How Do You Raise Settled Concrete Slabs?
Our company name might be Bay Area Underpinning, but that is not all we do. In addition to installing piers to underpin sinking foundations and homes, we also offer poly foam injections to lift concrete slabs. This method allows us to raise and level concrete slabs with foam jacking instead of installing numerous steel piers. Wondering how to lift concrete slabs on your property? Contact Bay Area Underpinning for professional poly foam injection.
What Is Polyurethane Foam Injection?
Polyurethane foam injection is an alternative repair method for fixing concrete floors or slabs. In the polyurethane foam injection process, small holes in the slab are injected with a polyurethane foam to lift and stabilize the slab. This method allows us to quickly and efficiently repair concrete slabs without the installation of underground devices or the replacement of concrete. The poly foam injection process requires the following steps:
- First, the slab is assessed to determine the cause of settling and whether or not it is a candidate for poly foam injection. If the inspection reveals that polyurethane foam is a good repair option, the team proceeds.
- Small holes, about 5/8 in. in diameter, are drilled in various places on the slab. These holes are spaced far enough apart to maintain structural stability and are positioned strategically to allow the most lift for the slab.
- Next, a polyurethane foam material is injected through these holes under the slab. As it fills voids beneath the slab, it also expands, compressing soil under the concrete. When the concrete has reached the desired level, the injection is stopped.
- Once the injection is done, the holes in the concrete can be filled. Then, all equipment is removed and normal use of the slab can begin again at once.
The simple steps of this process can be used to level concrete slabs of many different kinds. Some of the most common applications for polyurethane foam injection are to level:
- Patios or stoops
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Garages/garage approaches
- Factory or warehouse floors
- Interior slab floors
If you are not sure how to level concrete foundations or slabs in your home or business or on your property, call Bay Area Underpinning today. Poly foam injection is a great option for returning concrete to the proper level with minimal downtime.
Check out more about Foundation Lifting Methods
Advantages of Slab Lifting Foam
Many companies use mudjacking to lift concrete slabs. In some cases, companies may recommend replacing a damaged or unlevel slab instead of repairing it. Why should you invest slab leveling foam injection instead of total concrete replacement or mudjacking? Poly foam injection offers several advantages that concrete replacement and traditional mudjacking methods cannot.
Little Wait Time
Compared to many types of mudjacking or concrete replacement, polyurethane foam injection is a faster process. In addition, once the process is completed, normal traffic can be resumed on the slab. In addition to foot traffic, this includes vehicular traffic and even heavy equipment.
Lightweight/Flexible
The grout used in mudjacking can be very heavy, making it more difficult to transport and adding significant weight to the soil, which can have an impact on the structure. Poly foam injection uses a lightweight material that has a high tensile strength without adding bulk or weight.
Soil Compression
While some kinds of mudjacking merely fill in underground voids to lift concrete, polyurethane foam injection utilizes soil compression as well as void filling. As it is injected, the poly foam expands, filling in gaps in the ground and compacting the surrounding soil to prevent further settlement or sinking.
Less disruptive
In addition to being a faster process, polyurethane foam injection is minimally invasive. The process requires small holes to be drilled into the slab, through which the foam is injected underground. Once the foam is injected, the holes can be filled and the entire area can be cleaned up.
Clean Process
Being less disruptive makes the poly foam injection process cleaner than other methods as well. Because this method does not require loose material to be introduced to the site, but rather material to be injected directly underground through small holes in the slab, it is a very easily contained and quick to clean up procedure.
Less Expensive
Because poly foam injection does not require the slab to be torn out and replaced, it is generally a much more affordable option. Fixing the slab instead of pouring new concrete will save you money now and in the future since the poly foam injection helps to prevent further settlement issues.
Because of all of these reasons, raising concrete slabs with foam is often a great option to repair sinking concrete slabs. If you have noticed that your slab is no longer even or level, contact Bay Area Underpinning right away for a free estimate.
- 510-241-4975
- Licensed & A+ Rated
