< Causes of Concrete Damage

Tree Roots Lifting Concrete

Tree roots can lift concrete when they spread beneath your driveway, sidewalk, or patio in search of water. It’s a common issue in Florida’s heat and sandy soils. Understanding the causes can help you prevent uneven or cracked concrete before it worsens.

Large tree roots lifting a cracked concrete slab and creating uneven pavement that needs concrete repair in Jacksonville, FL.

How Do Tree Roots Lift Concrete in Florida

Tree roots don’t try to damage concrete on purpose.—they go around it. As they grow, they look for the easiest path to water. In Florida’s loose, sandy soil, that path is usually right under your driveway or walkway. Once the roots settle there, they thicken over time and slowly start pushing the concrete upward.

 

Most Florida trees — especially oaks, palms, pines, and ficus — have shallow, fast-spreading root systems.  Long dry periods cause the roots to spread farther, and when heavy rain hits, they swell and exert even more pressure.

 

If you notice uneven surfaces or raised concrete edges and are unsure what’s causing the movement under your slab, LUX can assess the situation and help you determine the cause of the movement.

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Signs Tree Roots Are Lifting and Damaging Your Concrete

Florida’s climate promotes rapid root growth, causing slab movement to appear sooner and more aggressively than in cooler regions. Here’s what to look for when roots begin to shift the concrete.

Raised concrete slab with a visible crack and uneven surface, a sign of tree roots lifting concrete in St Augustine, FL.

Raised or Tilted Slab Sections

If your driveway, patio, walkway, or porch suddenly sits higher on one side, roots are likely pushing upward from beneath the slab. Florida’s warm soil allows roots to grow quickly, creating uneven surfaces that become trip hazards and worsen with each season of growth.

Close-up of a deep, widened crack of concrete walkways, a sign of tree roots lifting concrete in Palm Coast, FL.

Deep Cracks

Cracks that split apart or follow a broken line often point to root pressure beneath the slab. You might see a cracked sidewalk or walkway where the concrete has separated along the break. Large Florida tree roots grow fast enough to force these cracks wider over time.

A concrete slabs pushed one section upward, a sign of tree roots lifting concrete in Ocala, FL.

Gaps Appearing Between Slab Joints

If sections of concrete begin drifting apart, roots may be expanding sideways and shifting the slabs. This often appears as cracked sidewalks where panels begin to separate or lean away from each other. As roots spread, the gaps widen, and the walkway becomes uneven and harder to walk safely.

Rainwater pooling on an uneven concrete walkway, a sign of tree roots lifting concrete in Gainesville, FL.

Water Pooling Where Slabs Used to Be Level

When part of a slab lifts, it changes the slope and creates low spots where water collects after storms. These puddles often form in cracks in pool decks, sidewalks, or driveways. Pooling is a clear sign that roots have raised a section of the concrete.

These signs indicate that root pressure is increasing and that the slab is shifting. LUX can assess the area to determine the exact cause and recommend long-term, Florida-ready repairs before the damage spreads.

Proven Solutions to Fix Concrete Lifted by Tree Roots in Florida

Stopping root-related concrete damage requires stabilizing the slab, correcting moisture issues, and restoring even surfaces. Here are the Florida-ready solutions LUX provides to repair raised or cracked concrete:

Installed French drain system redirecting water away from concrete and trees, a tree root lifting concrete repair in St Johns, FL.

Drainage Improvements

Improving drainage prevents water from pooling near trees and concrete surfaces—one of the main triggers for rapid root expansion. LUX installs downspout extensions, channel drains, and yard drainage upgrades that redirect runoff away from slabs. This helps protect concrete and reduce future lifting from root growth.

Technician lifting a sunken concrete slab using foam injection, a tree root lifting concrete repair in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Concrete Lifting

LUX injects high-density polyurethane foam to lift and relevel a concrete slab that tree roots have tilted. Using precise lifting methods, we realign the slab safely without removing trees. This eliminates trip hazards and restores driveways, patios, and walkways to usable surfaces.

Technician sealing cracks in a concrete slab to block water intrusion, a tree root lifting concrete repair in Middleburg, FL.

Concrete Caulking

Caulking prevents rainwater from seeping into cracks or joints created by root movement. LUX applies durable, weatherproof sealants to seal cracks, preventing moisture intrusion, reducing further slab shifting, and protecting surrounding soil. This helps prevent additional lifting, cracking, and erosion around your concrete surfaces.

Regraded yard redirecting water away from concrete and tree root zones, a tree root lifting concrete repair in Palatka, FL

Regrading the Soil Around Concrete

Regrading reshapes the ground so that water flows away from concrete and tree-root zones. This reduces excess moisture that fuels aggressive root growth beneath slabs. LUX adjusts slopes and soil levels to keep concrete stable and discourage root pressure from lifting or shifting surfaces.

Each solution addresses a different aspect of the root problem while keeping your tree intact. LUX will identify the cause and create a Florida-ready plan that restores slab stability and protects your concrete long-term

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Protect Your Concrete From Tree Root Damage — Get a Free Evaluation

Tree roots won’t stop growing, and slab damage only gets worse the longer it’s ignored. If you’re seeing raised concrete, cracking, or uneven surfaces, now is the time to act—before roots cause expensive structural issues or safety hazards around your home.

 

LUX Foundation Solutions provides accurate assessments and long-lasting repair options designed for Florida’s fast-growing trees and shifting soil. Our team will determine what’s causing the movement and create a root-safe repair plan that restores your concrete without harming your landscape.

 

We proudly serve Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Palm Coast, and St. Augustine.

 

Call 904-921-3589 to schedule your free concrete evaluation today.

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FAQs About Tree Roots and Concrete Damage in Florida

When should I be worried about tree roots in Jacksonville, FL?

You should be concerned when concrete starts lifting, cracking, or creating uneven edges around your Jacksonville home. Tree roots spread fast in the city’s sandy soil, and even small changes in slab height can redirect stormwater or create trip hazards.

If you’re seeing raised sections or new drainage issues, LUX’s experts can assess the slab and recommend safe, long-term repair options.

How do I stop tree roots from damaging concrete in Gainesville, FL?

In Gainesville, slowing root-related damage starts with controlling moisture, managing root growth, and stabilizing the slab. Florida roots grow aggressively toward water, so you’ll need proper drainage, root barriers, and concrete leveling to protect the area.

 

Experts at LUX can assess the concrete and create a Gainesville-specific plan to stop root movement and restore safe, even concrete.

Can tree roots break through a concrete home’s foundation in Ocala, FL?

Yes. In Ocala, large roots can shift the soil around your foundation, causing cracks, lifted concrete, or uneven settlement. Clay pockets in this region make it easier for roots to move the slab upward or press against the foundation.

Experts at LUX can assess the root cause and recommend the appropriate structural and concrete repairs to protect your foundation.

What should I do when tree roots lift my concrete driveway in Palm Coast, FL?

If roots are lifting your driveway in Palm Coast, act quickly. Coastal moisture accelerates root growth, which can cause the slab to crack, break, or develop unsafe high spots. The best fix is slab leveling, drainage improvement, and strategic root control to stop further movement.

 

LUX  offers Palm Coast-specific concrete lifting and protection solutions to restore the driveway and prevent future lifting.

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