In Lakeland, Florida, a family began noticing something unsettling about their home. Over time, their interior floors were sinking unevenly, creating noticeable dips across multiple rooms. Built on a wooden frame sitting atop a slab, the house was showing classic signs of foundation distress:

• Floors sloping or dipping
• Gaps forming between floorboards and baseboards
• Doors sticking and becoming difficult to close
• A general feeling that “something was off” underfoot

Like many homeowners in Polk County, they weren’t sure what was causing the issue or how serious it might be. Concerned about long-term damage to both safety and property value, they reached out to Helicon, Central Florida’s leader in foundation repair, soil stabilization, and concrete lifting.

Restoring this Lakeland home required overcoming two major challenges.

1. Bringing Floors Back Toward Level

Settlement problems rarely affect an entire slab evenly. Some areas sink more than others, creating uneven surfaces that can be both a safety hazard and a source of ongoing structural stress.

The challenge was to recover as much levelness as possible while ensuring the entire slab was stabilized moving forward. Full re-leveling is not always possible in older homes, but long-term stabilization is essential to stop problems from getting worse.

2. Central Florida’s Soil Conditions

Polk County soils are notoriously variable. Sandy layers, fluctuating moisture levels, and even sinkhole activity can undermine slabs and cause uneven settlement. Unlike clay-heavy soils found in other states, Florida’s sandy base can shift or wash away quickly, creating dangerous voids beneath homes.

The Helicon team needed a solution that would:

• Permanently stabilize the soil beneath the slab
• Fill existing voids without adding excessive weight
• Prevent future erosion and settlement in the same areas

Helicon designed a three-step repair plan using advanced technology and materials tailored to Florida’s soil conditions.

Step 1: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Soil Analysis

Before making any injections, Helicon used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to scan beneath the home’s slab. This non-invasive technology revealed:

• The soil composition directly beneath the slab
• Hidden voids or weak areas causing the settlement
• Specific injection points needed for the most effective stabilization

This step ensured precision and minimized unnecessary disruption.

Step 2: Polyurethane Injection for Stabilization & Lifting

With the soil analysis complete, the team injected 355 pounds of Helicon’s two-part polyurethane grout beneath the slab. This grout expands once injected, creating several benefits at once:

• Fills hidden voids caused by erosion or washout
• Compacts loose soils into a dense, load-bearing foundation
• Bonds with existing soils and slab for a permanent fix
• Waterproofs the sub-base, protecting against Florida’s high water table and heavy rainfall

Compared to older methods like “mudjacking,” polyurethane is lighter, stronger, and far less invasive. It does not add additional weight that could cause future settlement and cures quickly, often within minutes, allowing homeowners to resume normal use of their home almost immediately.

Step 3: Slab Protection System

To protect the repairs long-term, Helicon installed a 384 sq. ft. slab protection system (54 pounds applied). This system acts like a shield around the slab, reducing risks of future erosion and strengthening the perimeter where water infiltration and soil loss are most common.

The Result

The results provided the homeowners with both immediate relief and long-term confidence:

• Stabilized Floors – The slab is no longer sinking, halting the progression of damage.
• Improved Levelness – While not every floor section could be fully restored, noticeable improvements were made in problem areas.
• Permanent Protection – The polyurethane and slab protection system ensure the home is safeguarded against future soil movement.
• Peace of Mind – The homeowners now know their investment is protected, and the risk of worsening settlement has been eliminated.

Why Polk County Homes Face Settlement Problems

Polk County, located in Central Florida, has a unique combination of sandy soils, fluctuating water levels, and limestone bedrock. These conditions contribute to three common foundation issues:

1. Soil Erosion & Washout – Heavy rains can wash sandy soils away, leaving voids beneath slabs.
2. Sinkhole Activity – Polk County is part of “Sinkhole Alley,” where limestone erosion can cause sudden ground collapse.
3. Moisture Variability – Florida’s alternating dry and wet seasons expand and contract soils, leading to instability.

These factors explain why Lakeland and surrounding communities frequently require soil stabilization and foundation repair.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if my floors are settling?

Signs include sloping floors, cracks in walls or tile, doors that stick, or gaps forming between trim and flooring.

Why does concrete sink in Florida?

Florida’s sandy soils and high water table often wash away or compact over time, leaving voids under slabs that cause sinking.

Is polyurethane better than replacing the slab?

Yes. Polyurethane injection is faster, less disruptive, and more cost-effective. Slab replacement doesn’t address the soil issues that caused the problem in the first place, meaning new concrete may eventually settle again.

Will this repair last?

Helicon’s polyurethane injections are designed as a permanent solution. The material is waterproof, resistant to breakdown, and bonds directly with soil and concrete.

Why Helicon?

For over 18 years, Helicon has been Central Florida’s go-to name in foundation repair, concrete lifting, soil stabilization, and sinkhole remediation.

Homeowners choose Helicon because we provide:

• Cutting-edge technology like GPR scanning for accurate diagnosis
• Permanent solutions tailored to Florida’s soils
• Minimally invasive installation, often completed in just days
• Local expertise — thousands of projects completed in Lakeland, Polk County, and beyond

Protect Your Home Before It Gets Worse

Settlement problems only grow more costly over time. If you notice signs like sloping floors, wall cracks, or uneven concrete, don’t wait until repairs become a major expense.

👉 Learn more about our concrete lifting services
👉 See more soil stabilization case studies
👉 Schedule your free site evaluation

Helicon proudly serves Lakeland, Polk County, and all of Central Florida with foundation solutions designed to last a lifetime.