Uneven concrete slabs can be a problem both aesthetically and in terms of safety, creating a tripping hazard on your sidewalk or driveway. Replacing the concrete slabs often won’t solve the problem because these slabs will just shift again if there is an underlying issue.
Concrete leveling was developed as a long-term solution to this problem more long-term using a method called mudjacking, but even this only lasts a few years at best before the concrete began to crack, sink, or lift again. Today, there’s an even better method for restoring concrete slabs to their glory days known as polyjacking, which uses polyurethane foam in concrete leveling rather than an ineffective mixture of mud and concrete. Let’s explore the fascinating science behind polyjacking!
What is Polyurethane Foam?
Polyurethane foam is a synthesized foam made from organic materials to create a wide variety of materials. You may have heard the term before when shopping for memory foam mattresses, but it can also be synthesized to create a high-density, high-resilience foam that is lightweight, extremely durable, and very easy to use. Store-bought cans of polyurethane foam sealant can be used for a number of home projects, like filling in cracks and gaps around the exterior of your home.
How Does Concrete Leveling with Polyurethane Work?
The polyurethane foam used in concrete leveling is similar to the foam sealants you might buy from your local hardware store, though even more durable and long-lasting. The use of polyurethane foam in concrete leveling is called “polyjacking,” and it is done by drilling a dime-sized hole in a concrete slab and injecting the polyurethane underneath the slab, lifting and leveling it in minutes!
Once polyurethane foam has been injected underneath the affected concrete, it fills in all existing gaps in the concrete and the soil beneath it to create a level and even stronger foundation.
Benefits of Polyurethane Foam in Concrete Leveling
As a polyjacking business, we’re no strangers to the benefits of polyurethane foam in concrete leveling! We’ve worked in the concrete industry for over 30 years and have yet to see a concrete repair material that does the job better than polyurethane foam. Here are a few of the benefits of choosing polyurethane foam for your concrete leveling job:
It’s Lightweight and Durable
Unlike the mud and concrete mixtures used for mudjacking—which can weigh hundreds of pounds—polyurethane foam only weighs in at two-four lbs per cubic foot. This means that your leveling solution won’t result in future concrete problems by weighing down and sinking your concrete slabs again over time. All this, and it’s extremely durable and long-lasting, keeping your concrete slab firmly in place after leveling!
It Expands Under the Slab
Because polyurethane foam doesn’t take up space until after it is injected, it is much easier for concrete repair experts to tote around and install beneath affected areas. Traditional concrete leveling methods require large holes to be drilled in multiple spots on the affected area or even for slabs to be removed altogether. Polyjacking only requires a singular dime-sized hole to be drilled in the affected slab to inject the polyurethane foam beneath, and this tiny hole is easily repaired after the fact so you won’t even be able to tell it ever existed!
It’s Water Resistant
Concrete slabs often become unlevel because of the soil beneath them shifting, which may occur as a result of soil expanding or contracting with moisture collecting beneath the slab. Polyurethane foam’s water resistance means it will hold firmly in place at all times and block water from making its way underneath the concrete.
It Doesn’t Require Ongoing Maintenance
Mudjacking may solve your concrete leveling problems cheaper than polyjacking in the short run, but the concrete will shift again within a few years without regular maintenance. Polyjacking is a one-and-done process that fixes the problem area in one fell swoop! Once a concrete leveling expert has serviced your sidewalk, driveway, or other concrete areas with polyjacking, you can trust that it will remain strong and level for life—no maintenance required.
The Possibilities are Endless!
While outdoor concrete slabs are what most people think of when it comes to concrete leveling, polyjacking can solve problems for more than just uneven sidewalks. Because it is a non-invasive process, polyjacking can be used to level concrete slabs that sit beneath layers of wood and carpet in the foundation of your building. Polyurethane foam can also be used to repair cracks in concrete or restore the integrity of fully concrete buildings like farm silos. If it’s concrete, polyurethane foam can probably help!
Give Your Concrete the Professional Treatment It Deserves
Polyurethane foam doesn’t just fix your concrete: it leaves it even stronger than before. If you have unlevel or compromised concrete that needs an expert touch, contact Pro Polyjacking today and see the difference polyurethane foam can make!