CONCRETE LIFTING NEAR ME

Hoffman Estates IL

The concrete lifting procedure provides a proven and reliable method for repairing a damaged concrete slab, which is a less expensive alternative when compared to pouring new concrete. Homeowners have to choose from two options when they notice cracked, uneven or sunken concrete slabs. They can either tear out the slab and completely replace it, or correct the problem with concrete lifting.

Concrete lifting (also known as concrete raising or leveling) is the preferred method of repairing damaged concrete surfaces. These concrete surfaces can be found in driveways, patios, sidewalks, steps and garage floors. Concrete lifting helps to return the slab to an even and stable position.

Concrete lifting is preferred to pouring a new slab for the following reasons:

It is less expensive: The cost of concrete lifting, when compared to demolishing and pouring a new slab is considerably lesser. In many cases, concrete slab replacement costs two or three times more than concrete lifting. In a way, replacing the concrete slab might not affect the stability of the soil foundation as concrete lifting would. This gives rise to the possibility that you might be faced with a cracked or unsettled concrete slab again in the future.

Concrete lifting repairs are nearly invisible: Concrete lifting procedure involves drilling several small holes in the damaged slab. The lifting material is then pumped through the holes, which are then sealed off and caulked. There is usually little or no visual evidence of the repair.

A new concrete slab will look perfect after it is poured. However, when compared to the surrounding concrete, how good does it look? Most times, the new slab does not match the concrete around the home in color or in texture. This may not matter much for some repairs, but the mismatch might become quite noticeable if you are repairing a single patio section.

Concrete lifting proffers a fast and easy solution: Removing a concrete slab and replacing it with a new one could prove to be quite cumbersome; it creates a lot of noise, dust and dirt. The concrete lifting procedure however is a much cleaner process that leaves little or no waste behind.

Concrete lifting is also faster and more convenient than replacement. Projects do not take more than one or two hours. Upon completion of the work, the area is ready for use. You only need to wait a few hours before putting heavy weight on the slab as opposed to waiting for days if you poured a new concrete slab.

CONCRETE LIFTING FOAM

You can raise a sunken concrete without paying a huge fortune for replacement. A high-density polymer can be used to lift, level and stabilize settled concrete slabs. This could prove to be a quick, easy and economical choice for many homeowners.

There are two available options when it comes to fixing settled concrete. The first is to replace the concrete. This option could be very expensive. However, there is a more cost-saving option that you may not have heard of. It involves raising concrete with foam.

Lifting concrete with foam is very effective in fixing concrete. Asides extending the life of your concrete, it also saves you time and money. The results of using a polymer lifting system will last much longer. Concrete resettling is unlikely to occur because polymer is extremely strong. All these contributes to make concrete lifting foam an ideal alternative to concrete replacement. Did you also know that polyurethane could be ready for use just 15 minutes after installation?

The process of concrete lifting with foam is simplified into the following steps:

Cost Estimation: A professional estimator will visit the property to look at your concrete. If the concrete slab is located outside, you do not need to be home for the estimate to be done. The estimator determines the cause of the settlement and takes measurements. Measurements are taken to provide a cost estimate.

Drilling Concrete: After you have received the estimates and agreed to the procedure, the work begins. Concrete repair workers arrive to drill small 5/8” holes into the sunken concrete slab. Drilling of these holes is done strategically to avoid cracks, and to ensure that the foam is injected into the right places.

Pumping: The next step is the injection of polymer liquids into the already drilled hole. Once injected, the polymer liquid turns into a foam and will expand to fill any open void and holes. This also stabilizes weak soil and also lifts the sunken slab.

Smooth Patch: When the concrete slabs are fully levelled and stabilized, the technician fills each small hole. This ensures a tight seal that will protect your concrete.

Curing: It only takes about 15 minutes for the curing of your concrete. Your concrete is ready for walking or driving as soon as the crew packs up and head out.

A huge advantage of using polyurethane foam is that this synthetic material does not breakdown or change shape. Thus, it is very unlikely that your concrete will sink at the same rate. However, one of the best ways to keep your concrete from sinking once it is treated with foam is to keep water away. You can continue to maintain your concrete by filling voids with foam, periodically. Moreover, ensure that gaps and expansion joints are caulked to prevent water from getting beneath the slab.

MUDJACKING

WHAT IS MUD JACKING?

Mud jacking is a process used in repairing settled concrete. Over time, structures built on concrete has the potential to suffer structural damage in case the concrete slab sinks. This will undoubtedly cause damage to the foundation and compromise the building stability. Mud jacking is a method for stabilizing and raising settled or sunken concrete slabs. It involves pumping material underneath the sunken concrete slab to lift it back to its original elevation. Mud jacking is a very effective method of concrete raising used by many construction companies.

The process of mud jacking is best for sunken porches, sagging parking lots, cracked sidewalks, damaged driveways and uneven portions. The mud jacking process is able to lift almost any damaged concrete slab.

WHAT MUD JACKING IS NOT?

There are some conditions in which mud jacking will not work. Mud jacking is not best for potholes, pool repairs, foundation repairs and for concrete surfaces approaching the end of their useful life. Mud jacking will not fill in surface holes (like potholes) because the slurry works underneath surfaces, not on top of them.

Pool and foundation repairs cannot rely solely on mud jacking due to weight issues. Materials used in mud jacking cannot support the weight of heavy items like pools and houses. Pools also need fine materials, and slur does not fit into that category.

If the overall concrete area is approaching the end of its useful life, mud jacking might not be the best repair choice. Mud jacking is only recommended when the concrete surface is still in good shape and if it worth saving. Eventually, all concrete surfaces will degrade to a point where they need full replacement and mud jacking will not be a remedy.

THE MUD JACKING PROCESS

The mud jacking process is best defined by explaining the process. Here are steps involved in mud jacking:

Drilling of Holes: The process begins by drilling a series of 2-inch holes into the concrete slab. The holes will be drilled in targeted locations to effectively raise the concrete section.

Normally, the contractor places three to five holes spaced evenly or at a consistent distance from the edge of the concrete slab. The number of holes required will depend on the damage caused to the foundation.

Pumping the mixture through the holes: Slurry, a mixture of different materials such as water, sand, soil, limestone and others is pushed hydraulically below the concrete through the drilled holes. The slurry spreads beneath the concrete slabs, filling all the empty spaces thus stabilizing the soil.

As soon as the empty spaces are filed, the slurry hardens and the concrete slab is lifted.

Caulking the Cracks and Filling Holes: After the mixture has been pumped through the holes and the concrete sections have been filled, the work crew will check to ensure that the slab is in a levelled position. The final step is to clean up the mixture around the holes and caulk them thereby providing a tight seal.

HOW MUCH DOES MUDJACKING COST?

Amongst the available options of concrete repair, mud jacking is considered one of the cheapest. It costs almost half the price of total concrete slab replacement.

However, certain factors may affect the total estimate. These factors include the extent of foundation damage, the number of concrete surfaces that need to be raised, the concrete contractor, how much slurry material is needed to finish the job, among others. Some contractors might give estimates based on how much time it will take to complete the job while others might use a combination of pricing methods.

MORE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MUDJACKING

Asides being cost effective and time saving, there are other reasons why mud jacking is preferred to other methods of concrete repair. Mud jacking is more eco-friendly in that the process aims to restore and reuse rather than tear down and replace. Mud jacking avoids unnecessary waste, thus ensuring a green economy.

The mud jacking process is also less noisy and intrusive than a full concrete replacement. A full replacement will require very heavy and loud equipment, which can create a lot of mess on your property. You might also have to stay far away from the repair zone and parts of your property might become inaccessible for a while.

SLAB JACKING NEAR ME

WHAT IS SLAB JACKING?

Concrete slabs are essential components in any housing. They are present in porches, driveways, patios, walkways and pool surroundings. Over time, these concrete slabs move and could create problems for homeowners. If not promptly attended to, this could lead to accidents, which is not a desirable thing. Often times, the best way to repair a sunken concrete slab is through the slab jacking process.

The slab jacking process is a method of repairing broken or sunken concrete slabs without replacing the entire slab. This process involves pumping a concrete mixture beneath the affected slab to be lifted. This method of concrete is less expensive and requires less labor.

WHY DO CONCRETE SLABS MOVE?

Concrete slabs move due to different reasons. Prime among them is erosion. Erosion causes the soil underneath these concrete slabs to shift, thereby sinking the slab. Erosion can happen as a gradual process or it can occur suddenly by a ruptured drain or broken pipe.

The second reason is climate conditions and the soil type. It is possible that the soil was not compact before the concrete was poured. The weather can also be a contributing factor. The weather can cause the soil to expand and contract, which in turn leads to conditions that make these concrete slabs to shift.

THE SLAB JACKIING PROCESS

The slab jacking process is explained below:

Drilling of holes: The work begins by drilling a series of holes (about half-inch in diameter) into the concrete slab. The number of holes depends on the size of the slab. Smaller slabs may only require one or two holes in the middle of the slab while larger slabs may need three holes arranged in a triangular pattern. These holes are drilled at distances approximately equal from each other.

Pumping Grout: A mixture of materials such as sand, ash, gravel and water is injected into the holes. This mixture (called grout) fills the void underneath the concrete. Gradually, the pressure created by the filler causes the slab to lift.

Hole Plugging: This steps concludes the slab jacking process. The remaining grout in the drilled holes are removed. Then, these holes are filled with a stiff mortar mix creating a smooth and clean surface.

BENEFITS OF SLAB JACKING

The slab jacking process is preferred to concrete slab replacement because it saves time and money. There is little to no downtime during the slab jacking process. The cost of replacing the entire concrete slab is considerably higher than repairing the sunken concrete with slab jacking.

Moreover, the grout used to raise the slab provides a stable base which strengthens the slab. It also stabilizes the soil. Since slabs are not being removed, little or no mess is created. Also, curing of the slab takes a minimum of 28 days when total replacement of the concrete slab is done.

Slab jacking is also eco-friendly, as there is no waste involved when compared to slab replacement. It is also less noisy as there is no noisy concrete breaking. Another benefit is that this procedure can be carried out in almost any weather condition. In contrast to slab replacement, the color of the levelled slab is the same with the surrounding slabs.