Level or Replace a Sunken Concrete Slab in Tampa?

Whether to level or replace a sunken concrete slab in Tampa comes down to two things: the condition of the concrete and the reason it sank. Lifting works on sound slabs over ground that has stopped moving. Broken slabs, or ground that's still settling, point to a new pour once the cause is fixed.

Sound slab: lift

Broken slab: replace

Find the cause first

Sinkhole Alley caution

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Last reviewed October 2026. Tampa Concrete Slabs pours new concrete only and does not offer lifting.

What leveling a sunken slab means

Slabjacking, also called mudjacking or pressure grouting, pumps material under a sunken slab to push it back up. The classic mix is topsoil and Portland cement; some use a limestone grout; polyurethane foam lifting injects a two-part foam through small holes that expands and cures within about half an hour.

Level or replace: a side-by-side

Choosing between lifting and a new pour

Your slab	Lean toward	Why
One piece, sunk evenly, few cracks	Lifting	Slabjacking needs concrete in reasonably sound condition
Cracked into several pieces	Replacement	Excessive cracking can call for replacement, and lifting can add cracks
Sunk over loose or washed-out fill	Fix the base, then either	Resettlement is possible on poorly compacted soil
Still sinking, or depressions nearby	Engineer first	In Sinkhole Alley, the cause decides the fix
Wrong size or slope to begin with	Replacement	Lifting can't add area or change the design

Swipe the table sideways to see every column →

Cracked, sunken patch where a sinkhole reopened in a parking lot, fenced off with barriers — A patched sinkhole that dropped again under a parking lot.

Why the cause matters more in Tampa

Hillsborough is one of the three Sinkhole Alley counties, with Pasco and Hernando, and a slab that keeps dropping or comes with a depression nearby deserves a geotechnical look before money goes into lifting or a new pour. The sinkhole and slab foundation guide explains what the state's database does and doesn't tell you.

Is the slab one piece, or several?
Did it sink once and stop, or is it still moving?
Is water from a downspout or a leak washing out the base?
Are there new depressions, widening cracks or leaning posts nearby?
Would a new slab let you fix size, slope or thickness while you're at it?

What replacement costs in Tampa

Replacement has two lines: removal and the new slab. HomeBlue's Tampa page puts concrete demolition at $1.10 to $1.80 per square foot, and the new slab runs $5.55 to $11.09 per square foot at projectcosted's 2026 Tampa rate. Lifting companies price their own work; ask one for a quote to compare.

Replacing a sunken slab in Tampa (computed)

Slab	Area	Tear-out	New slab	Total range
Back patio, 12x16	192 sq ft	$211 to $346	$1,066 to $2,129	$1,277 to $2,475
Driveway section, 10x20	200 sq ft	$220 to $360	$1,110 to $2,218	$1,330 to $2,578
Patio, 20x20	400 sq ft	$440 to $720	$2,219 to $4,438	$2,659 to $5,158

Swipe the table sideways to see every column →

Tear-out from HomeBlue Tampa (Sep 2024); new slab from projectcosted Tampa (Aug 2026). Base repair is extra.

New slab section to compare when deciding to level or replace a sunken concrete slab in Tampa — Our own diagram from the Florida Building Code, Residential (R403, R506). Not to scale and not a design for any property.

Making a replacement last

If the old slab sank because its base washed out or was never compacted, a new slab on the same base sinks too. The fix is in the ground: dig out soft material, rebuild with compacted base, redirect the water, then pour. The cost to pour a concrete slab in Tampa page covers the new slab line by line.

New pours we handle: concrete patios, driveway extensions, slab foundations and AC condenser pads.

Level or Replace a Sunken Concrete Slab in Tampa: FAQ

What is mudjacking or slabjacking?

Pumping a material under a sunken slab to push it back up. Mudjacking grout is soil mixed with Portland cement; some contractors use limestone grout; polyurethane foam lifting injects a two-part foam through small holes that expands and cures.

When is a slab too far gone to level?

When it's broken into pieces or badly cracked. Slabjacking needs concrete in reasonably sound condition, can open new cracks during the lift, and a slab can settle again if the soil underneath is poorly compacted.

Is it cheaper to replace a concrete slab or level it?

Slabjacking is generally described as a cost-effective alternative to replacing concrete. Replacement in Tampa means breaking out the old slab ($1.10 to $1.80 per square foot on HomeBlue's Tampa page) plus a new slab at $5.55 to $11.09 per square foot (projectcosted, 2026). Get a lifting quote from a lifting company to compare.

Does Tampa Concrete Slabs do mudjacking or foam leveling?

No. Tampa Concrete Slabs pours new concrete. Lifting is a separate trade with its own equipment; this guide is here to help you decide which one your slab needs.

My slab sank and I'm in Sinkhole Alley. What first?

Find out why it sank before deciding how to fix it. In Hillsborough, Pasco or Hernando County, settlement that keeps growing or comes with nearby depressions is a reason to call a geotechnical engineer before anyone lifts or replaces the slab.