Concrete Leveling Services – What You Need to Know?
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There may be many problems around the house. Some of those issues are going to be big, while others may be relatively small.
Sometimes, there may be a problem that may seem small on the surface but can have a significant impact on the safety and stability of your home. This also includes the problem of concrete sinking – a problem that requires professional help in leveling the concrete.
Concrete leveling is sometimes called “slab jacking”. There are also various options available including the materials used to raise the concrete to an acceptable level.
However, in any case, the use of slab lifting is important because it solves more than just the problems visible above the surface; It can also fix some problems below the surface and help keep you and your family safe.
Granted, most people will reach out to a contractor to handle a concrete leveling job because of the appearance associated with uneven concrete – but when you think about it, there are often some significant tripping hazards involved as well.
Additionally, as concrete shifts and sinks, it may eventually crack. Obviously, concrete doesn’t bend, so repairing the problem from below is something that can help save the slab and save you the expense of replacing it.
As a homeowner, it is important for you to be aware of the various options available to raise the slab and keep it at an acceptable level. Being educated on this matter can help you make good decisions and choose a contractor who will work with you and your needs.
That’s why we’ll consider the benefits and potential problems associated with concrete leveling. We’ll look at the best methods available as well as some other common methods that are best avoided.
You will also learn that sometimes leveling a slab is not possible. It’s unfortunate, but if the damage is too extensive or it’s the wrong type of damage, no amount of slab leveling will help.
Advantages and disadvantages of concrete leveling
What is true for any type of construction project is that there will be both benefits and potential issues associated with it. With this in mind, understanding the advantages and disadvantages can also help you make good decisions when it comes to slab leveling.
The first factor we’ll consider is the potential benefits, which can show you why it’s a good idea to do this.
Facility: When you compare the convenience of concrete leveling with the possibility of replacing or tearing out a slab, there really is no comparison. When the contractor comes to raise your slab, they’ll be there for a short time – and when they’re gone, they won’t leave a trace behind.
Cost: Obviously, removing the concrete, hauling it away and then pouring the new slab would be an expensive process. Be it small or big, this work will cost a lot.
On the other hand, slab leveling is relatively inexpensive. There are some costs associated with this, but they are minimal compared to the slab replacement option.
Looks: It is important to understand that trying to match a concrete slab is extremely difficult when you are pouring a new slab with old concrete. However, if you are using the same slab and enhancing it to an acceptable level, it will match the old look perfectly.
Time: The process of slab leveling is relatively quick. This is especially true for polyurethane jacking, which we will discuss further in this article. It only takes a little time to inject the polyurethane – and once it spreads and lifts the concrete, you can start using it within about 15 minutes.
These are some of the benefits that come with concrete leveling. There are some potential problems associated with this that should also be considered.
Visible break: If the slab is already cracked, the crack will close to some extent when the slab is lifted. That gap will narrow to a great extent, but will not disappear completely. You will still be able to see the area where the crack exists – and although you can patch it, it will not match the old concrete perfectly.
outcome: A professional slab lifter can raise the concrete to an acceptable level, and it will match the old slab very closely.
That being said, there will be times when things don’t work out exactly as planned. In rare cases, the soil beneath the slab may not provide enough support to lift the slab into place. There are also cases in which the slab may crack (although this is also rare).
Mudjacking Vs. Polyjacking: is there a difference?
There are two primary types of slab lifting to consider. Each of these may be possible in your local area, and they both promise the same results, but they differ greatly in the ingredients used and benefits provided.
Mudjacking was used for many years before polyurethane became available. The process involves pumping soil solution beneath the surface of the concrete and lifting it into place.
In theory, this would work well enough—but unfortunately, it’s only a temporary solution compared to polyurethane jacking. There are other problems associated with mudjacking, including large holes used to pump the slurry below the surface.
There are some companies that still offer mudjacking, but it is best to avoid this process. Polyjacking (using polyurethane foam) is the best option available today for several reasons.
First, polyjacking is done using small holes in the concrete that are approximately the size of a coin. A special device is used to pump the polyurethane mixture under the concrete. As it does so, it rapidly expands and lifts the slab into place.
Polyurethane has the advantage of being permanent compared to the clay solutions used in mudjacking. Additionally, once the polyjacking is complete, you will be able to begin using the slab almost immediately. It only takes 15 minutes to set up.
While it’s good to consider both options, there are very few (if any) occasions when mudjacking is better. In fact, most companies that have moved to polyurethane have now stopped offering mudjacking altogether.
Step-by-Step Concrete Leveling Process
The process of leveling concrete using polyurethane foam is relatively simple. There are a few steps, but in the hands of a professional, it happens quickly and is done with very few potential problems.
The first step in the process is to drill small, coin-sized holes in the concrete. Next, ports will be inserted into the holes to allow the polyurethane to be pumped under the concrete slab.
Special guns are used to pump polyurethane under the slab under pressure. When the polyurethane mixture is combined, the foam begins to expand and does so very quickly. As the foam expands, it pushes in all directions.
To some extent, the expansion of the foam pushes against the soil and compacts it. It also lifts the slab from underneath, helping to push it into place. This continues back and forth, compressing the soil beneath the slab and raising the slab to an acceptable height.
Once the slab is at the correct height, the guns and ports are removed. A patch is then used to fill the holes. Extra care is taken to ensure that the colors match as closely as possible.
Common Problems That Cannot Be Fixed by Concrete Leveling
Concrete leveling is used to level many different types of slabs, including driveways, patios, sidewalks, and other large pieces of concrete. There are times when slab piers are required to get the job done, but this is usually only the case with basement slabs.
There may be times when concrete leveling is unable to correct uneven concrete slabs. When this happens, the slab will need to be removed, moved away, and a new slab inserted.
Typically, concrete leveling cannot be used when the damage is so significant that the concrete will not lift into place. This includes when the slab is cracking or when tree roots have destroyed the slab and caused it to break into several pieces.
Surface damage or deterioration in poured concrete also cannot be corrected using slab lifting. There may be options available to repair this type of damage, but lifting the slab is not the preferred option for them.
Slab lifting has come a long way since the old days of mudjacking. The use of polyurethane not only makes it possible to raise the slab into position, but is also a convenient option for homeowners.