A slab of my front porch has dropped 4" on one end.?

Question

Critters have dug out underneath my wrap around front porch, and it is all starting to buckle and crack. But one slab in particular has dropped considerably on one end and has made walking on my porch hazardous.

Any ideas on fixing it without calling in the big dogs?

Unfortunately the porch has railing and supports for the porch roof, so digging out, or moving / lifting the entire slab is out of the question.

Answer 1

Pretty tough job to make it right. Call a mud-jacker first, you might be pleasantly surprised how cheap they are, and it comes with a guaranty.

Answer 2

This sounds like you are talking about a concrete slab.
First you need to take care of the critters or it will be useless making repairs. If these are your dogs doing this.....you need to keep them away from this area. Try planting plants with thorns and hot peppers. If its other critters..you need to put out traps and end their digging.

I hate to say this...but since you do not want to do the necessary work to fix it (what you said in your additional info)you have few options.
1. Break up the concrete and make your porch smaller. (the medical bills from injury or because someone sues you will be outrageous.)
2. Break up the slab...fill in cavity with broken concrete and dirt...pour a new slab.....take care of the critters...plant those deterrent plants.
3. Call in the big dogs to do the work. If this destruction continues your whole home could be compromised as it will become structurally unsound. Take care of those critters.

If its your dogs...dogs dig like that for a few reasons....trying to get out of the heat or cold....nails need trimming...chained....anxiety....all adds up to neglect

Answer 3

I had a similar problem with a sidewalk. I dug a hole underneath the problem area and then shored it up with lumber to support a jack. I Jacked it up and then used sand to return the slab back to its original position. It was still looking good when years later, I sold the house.

Answer 4

you need to prop up the side that is slopped and remove some of the cement slab with a hammer drill,and pour new cement below the frost line,then let that part sit on new cement.you prop it up by using 4 by 4 and hitting it till you get the part of porch level,use a sledge hammer.

Answer 5

box around it and fill it with concrete, then put the slab down again