Concrete lifting, also known as mudjacking or slab jacking, uses a grout mixture to lift sunken concrete back to its normal position. The process is much faster than replacing a slab and is less invasive to your home.
Your contractor drills penny-sized holes through your sunken concrete. He then pumps mud or polyurethane foam through the holes and into the sunken areas below your slab. For professional help, contact Level Ground Excavation.
Many homeowners find themselves dealing with sunken concrete, which can not only be a tripping hazard but also a cosmetic eye sore. Concrete lifting is a simple process that uses polyurethane foam to lift and stabilize sinking slabs. It is a safe, quick, and effective alternative to traditional mudjacking and costs less than concrete replacement.
The concrete lifting process involves injecting a mixture of polyurethane foam and cement under the affected area to raise it. The foam is water-resistant and durable, meaning it will not deteriorate over time like the slurry used in traditional mudjacking. It is also more cost-effective than traditional mudjacking, as it only requires small holes to be drilled and can be done much quicker.
Mudjacking is a common method for raising sunken concrete slabs, but it is not as effective or long-lasting as polyurethane concrete lifting. The slurry used in mudjacking is made of pulverized limestone, Portland cement, and water, and it is pumped hydraulically underneath the concrete through 1″ holes. This slurry creates pressure under the slab, raising it and compressing soil. The problem with this method is that it is more likely to have issues in the future due to soil conditions and the amount of pressure put on the slab.
In contrast, the polyurethane concrete lifting method uses a small hole the size of a penny to inject the foam underneath the concrete. The foam expands in seconds and is injected with incremental injections to prevent over-raising the concrete. The polyurethane foam is a lighter-weight material than the slurry used in mudjacking and does not require as much pressure to push up the concrete.
The injected foam will not only lift the concrete back to its original level, but it will also repair the underlying issue of poor compaction. The foam will compress the soil, preventing further sinking of the slabs. Polyurethane concrete lifting is the most effective method of raising sunken concrete, and it can be used on sidewalks, driveways, steps, patios, and garage floors. It is also more affordable and faster than mudjacking and does not damage the surrounding landscape.
Time
Concrete can be very heavy, so it takes a lot of strength to lift it. Fortunately, there are ways to make it easier. Using a concrete lifting machine can save you time and effort. However, you should still be careful to handle the material properly to avoid injuries. In addition, wearing adequate skin protection is important to prevent chemical burns. If you get burned, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention.
Sunken concrete can cause trips and falls, as well as damage to vehicles and equipment. It can also ruin the look of your home or business. However, you don’t have to break out and replace your concrete driveway, patio, or steps. Instead, you can hire a contractor to perform a concrete lifting procedure. This is a relatively simple process that involves injecting stabilizing grout beneath the concrete slab to raise it back up to its original level.
When it comes to concrete lifting, the most important factor is how long the repair will last. Many factors can affect how long a concrete lifting solution will last, including environmental conditions and the type of soil in the area. However, one thing that can help ensure the longevity of your concrete repair is to address the underlying cause of the sinking.
With polyurethane concrete lifting, small holes are drilled in the sunken slab. Then, liquid polyurethane is injected underneath the concrete. This foam expands within seconds, filling the void and compressing the weak soil. It can even lift a concrete slab that has sunk more than 6 inches below its original height.
The injected polyurethane will cure in about 15 minutes, which allows you to use the concrete surface as soon as possible. This is far faster than waiting days for the mudjacking slurry to harden. In addition, polyurethane concrete lifting is more permanent than traditional leveling methods. In fact, mudjacking may only last a few years before the concrete sinks again. In contrast, polyurethane concrete lifting will last decades. This is because the injected polyurethane actually fixes the root cause of the sunken concrete rather than simply raising it.
Safety
Concrete lifting is a relatively safe procedure, but there are certain safety precautions that should be taken to prevent accidents. These precautions include wearing a face mask and protective eyewear and using a respirator when mixing concrete. Cement dust is a serious health hazard and can cause breathing problems, especially if it is inhaled repeatedly. It is also important to be aware of potential hazards, such as unstable soils, contested property lines, changes in weather and terrain, underground utilities, and a lack of proper equipment or experience with machinery.
Workers may suffer back problems from overexertion while lifting and moving heavy loads. This is a common construction site injury, so it’s important to avoid it by taking breaks and always lifting with your legs rather than your back. It’s also a good idea to use wheeled carts for large loads to reduce the strain on your back and shoulders. If you’re not able to lift a load on your own, ask for help instead of risking an injury.
Other hazards associated with concrete lifting include slipping and falling, which can be particularly dangerous if the slabs are wet or icy. This type of accident can cause severe injuries and even death, so it’s crucial to take every necessary precaution when handling concrete.
It’s also important to wear proper footwear when walking on wet or icy concrete. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands and keep them from getting cold. In addition, you should always check that the ground is stable before proceeding with any work.
Mudjacking involves drilling holes through the concrete and pumping mud under it. This can create uneven surfaces and compromise the structural integrity of the concrete. It can also leave a mess that is difficult to clean up. Additionally, mudjacking is temporary and doesn’t address the underlying issue that caused the concrete to sink in the first place.
Fortunately, polyurethane concrete lifting is safer and more effective than traditional mudjacking. The injected material is strong enough to support the concrete, but it is much lighter than mud, so it doesn’t put as much pressure on the unstable soils underneath. In addition, the polyurethane foam won’t lose density or shrink over time, so it’s a permanent solution.
Appearance
Concrete lifting is a process that involves drilling holes into sunken or uneven concrete slabs and then pumping a special compound into those holes to lift the concrete. This process can be used to level driveways, basement floors, walkways, and patios. It can also be used to repair concrete slabs that have cracked or shifted. While some people may be tempted to do this project on their own, it is important to have experienced professionals perform the job for maximum safety and effectiveness.
One of the main reasons to choose concrete lifting is to improve the appearance of a home. While mudjacking and concrete replacement can make a damaged concrete surface look new again, they are not as attractive as a properly finished concrete slab. Additionally, these repairs are only temporary and do not address the underlying problem. Concrete lifting solves the underlying problem and provides a permanent solution for damaged concrete surfaces.
In addition to preventing tripping hazards and improving the visual appeal of a property, concrete lifting can also save homeowners money. While pouring new concrete is expensive and time-consuming, it can be more cost-effective to hire a professional concrete contractor to perform concrete lifting instead of replacing the entire slab. This repair can be done in less time than a poured slab, and it is less expensive than replacing a sunken concrete sidewalk or driveway.
Mudjacking has been the go-to concrete leveling method for nearly a century, but it is not as effective as concrete raising. This method uses a heavy slurry to pump underneath the slab, which can cause problems with weak soils. The slurry also adds weight to the concrete, which can cause further sinking and instability in the long term. Concrete lifting foam, on the other hand, compresses the soil beneath the concrete to prevent further sinking. It also requires fewer injection holes than mudjacking, and it is safer for the environment.
In addition to tripping hazards and structural issues, unleveled concrete can affect the health of workers. For example, construction workers who spend most of their day walking on concrete are at high risk for developing plantar fasciitis, a painful condition that causes inflammation of the band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot. In addition to physical discomfort, this condition can lead to chronic wheezing, arthritis, and even cancer. Concrete lifting can reduce the risk of plantar fasciitis and other health conditions associated with working on concrete.