Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
Those of us in the Northeast are all too familiar with the region’s unpredictable weather that often includes extreme events such as excessive snow accumulation, dangerous ice storms, and destructive flooding. The earth’s soils are constantly moving, and with freezing, thawing, flooding, and drought, those soils expand and contract, thus no longer providing proper support for the concrete surface above it. Since we’re not unable to control the movement of soil nor it’s compaction or erosion, we find that concrete of all shapes and sizes is susceptible to sinking and cracking. This can create quite a headache for property owners, especially when trying to determine the best course of action to resolve the problem. Fortunately, there are now more affordable concrete solutions that won’t break the bank.
For decades the industry standard was to repair sunken concrete by removing the slab and pouring new concrete. Although this solution is still common practice and in some cases the only viable solution, it can be both expensive and time consuming. Why replace a sunken slab when you can simply raise it?
“Slabjacking” is a concrete repair technology that dates back to the early twentieth century, when contractors used hydraulic pressure to pump a grout mixture under sunken concrete slabs to raise them back up. These early adapters used a mixture of soils often combined with limestone or cement to create a mud-like material. This technique is often referred to as mudjacking and is still being used to this day. The reason we no longer recommend mudjacking as a long-term concrete solution is due to the materials used in this process. The mixture is very heavy (as much as 100 lbs per cubic foot) which can add more weight to already compromised soil, in turn potentially contributing to the original problem. The soil mix is also very susceptible to deterioration; water can cause the material to break down and erode, resulting in further settlement.
Polyurethane slabjacking is a cost-effective and time efficient concrete repair solution. Foundation wall cracks can be sealed from inside using polyurethane injection that will bond the wall together and keep moisture out. Sunken sidewalk slabs can quickly and easily be restored to their original placement. For those looking to simply get rid of those unsightly concrete cracks, no problem. Minor sidewalk cracks can be cleaned and caulked or patched with non-shrinking grout, improving the overall appearance. Let our expert team at Maryland Concrete Leveling help determine the best solution to meet your needs and your budget.
Cost Savings Polyurethane concrete leveling is an affordable, efficient permanent solution. Slabjacking costs a fraction of the price one would pay to pour new concrete.
Immediate Results Polyurethane foam cures within minutes. Your concrete slab is ready to bear weight and return to normal use by the time the job is complete. Depending on the size of the job, most repairs can be completed in one day.
Lightweight Material Unlike heavy mudjacking grout, polyurethane only weighs approximately 2 pounds per cubic foot.
Less Invasive Injection holes are drilled to the size of a dime and controlled injection techniques prevent excess mess.
Long Lasting Polyurethane foam cures as a solid support structure for your slab and helps stabilize the surrounding loose soil. The lightweight material is waterproof and made to last.
Eco-Friendly We’ve teamed up with NCFI’s Team TerraThane, the leader in geotechnical foam solutions, to bring you the best, non-toxic, environmentally safe, polyurethane foam manufactured in the United States.
Multifunctional Polyurethane can used to lift and/or support a wide variety of locations including:
- Sidewalks
- Slabs
- Porches
- Basement floors
- Driveways
- Bridge approaches
- Warehouse floors
- Pool decks
- Steps or stairs
- Patios
- Parking lots
- Railroad crossings
Not all cracks are created equal… small cracks in your concrete may be nothing to worry about. It’s extremely common to find small cracks in concrete slabs over time due to the constant movement of the soils underneath. At Maryland Concrete Leveling, we can provide you with peace of mind and assess the severity of the issue to determine if there’s a more serious underlying structural problem. Aside from the unattractive appearance of sunken or cracked concrete, it’s important to check that these changes won’t lead to larger problems if left untreated. Some of the most common issues we see are trip hazards along sidewalks with sunken concrete, compromised structural integrity of foundations due to widening cracks over time and voids under slabs caused by soil erosion.
For decades the industry standard was to repair sunken concrete by removing the slab and pouring new concrete. Although this solution is still common practice, it can be both expensive and time consuming. Polyurethane slab jacking is a cost-effective and time saving alternative. Foundation wall cracks can be sealed from this inside with a polyurethane injection that will bond your wall together and keep moisture out. Minor sidewalk cracks can be cleaned and caulked or patched with non-shrinking grout, improving the overall appearance. Let our expert team at Maryland Concrete Leveling help determine the best solution to meet your needs and your budget.
Polyurethane concrete leveling, or slabjacking, is a process that begins by drilling a series of 5/8” holes (approximately the size of a dime) through the top of the existing concrete slab. Polyurethane foam is then injected into each hole, penetrating and compacting the soil until a solid base is formed. The foam will continue to expand to almost 10 times its size, lifting the concrete slab back to its original elevation. Polyurethane foam is injected into each hole to properly support the weight of the concrete and anything that may pass over it. After the slab is raised to the desired height, the holes are patched with a non-shrink grout and blended to match the existing concrete. There’s no downtime or waiting period required once the process is completed- the slab can be used right away.
