4 Reasons My Concrete Should Be Lifted

 

Cracked sidewalk in need of concrete repair

Although concrete is a durable material used widely for building, it can sometimes experience shifts or cracks, especially when subjected to certain conditions. When damages occur concrete repair is often the solution. Instead of replacing concrete, you can consider lifting it whenever you see visible cracks, puddles, sinking slabs, and uneven concrete. Below are 4 top reasons your concrete should be lifted:

 

1. Reduce the risk of injury

If you’re a property owner, you’re responsible for keeping your tenants or clients safe at all times. Having a damaged or uneven slab increases the risk of slip and fall injuries. Therefore, you need concrete repair near me. Getting injury due to an uneven or damaged slab will bring unwanted liabilities to the family.

 

2. Easy and lasting solution

When your slab has some problems, there are increased chances of worsening in the near future. Therefore, it’s essential to lift your concrete slab immediately and prevent future hassles. If you use polyurethane foam, it’ll take a few hours to complete. Additionally, slabjacking is also less noisy and cleaner compared to removal and replacement.

 

3. Reduce the risk of water damage

A damaged, uneven or sunken concrete will cause water damage in your home. Concrete lifting can possibly reduce this risk, making you spend less money in various aspects, including foundation repair.

 

4. Less costly

Concrete lifting is typically less expensive compared to replacement. On average, the cost of slabjacking ranges between $500-$1,200. The cost varies based on the project size. On the other hand, if you decide to replace your entire concrete slab, you might spend twice or thrice on this cost. Again, if you replace the concrete slab, you will likely get cracks shortly.

 

In conclusion, these are the top reasons your concrete should be lifted. If you’ve decided to sell your property, you can also consider lifting concrete, as this will increase your home market value. Concrete repair Dallas, Texas should only be left to a professional contractor with the necessary skills and knowledge in handling the task.

level for construction

What to Expect When Having Concrete Leveled

Your home has never looked better than it does now, but if you’re looking for ways to improve its aesthetics even more, then adding concrete leveling to your outdoor spaces may be the way to go. This simple improvement will give your yard a whole new look and make it easier for you to enjoy all of the amenities that come with living in this part of town. 

 

Concrete leveling is not limited to repairing cracked surfaces anymore; instead, you’ll notice more homeowners opting for this service because it is fast and efficient. Unlike other methods such as grinding, no particles are flying around at high speeds during the process, making it safe for use around children and pets which makes one wonder why they ever opted out in the first place! So what should you expect when having concrete leveled? If you want to know what improvements you can expect when having your concrete leveled, here are six things worth noting:

 

1) The Home’s Curb Appeal Will Be Enhanced

The first thing people notice about your home is the overall curb appeal. A good-looking front lawn tells visitors that you take pride in how it looks. What could be nicer than taking out the grass and replacing the concrete flooring with something that looks like a polished dance floor? If you want to make your outdoor spaces more interesting, then consider concrete leveling. It will give your home an amazing appearance and make it look more modern than it has before.

 

2) You Can Enjoy High-Quality Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living is all about making memories with family and friends. This is why concrete leveling is getting so much attention these days. It can help turn concrete patios into beautiful outdoor rooms where people can enjoy just sitting around talking or singing songs near the fire pit after dinner. You’ll love being outside now that you have flat concrete instead of bumpy concrete.

 

3) No More Bumps in the Walkway

Who loves tripping over concrete bumps? Nobody! If you have concrete that is “raised” in certain spots, then concrete leveling will fix this problem. The concrete guys can literally shave off the high areas so that everybody who steps onto your property walks across even concrete all day long.

 

4) It’s Not Expensive to Add Concrete Leveling

Concrete leveling may be a bit more expensive than just pouring concrete into place, but it’s well worth the money. You can enjoy all of these great benefits without having to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on improving your outdoor spaces. Prices vary depending on the size and scope of the project, but you can expect to pay $1 per square foot or less for this service, which is far cheaper than concrete installation.

 

5) Concrete Leveling Will Last a Long Time

Concrete leveling is not like concrete pouring. This concrete treatment lasts four times longer, which means that you won’t need to worry about it for at least 15 years or so. If you care about the overall appearance of your property, then this service will pay off dividends over time as it keeps on looking great year after year without any deterioration.

 

6) It’s Easy to Install and Maintain

You don’t have to be a professional concrete contractor in order to install concrete leveling or attend to any problems associated with this service. You just need some basic do-it-yourself knowledge and you can handle it yourself, even if you’re working on concrete that is hundreds of square feet. If concrete leveling ever starts to wear down – for example, if concrete raising becomes a problem – then you can always pour concrete into place and replace it with something brand new.

 

Now that you know what concrete leveling has to offer, it’s probably a good idea for you to invest in our services. Contact concrete experts today! You can enjoy concrete leveling for at least 15 years, which gives you plenty of time to make concrete leveling a success in your home.

 

parking lot aerial view

Why You Need To Fix Your Parking Lot?

The cost to fix your parking lot is not the only thing you should consider when deciding whether or not to fix it. The safety of your employees and customers is also an important factor. As well as how quickly you can get the job done, depending on what condition your parking lot is in. Fixing a parking lot should be at the top of every business owner’s list because its benefits outweigh any drawbacks by far. A poorly maintained parking lot has consequences for all aspects of a company’s operations, so fixing it can save money in other areas while keeping everyone safe and happy. The following are reasons why is it Important to Fix Your Parking Lot:

 

  1. Provide safe and easy access to your business through the parking lot

A smooth, well-maintained parking lot provides your customers with a safe, convenient place to park while they are visiting your business. If the lot is potholed or cluttered with equipment, it will deter customers from visiting in the first place and cause accidents if they do.

 

  1. Ensure a first impression that reflects well on your business

In addition to being a safe place to park, your parking lot should be attractive and carefully designed for easy entry and exit from the space. When you build or renovate your parking lot, design it in a way that reflects positively on your business and what it has to offer.

 

  1. Avoid liability issues, fines, and damage to vehicles

Potholes, broken pavement, and other hazards in your parking lot can cause major problems if they lead to accidents or injuries, so it’s important to maintain the area carefully. If you fail to properly maintain the area around your business or do not provide sufficient warning of dangerous conditions, you could face fines and lawsuits.

 

  1. Ensure that your facility is ADA compliant

If you have an older parking lot that does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it must be made to do so as soon as possible, or you can face expensive lawsuits down the line. According to the law, anyone who owns a place of public accommodation must ensure that disabled individuals are able to access goods and services at least as easily as other customers. Parking lots should meet specific requirements for the width of accessible parking spaces, slopes, and more.

 

  1. Make your business run efficiently

A well-maintained parking lot will ease traffic flow in and out of your business, making it easier for staff members to park when they arrive and for customers to exit when they leave. If the lot is constantly jammed with cars, employees will not be able to find spaces in which to park. Parking lots that are designed well also allow your business to run more smoothly by encouraging traffic flow into, around, and out of your business.

 

  1. Keep pace with modern designs for parking lots

Years ago, businesses often favored asphalt or even dirt surfaces rather than concrete or brick because the latter two materials were considered too expensive. Now, however, many businesses choose to build new parking lots using high-quality pavement materials, including concrete pavers, brick pavers, and interlocking pavers because these take little maintenance while adding a beautiful touch of color or pattern to any commercial property.

 

  1. Easily accommodate deliveries in the parking lot

If you receive regular shipments, the best way to ensure that your parking lot can handle these vehicles is to choose materials that facilitate easy entry and exit. For example, if you plan to use a curb cut as part of your delivery process, it’s important to strengthen the surrounding pavement so that heavy trucks will not cause damage.

 

  1. Protect the value of your business

One reason for making sure that your facility is ADA compliant has nothing to do with customers: It also protects the investment and value of your business and property. According to federal law, all commercial facilities must be accessible by disabled individuals unless businesses provide “the same degree” of access for those who need special accommodations as they do for everyone else. If it is not possible to provide equal access, it must be offered at a different price or otherwise made available.

 

  1. Keep your commercial property in good shape

If your commercial parking lot looks poorly maintained and cluttered, customers may assume that the same is true of the inside of your business as well–and they will find someplace else to go. In addition, if you have been cited for failure to maintain ADA-compliant facilities on your property, federal law requires that these citations be posted on websites such as Fines.gov. In other words, customers who have bad experiences with your business by being unable to reach or buy from you will know it.

 

At the end of the day, a parking lot is an expensive investment. Make sure to take care of it so that you can get as much out of your space as possible and avoid costly parking lot repairs in the future. 

 

uneven driveway

Polyurethane vs. Mudjacking

POLYURETHANE CONCRETE RAISING TECHNIQUE

Our concrete repair plan includes the controlled lift of individual slabs of concrete to realign and level the slabs. (Concrete Leveling) We achieve a precise result by applying expansive polymer foam just beneath the surface of the slab. This process eliminates the failing condition as well as seals and stabilizes all defective joints and sources of water penetration from further erosion. The variety of soils and substrates across the Front Range are often the root of the problem. Liftech’s concrete repair system treats the soils and addresses the water and erosion issues. The average life cycle of concrete is extended at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

Until recently, mudjacking has been the method more commonly used for lifting fallen concrete and is still a widely acceptable form of restoration. Mudjacking and polyurethane achieve similar results, however, the process by which those results are achieved and the extended performance of the two products are completely different.

Polyurethane Benefits

  • Long-Lasting | Polyurethane cures as a solid, impermeable structure that adheres to the concrete and is not susceptible to fracture or failure.
  • Soil Stabilization | Polyurethane is injected as a liquid to raise concrete and reacts within the loosely, non-compacted soils to solidify and stabilize the soils.
  • Less Invasive | Liftech uses controlled injections in penny-sized holes to raise your concrete quickly and effectively
  • Lightweight | Polyurethane weighs about two pounds per cubic ft. which is ideal for concrete leveling
  • Fast Acting | Polyurethane cures within minutes and your concrete is ready to use again once we leave the job site.
  • Defend Against Natural Erosion | Our environmentally friendly solution creates an eco-barrier to moisture, harmful chemicals, insects, rodents, and soil erosion.

WHAT IS MUDJACKING?

| Answer | Mudjacking uses a mixture of sand and water infused with a small amount of Portland cement, which helps the material solidify.  The sand and water mixture is pumped through 1 – 5\8″ holes in the concrete using hydraulic pressure to lift the sunken concrete.  This concrete mixture is considered a structural fill and is very heavy, weighing an average of 100 – 110 pounds per cubic foot of material.

Benefits of Polyurethane Concrete Raising Vs Mudjacking

| Answer | Polyurethane concrete raising consists of an environmentally safe liquid polymer foam that is injected through penny-size holes in the concrete and into the loose, unstable soil below.  Through an eco-friendly chemical reaction, the high-density foam expands to stabilize the loose soils and lift the fallen concrete.  After approximately 15 minutes, the polyurethane material is fully cured and ready to return to service.  the polyurethane only weighs about 2 pounds per cubic foot of material.  Polyurethane foam is an inert, non-toxic, environmentally safe material.  It is impervious to moisture or decay, ensuring that over time, it will not only be environmentally friendly, but your concrete repair will last a lifetime.  Liftech’s polyurethane system utilizes a much smaller, 5/8 inch hole (about the size of a penny).  Following the repair, those holes are filled with chemical grouting that matches the surrounding concrete.

There are other ways to repair concrete, you can learn about them on our services page.

 

polyurethanefoaminjection_2

weight

Concrete Repair

Don’t Replace Your Concrete… Repair it!

Concrete is one of the best and most preferred building materials which can be used in concrete sidewalks, concrete driveways, stamped concrete, concrete repairs, and concrete flooring demands. One of the reasons why concrete stands out from other building materials is that it is an affordable construction material. Second, it is a durable material that can last for many decades withstanding elements such as wind, water, fire, and vibrations. Third, concrete is a versatile material that can be used from a simple concrete sidewalk to stamped and decorative concrete. Are you in need of commercial concrete repair work for your patio, sidewalk, or driveway? Here are a variety of concrete services that you can consider for your residential and commercial concrete works.

Commercial Concrete Leveling

Commercial concrete leveling is preferred for leveling and stabilizing uneven concrete slabs such as driveways, sidewalks, warehouse floors, and roadways. In addition, commercial concrete leveling can be used in applications such as erosion control and void filling, railroad and airport runway repairs, and leveling uneven bridge approaches and roads. Concrete leveling systems are usually designed to function under severe conditions. The benefit of polyurethane foam system which is used in commercial concrete leveling is that it is lightweight weighing only 4 to 6 pounds after being laid. It is also waterproof meaning that it cannot wash out. If you are looking for an alternative to concrete replacement, re-leveling, and mudjacking then look no further than commercial concrete leveling.

Concrete Raising

Concrete raising refers to the method of raising concrete so that it matches an existing grade, the benefit of which is that it eliminates sunken concrete areas, drainage problems, and trip hazards. There are two methods that are involved in concrete raising: mudjacking and polyurethane foam concrete raising. Polyurethane concrete raising involves injecting foam material under the slab. When small holes are drilled in the sunken concrete and materials pumped underneath the slab, the foam fills the void and raises the slab to the required level. After the void is filled, it is raised then leveled making it more stable than it ever was.

Cement/ Concrete Repair

Concrete repair or cement repair refers to the process of fixing a concrete surface that has been damaged as a result of environmental exposure. Cement repair is ideal for physical impacts, cracks, and surface scaling. During cement repair, the concrete surface will be cleaned to remove grease, dirt, oil, granules, or concrete flakes. Scrub and clean the area to be repaired using a broom and brush. Next use water to flush the area that is supposed to be repaired. After that, use cement repair solutions like vinyl patching compound and mix with water. Finally, trowel the mix into broken areas and cracks, and level the area to fix it.

Commercial Parking Lot Repair

Commercial parking lot repair refers to anything from damage, to the parking lot repair, to cracks and fixing the drainage. Parking lot repair entails sealing cracks that are caused by poor parking lot construction, sun, and water damage. It also entails resealing and resurfacing which extends the lifespan of the concrete.

Despite popular belief, concrete can last and look good for a very long time and can be much more cost-efficient to repair it, rather than replacing it.  Let us help you with your next commercial concrete project.

 

Don’t Replace Your Concrete… Repair it!
Driveway Repair before and after

Driveway Repair & Leveling

Driveway repair projects are tricky to handle.  The concrete slabs themselves, are extremely heavy and are not easily leveled, lifted, or repaired.  Driveway leveling normally requires professional help because of the unforeseeable problems that arise.

To illustrate these types of problems, here’s an example of a Driveway repair project we helped within Carrolton, Texas.

  • Our professional technicians arrived and see the driveway was split into sever-able slabs and each of the slabs had several cracks due to harsh weather and natural vehicle wear over the years.
  • Our technicians then adapted and changed the strategy on the spot to ensure the least amount of drilling to still ensure the concrete would be stabilized and leveled.
  • They began lifting the driveway slabs starting with the beginning of the driveway and slowly moved towards the end.  Each slab was leveled with not only the other slabs but the sidewalk as well.  Each slab is equally leveled with the next.
  • After a few hours, the driveway repair project was completed with the lifting completed, leveling done and concrete sealed.

Concrete leveling projects are not easy, but they are a much better option than removing the concrete completely and replacing everything.  That project is so expensive and wastes so much concrete.  Our concrete repair and driveway leveling approach is eco-friendly and saves hundreds of concrete slabs from going to the dump.

Next time you have a sunken driveway that needs to be fixed or an uneven sidewalk or patio, let professionals come in and help keep the project expenses low and ensure that the quality is professional.

There are two methods that are involved in concrete raising: mudjacking and polyurethane foam concrete raising. Polyurethane concrete raising involves injecting foam material under the slab. When small holes are drilled in the sunken concrete and materials pumped underneath the slab, the foam fills the void and raises the slab to the required level. After the void is filled, it is raised then leveled making it more stable than it ever was.

Concrete services

DIY vs Professional Help

There are many different ‘do-it-yourself’ kits for almost all projects around the house that can also be done by professional services… commercial concrete repair is no exception. However, it is commonly known that DIY projects often produce poorer results and sometimes bigger problems than the initial project.   Great results often come from professional work and offer peace of mind that the project is done and good to go. For concrete leveling and repair or any work with cement, there is definitely a need for knowledge, because those projects can turn problematic very quickly if a professional isn’t helping.

Truthfully, most of the concrete repair work i.e. uneven sidewalks, sunken driveway, concrete raising, etc need a professional, and below are some reasons why you need to hire a professional for your broken and uneven concrete.

Professional concrete contractors save you time.

Learning curves can be steep, really steep.  Concrete projects can take time and are unforgiving if too many mistakes are made.  More often than not, projects require tools, supplies, and other necessities that are only known if you’ve done the project before.  Concrete repair jobs can often lead to complete replacements when the finished job isn’t satisfactory. The time wasted trying to save money immediately is voided because a replacement has to be made.  Which will end up wasting more time and money.

The repair will be more durable

Another reason why you should consider hiring a professional concrete contractor to repair your broken and uneven concrete is the factor of durability.  The job will be done and it will be done correctly. No worry if the amateur attempt will hold or survive the harsh weather conditions it could encounter.

Saves you money.

If you decide to take on the project yourself, you will undoubtedly need to buy multiple tools because there aren’t many places that offer tools to be rented.  Costs can quickly become out-of-hand when the wrong tools are purchased of the job becomes harder than you think. When you hire a professional contractor they will come with their own tools and pieces of machinery; sometimes your work is done at a cheaper and more affordable cost.

Professional concrete contractors have more experience.

The saying goes, “you can’t put a price on experience”… in the concrete industry, you can.  Hiring a professional concrete contractor to repair your broken and uneven concrete is the best solution, this is because the contractor is quite experienced and learned their trade from other professionals.

Reliability

Whenever you perform concrete leveling, you are looking for a permanent solution that will leave your home or project looking better than new.   Relying on oneself is always risky because of the unforeseen obstacles that come up. Pay for the reliability and pay for the peace of mind that the concrete repair will hold up and be stable.

Efficiency

We live in a world where time is more and more valuable, we don’t like waiting, and we don’t like it when our plans fall through.  A professional contractor will be efficient in their repair of the concrete, correctly keep to an arranged time. Efficiency also leads to less inconvenience.  Often these projects can cause you to park in inconvenient places are not be able to walk where you want to. Concrete is often taken for granted and when it’s not available, we are not too happy.  It’s important to have an efficient plan so your daily routine can go back to normal.

With the many above-mentioned advantages of hiring a professional concrete contractor, there is no good reason why you should go ahead and try to repair your broken and uneven concrete by yourself.  

 

hand planting seedling in soil

Why Concrete Leveling Is GREAT For the Environment

Structures that are built using concrete are subject to various environmental pressures, most of which may lead to damage, such as sinking, heaving, or cracking. Once individuals settle in the building, these issues worsen since the soil under the structure continues to erode and weaken.

One of the most dangerous threats to your home is soil settling or sinking of the concrete foundation. A foundation is developed to make the entire structure stable, but it cannot retain its structural integrity or shape when the soil below it no longer gives it steady and sound support.

That can happen when the ground beneath a concrete foundation becomes excessively water-absorbent or inadequately packed. As the earth breaks down due to loose soil or expands due to water absorption, the concrete slab will ripple, bend, heave, and sink deeper progressively over time.

The best thing is that if you come across such an issue in your building or home, there are various concrete solutions available. Most people use Mudjacking and polyurethane injection to level jagged concrete without replacement. However, Polyurethane foam injection is the most effective and eco-friendly solution.

So why is polyurethane concrete leveling an excellent alternative for the environment? Let’s dive in.

Injecting polyurethane foam to level a concrete slab is beneficial to the environment in various ways. Here are some of the aspects that make the process environmental-friendly:

  • It is non-toxic

People who live in houses leveled using polyurethane enjoy numerous health benefits due to the safety of materials used in the process. Toxic substances such as carcinogens cause difficulties in breathing and also increase the risk of getting cancer. The non-toxicity of our polyurethane material results in a healthier home environment through better indoor air quality.

  • It Protects the Surrounding Areas

This process of concrete repair allows for greater control which protects the surrounding areas from damage. The procedure uses some physical materials and methods in a way that allows for minimal use of the elements without compromising on quality. The process also generates as minimum waste as possible.

  • Material Efficiency

Concrete leveling achieves material efficiency through reusing and recycling various products that are long-lasting in a way that allows for minimal use of materials. The holes drilled are small and few. This aspect results in a cleaner-looking task. Additionally, fewer heavy machines are needed meaning a cleaner job site.

  • The Materials Used Are Inert

After mixing the components, polyurethane forms an outer coat that encloses the process of reaction – and this makes it wholly inert. The material does not have any environmental restrictions.

  • Less Noise

The equipment used to undertake this process is mounted permanently on trailers and trucks, and most of the noise they generate gets restrained in the components. The sound produced by the injecting gun to infuse the material beneath the concrete is also very minimal.

Polyurethane concrete services involve chemical reactions with the soil beneath. This stabilizes the soil in the ground, protecting the soil from erosion and sinking.

  • Availability of Material

Most polyurethane manufacturers use recycled materials to make the foam. That is excellent since it lowers the amount of carbon used to make the stuff.

Use HMI Polyurethane Foam to Raise Sunken and Bent Concrete Within Minutes

There are various reasons why you should consider using HMI polyurethane foam. But the primary reason is that HMI foam is created from more than 40% recycled elements. That is somewhat remarkable considering that no other polyurethane material in the market comes with such a small amount of carbon.

At Foamworks, our company cares about the environment by using the leading innovations in the world and services. To us “Green” is an active strategy towards coming up with a positive impact on people’s lives and the environment. Because of our green practices, we have saved countless concrete slabs from being taken to the dump.

While several concrete leveling companies do not provide polyurethane foam injection as a repair service, Foamworks only uses it. Polyurethane injection was traditionally reserved for complex industrial and commercial roles, but Foamworks makes the process accessible to homeowners or industrial facilities. Our method is economical, practical, clean, and quick. For most individuals, the HMI polyurethane injection process will surely offer longer-lasting results than the old mudjacking method.

If you are tired of seeing a sunken concrete patio, pool, sidewalk, driveway, or foundation, our HMI polyurethane foam is the masterpiece for you.

level

Lifting Concrete Slabs with Polyurethane

Concrete repair services specializing in lifting and leveling slabs have been around since the 1930s. There has been and still is high demand for this service. The newer method of accomplishing this with polyurethane foam can lead to healthy profits.

One contributor to the high demand is the Americans with Disabilities Act. This law mandates the repair of trip hazards from sunken or heaved concrete in public areas. With literally billions of square feet of concrete in the U.S., many of the slabs are old and out of alignment, pitched incorrectly, and in desperate need of repair. Whether it is governmental, commercial, or residential, customers are looking for a cost-effective solution to this problem.

Concrete repair options

The first question is always, replace or repair? Concrete replacement is expensive. It is simple math. Concrete contractors must make up to three trips to a location to replace a simple slab of concrete with removal, framing, pouring, removal of forming material, and cutting of joints. Add to this the ever-growing problem of environmental constraints on concrete disposal and the replacement cost of a simple 10×10-foot driveway or pool deck can be upwards of $1,000.

Repair of misaligned slab panels has historically been achieved by mudjacking or slab jacking. This is the process of injecting a mud/slurry mix under concrete slabs with a specialized hydraulically powered mud pump to lift the concrete. Contractors drill 1 5/8-inch hole in slabs and inject the slurry under the slab, building up enough pressure to lift the concrete. This technique allows contractors to lift, pitch, or level any unrestrained slabs.

A new game

A newer way to lift, level, and stabilize concrete slabs, which has been used for over a decade now, is replacing the mud with polyurethane foam. With this technique contractors inject the polyurethane foam under the concrete slab. The expansion of the foam is what lifts or moves the slab.

Specialized polyurethane foams have been designed that have optimal expansion characteristics, set up speed, and adhesion to provide contractors with ideal control of the lifting process. Unlike mudjacking, the technician drills fewer smaller (5/8-inch) holes, leaving a cleaner-looking job than with mudjacking.