A garage approach is the concrete slab, sometimes called an apron, that spans the transition between the driveway and the garage floor, and it is one of the most settlement-prone slabs on any property.
In depth
The approach sits over soil that was backfilled against the foundation during construction, and backfill is notoriously under-compacted. Add roof runoff from the garage, snowmelt dripping off parked cars, and constant vehicle loading, and you have the perfect recipe for settlement.
A sunken approach does more than bump your tires. It creates a lip at the garage floor, traps water against the foundation and garage slab, and in winter turns that trapped water into ice and freeze damage.
How Acme applies it. Garage approaches are one of our most common repairs. We lift the approach back flush with the garage floor, restore drainage pitch away from the structure, and fill the voids so water has nowhere to work underneath.
Related terms: Sunken Concrete, Grading & Drainage, Concrete Settlement, Frost Heave
Frequently asked questions
Why did my garage approach sink when the driveway did not?
The approach sits on loose construction backfill next to the foundation, while most of the driveway sits on undisturbed soil. Different soil, different settlement.
What happens if I ignore a settled garage approach?
Water pools against the garage and foundation, voids grow, and winter freeze-thaw accelerates the damage. Early lifting is far cheaper than waiting.