Have you ever walked down a sidewalk, eyes on your phone or deep in thought, only to trip unexpectedly on an uneven slab? Maybe you’ve noticed the sidewalk outside your home or business becoming progressively uneven, cracked, or sinking awkwardly. Sidewalks settle naturally over time, creating hazards that can lead to injuries and liabilities. Fortunately, tearing out and replacing your sidewalk isn’t the only—or even the best—solution.
At Acme Concrete Raising & Repair, we specialize exclusively in polyurethane concrete raising to lift, level, and stabilize sidewalks throughout the Chicago suburbs. Our exclusive Smart Lift System® is faster, cleaner, and far more cost-effective than traditional concrete replacement.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into:
The hidden dangers and costly consequences of sunken sidewalks.
Why concrete raising is superior to replacement.
What makes our Smart Lift System® the industry leader.
A clear breakdown of our concrete raising process.
Why Acme Concrete is the premier choice for concrete leveling in Chicagoland.
The Problem with Sunken Sidewalks
Sunken sidewalks might start as a minor inconvenience, but they quickly escalate into serious problems. Ignoring sidewalk settling doesn’t just create aesthetic issues; it poses genuine safety risks and significant financial implications.
Trip Hazards & Safety Liabilities
According to the Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC), any sidewalk height difference over ¼” qualifies as a tripping hazard. Even minor settling can become a significant liability, increasing the likelihood of falls, injuries, and expensive legal claims. For commercial property owners, these hazards are especially problematic. Uneven sidewalks can lead to costly violations during insurance audits or property inspections, resulting in increased premiums or canceled coverage altogether.
Water Pooling & Drainage Problems
When sidewalks sink, they disrupt proper water drainage. Pooling water on your sidewalks can:
Accelerate erosion beneath the concrete slabs.
Create slippery conditions due to algae growth.
Form hazardous ice patches during cold Chicago winters.
Additionally, poor drainage can direct water toward your building’s foundation, increasing the risk of expensive foundation repairs down the line.
Code Violations & Step Height Issues
Sunken sidewalks frequently cause steps to exceed the allowed height (typically 7.75 inches). This issue is more than an inconvenience—it becomes a code violation that can halt property sales, raise inspection red flags, and lead to safety issues for visitors, customers, or tenants.
Don’t Replace Your Sidewalk—Raise It!
While replacement might seem like the intuitive solution, the reality is that tearing out and pouring new concrete comes with substantial downsides:
High Costs
Concrete replacement is expensive. You’re paying not only for demolition and hauling but also for forming, pouring new concrete, labor, and finishing touches. On average, polyurethane concrete lifting costs about half as much as replacement—often even less.
Significant Downtime & Disruption
Replacing concrete sidewalks isn’t quick or easy. You’re looking at:
Days spent demolishing and forming.
Up to a week or more of curing time.
Extended periods with restricted access to your home or business.
By contrast, Acme’s Smart Lift System® lets your sidewalks become usable within minutes of completion, drastically reducing downtime and inconvenience.
Environmental Waste
Concrete replacement sends tons of waste to landfills annually. Polyurethane concrete raising is a green solution that significantly reduces landfill waste by restoring existing concrete slabs, preserving resources, and minimizing environmental impact.
Urgency Matters: Why Act Now?
Ignoring sidewalk problems won’t make them go away—it will only make them worse. Seasonal changes in Chicagoland, such as freezing winters and rainy springs, accelerate deterioration, quickly transforming minor issues into costly, complicated repairs. Addressing sidewalk issues early with concrete raising prevents further settlement, erosion, and structural damage, saving you time, money, and stress.
The Smart Lift System: Fast, Precise & Reliable
Acme Concrete proudly offers Chicagoland residents and businesses the exclusive Smart Lift System®—a proprietary approach we developed to outperform traditional methods and other lifting solutions.
Key Advantages of the Smart Lift System
Advanced Equipment: Our specialized air-purged injection equipment delivers precise, controlled lifts without unnecessary re-drilling.
High-Density Polyurethane Foam: We use foam materials that exceed Department of Transportation (DOT) standards for highways, ensuring long-lasting support and stability.
Rapid Results: Our experienced teams lift hundreds of linear feet of sidewalk per day. Large projects? Multiple crews can quickly handle even the biggest jobs.
Minimal Footprint: No large trucks, no messy concrete mixers. Our equipment stays neatly curbside while we work quickly and quietly.
With the Smart Lift System®, your sidewalks are leveled, stabilized, and ready for use within 15-30 minutes.
The 3-Step Concrete Raising Process
Our process is simple yet incredibly effective, designed to minimize disruption while delivering exceptional results:
Drill We strategically drill tiny, dime-sized holes into targeted areas of the sunken concrete slab.
Pump High-density polyurethane foam is injected under the slab, expanding quickly to fill voids and lift the concrete precisely to the correct elevation.
Patch After raising, we remove the injection ports and neatly patch the small holes with cement, leaving a clean, seamless finish.
Why Acme Concrete Raising & Repair Is the Premier Choice
Over 550 Five-Star Customer Reviews ★★★★★
We take pride in our stellar reputation—built from over 550 verified five-star reviews on BirdEye.com. Our customers consistently praise our professionalism, results, and outstanding service.
Exclusive Provider of the Smart Lift System®
No other contractor in the region offers our proprietary Smart Lift System®, meaning you receive unmatched quality, proven technology, and technicians who specialize exclusively in this method.
Pioneers in Polyurethane Concrete Raising
Acme Concrete was the first company in Chicagoland to focus solely on polyurethane concrete raising. This isn’t merely a side service—it’s our exclusive area of expertise, honed over years of dedicated practice.
Decades of Construction Experience
Founded by Mike and Trish Fetherling, Acme Concrete offers over 60 combined years of expertise in construction and customer service. We approach each job with integrity, transparency, and genuine care. No gimmicks, no upsells—just dependable results.
Watch our latest video, “We Raise, Level, and Stabilize Sidewalks,” on YouTube to see exactly how quickly and effectively our process works. Witness firsthand how we turn hazardous, uneven sidewalks into safe, attractive surfaces in minutes.
A Smarter, Safer, and More Affordable Solution
With Acme Concrete Raising & Repair, addressing sidewalk problems is affordable, straightforward, and convenient. Our services include:
Cost-effective concrete sidewalk lifting
Quick sidewalk leveling and restoration
Long-lasting stability solutions
Eco-friendly repairs that minimize waste
Our goal is to eliminate trip hazards, drainage issues, and liability concerns within hours—not days or weeks.
Ready to Fix That Dangerous Sidewalk?
Don’t wait until an accident occurs or an inspector flags your property. The longer you delay, the more extensive (and costly) repairs become. Schedule your free estimate with Acme Concrete Raising & Repair today and reclaim the safety and appeal of your sidewalks.
Call (815) 264-2200 or visit AcmeConcreteInc.com to learn more.
Let’s raise your sidewalks right—the smart way.
