Using Polyurethane Foam Injections for Concrete Repair
Cracked, broken, and uneven concrete slabs are both an eyesore and a health hazard, with loved ones and guests at risk of trips and falls when walking over these surfaces. Damaged concrete close to your home can also compromise your foundation, potentially resulting in shifting and settlement.
Concrete repair solutions like polyurethane foam can tackle these issues. This specialized compound lifts concrete to its original position. It’s suitable for driveways, sidewalks, porch decks, patios, and other structures.
Learn more about polyurethane foam injections, why you might need them, and the benefits of Groundworks’ concrete raising service.
Why You Need Concrete Repair
Concrete is one of the strongest materials in the world. However, it’s still susceptible to wear and tear. For example, concrete slabs can deteriorate over time, leading to cracks and uneven surfaces.
Soil conditions can also cause concrete damage. When the soil under your home expands and compresses, structures like sidewalks and steps may crack and settle. This is a particular problem in areas like New Haven, CT, where expansive clay soil is common. Freeze-thaw cycles in our city can also cause the soil under concrete slabs to move.
You might need a professional concrete raising service if you notice any of these issues:
- Cracks in sidewalks, driveways, pool decks, and other structures
- Uneven concrete
- Sunken concrete
- Concrete edges that don’t match up
- Slab foundation cracks
Traditional Concrete Repair Methods
For many years, mudjacking (or slabjacking) was the go-to method for concrete lifting. This process involves drilling holes into concrete slabs and inserting a mixture of cement, soil, sand, and water to raise them.
The problem with mudjacking is that it’s messy, doesn’t last a long time, and doesn’t always lift concrete evenly. Mudjacking can also damage the environment and utilities under your home.
Another issue is that the mudjacking mixture takes a long time to dry — up to 72 hours in some instances. That means you won’t be able to use your concrete structures during this period.
Polyurethane Foam Injections
Polyurethane foam is a more modern way to raise concrete than mudjacking. A contractor can inject this foam under concrete slabs to lift and potentially level them. After application, the foam expands to around 15 times its original volume, making it easier to fill voids.
Some of the benefits of polyurethane foam include:
- Quick drying time: The foam cures quickly, meaning you can use your concrete structures again shortly after application.
- Eco-friendly: Polyurethane foam won’t damage your landscaping or the environment, making it a better alternative to mudjacking.
- Flexibility: A contractor can use this foam on all kinds of concrete structures, including sidewalks, porches, garage floors, and steps.
PolyRenewal™ Polyurethane Foam Injections
Here at Groundworks, our PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam injection system can address cracks, sinking slabs, and uneven surfaces. PolyRenewal™ reaches its full strength in just 15 minutes, meaning minimal downtime. It’s also impervious to water, capable of supporting heavy loads, and lightweight (weighing just 4 lbs per cubic ft).
The PolyRenewal™ installation process is straightforward:
- We start by drilling penny-sized holes into damaged concrete slabs.
- Then, we inject the high-density polyurethane foam into these holes through injection ports.
- As the foam expands, it quickly fills voids and lifts concrete slabs back into place.
- Finally, we fill and smooth the holes, leaving no trace of any repair work.
Why Choose Groundworks for Concrete Repair?
Groundworks’ concrete raising service can restore your concrete slabs to their original condition, preventing trips, falls, and foundation damage. Our PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam lifts and potentially levels cracked and uneven concrete, cures quickly, and won’t harm the environment. Get in touch for a free inspection and estimate.
FAQs
It’s fast, strengthens the soil base, minimizes downtime, and eliminates the need for costly excavation.
It’s fast, efficient, non-invasive, and strengthens the soil beneath the slab, minimizing future settling.
Concrete leveling can be performed in most weather conditions, but dry conditions are ideal. Long term cold, below zero, weather may also result in delays.
