Footings, stem walls, and slab-on-grade for new builds and additions across Montgomery County.
Learn more →Concrete damage? Let's fix it right.
Free on-site diagnosis. Honest repair-vs-replace advice. 2-hour callback. No pressure, just a written quote.
Get Free Repair Quoteor call (937) 555-0147