Restore Your Patio and Porch to Like-New Condition

The Problem With Sinking Patios and Porches

Sinking patios and porches are among the most common and most visible concrete problems in Colorado Springs. Your front porch is the first impression your home makes on visitors, and a sinking stoop with a gap between the steps and the house foundation immediately signals neglect — even if you maintain every other part of your property meticulously.

But the problems go far beyond aesthetics. When a patio or porch settles away from your home, it creates a gap at the foundation that allows water to flow directly against the structure. In Colorado Springs, where afternoon thunderstorms can dump an inch of rain in an hour, this gap can funnel significant amounts of water toward your basement or crawl space. Foundation moisture damage, mold growth, and structural erosion are all potential consequences of a sinking porch that goes unrepaired.

Tilted patios present a different but equally serious issue. When a backyard patio settles toward the house instead of sloping away, it reverses the drainage grade that was established when the concrete was originally poured. Water that should be flowing away from your foundation is instead pooling against it. Even small amounts of persistent moisture against a foundation can cause problems over time.

Why Patios and Porches Sink in Colorado Springs

The Pikes Peak region’s geology makes concrete settlement particularly common. The expansive clay soils that underlie much of Colorado Springs absorb moisture and swell, then shrink as they dry out. This repeated expansion and contraction cycle loosens the soil structure and creates voids beneath concrete slabs.

Front porches and stoops are especially vulnerable because they sit at the junction of the house and the surrounding grade. Roof runoff, if not properly managed by gutters and downspouts, pours directly onto the soil next to the porch. Over time, this concentrated water flow washes away the fill material that was placed during construction to support the porch slab.

Backyard patios face similar challenges from irrigation overspray, poor drainage, and the natural settlement of fill soil. In many Colorado Springs homes, the backfill placed around the foundation during construction was not adequately compacted, leading to gradual settling in the years after the home was built. This is why sinking patios often appear 5 to 10 years after a home is completed.

Freeze-Thaw Acceleration

Colorado Springs experiences an average of 150 freeze-thaw cycles per year — one of the highest rates in the country. Each cycle causes water in the soil to freeze and expand, then thaw and contract. This constant movement progressively loosens the soil structure beneath your patio or porch, accelerating the settlement process. A slab that was level three years ago can easily drop an inch or more over a few winters.

How We Restore Patios and Porches

Our patio and porch leveling process uses the same proven limestone slurry technology that we use for all concrete leveling work, but with additional care for the unique challenges these structures present.

Working Near Your Foundation

Leveling a porch or patio near your home’s foundation requires precision. We use low-pressure injection at approximately 5 PSI to ensure the slab lifts evenly without placing undue stress on the foundation wall. Our experienced crew monitors the gap between the slab and the foundation throughout the lifting process, ensuring it closes uniformly.

Once the slab is back to its original position, we caulk the joint between the concrete and the foundation with a flexible sealant that accommodates thermal expansion while keeping water out. This sealed joint is actually more waterproof than the original construction joint, providing better protection than when the porch was new.

Lifting Steps and Stoops

Front steps and stoops require a particularly careful approach. These smaller structures have less surface area than a full driveway or patio slab, which means the injection points must be precisely placed to ensure even lifting. Too much pressure in one spot can crack the concrete or cause uneven lifting. Our low-pressure limestone method provides the controlled, gradual lift needed for these delicate structures.

We have leveled hundreds of front porches across Colorado Springs, from the historic homes in Old North End to the newer construction in Cordera and Wolf Ranch. Each home presents its own unique challenges, and our two decades of experience give us the knowledge to handle them all.

The Curb Appeal Factor

Real estate professionals consistently rank the front entrance as one of the most important factors in a home’s curb appeal. A level, well-maintained porch and walkway signal that the home is cared for and give potential buyers confidence in the overall condition of the property. Conversely, a sinking porch with visible gaps and cracks suggests deferred maintenance and can significantly impact perceived home value.

If you are planning to sell your home, patio and porch leveling is one of the highest-return improvements you can make. The cost of leveling is modest — typically 50 to 70 percent less than replacement — but the visual impact is dramatic. A porch that was previously sinking an inch or more below the foundation looks completely restored after leveling, with only small patched holes as evidence of the repair.

Long-Term Protection After Leveling

Once your patio or porch is leveled, taking a few additional steps will help ensure the repair lasts for years. We recommend caulking all joints between the slab and the foundation, as well as any control joints within the slab itself. This prevents water from seeping beneath the concrete and eroding the soil that now supports it.

Managing roof runoff is also critical. Make sure your gutters and downspouts direct water at least 4 feet away from the foundation. If downspouts currently discharge near the porch, consider adding extensions to move the water further from the house. This single step can dramatically reduce the chance of future settlement.

Get Your Free Patio and Porch Assessment

Whether your front porch has developed a gap at the threshold, your back patio is tilting toward the house, or your front steps have sunk below the landing, Colorado Springs Leveling has the experience and the right tools to fix it. Contact us today for a free on-site assessment. We will measure the settlement, explain your options, and provide a clear estimate — all with no obligation. With over 20,000 jobs completed, a 2-year warranty, and same-day service for most projects, restoring your patio or porch has never been easier.