Sunken or uneven concrete can create trip hazards, drainage problems, and an unattractive appearance around your property. At Sealtite Insulation & Slabjacking, our experienced installers use polyurethane foam to lift and stabilize concrete without the expense and disruption of complete replacement. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate and learn whether polyurethane concrete lifting is right for your property.
How Does Polyurethane Foam Lift Sunken Concrete?
When our installation crew arrives, they begin by identifying the areas that need to be lifted. Small holes—approximately ⅜ inch in diameter—are carefully drilled into the concrete, usually about two to three feet apart.
A metal injection port is placed into each hole and connected to our specialized equipment. The polyurethane material consists of two separate liquids that combine as they are injected underneath the slab. Once the materials meet, they react and rapidly expand into a strong foam.
Because the expanding foam is confined beneath the concrete, it fills empty spaces, compacts loose soil, and gently pushes the slab upward. Our installers carefully monitor the concrete throughout the process, controlling the amount of material used to help return the slab to the desired position.
Once the concrete has been lifted and stabilized, our crew removes the injection ports then patch the small holes. This leaves the area with a clean, finished appearance and very little evidence that repairs were performed.
How Long Does the Concrete-Lifting Process Take?
Most residential concrete-lifting projects take approximately half a day to one full day to complete. The exact length of time depends on several factors, including:
- The size of the repair area
- The number of concrete slabs involved
- How far the concrete needs to be lifted
Polyurethane foam lifting is generally much faster and less disruptive than tearing out and replacing the existing concrete. In many cases, our installers can complete one or two projects in a single day while leaving very little mess behind.
How Soon Can You Use the Repaired Concrete?
The polyurethane foam expands and hardens quickly, so the lifting portion of the repair is immediate. If we were only lifting the concrete, the repaired surface could typically support normal use right away.
However, our repair process also includes sealing cracks with caulk when appropriate. This helps prevent water from reaching the soil underneath the slab and causing additional erosion or washout. Because the sealant needs time to cure, we generally recommend waiting 24 hours before using the repaired area.
Following this waiting period helps protect the completed repair and allows the sealing materials to set properly.
Why We Seal the Cracks
Lifting the concrete addresses the uneven surface, but controlling water is also an important part of protecting the repair. Water that enters through cracks or gaps can wash away or weaken the supporting soil beneath the slab.
Sealing accessible cracks helps reduce water infiltration and lowers the risk of future soil erosion. Property owners can further protect their concrete by maintaining proper drainage, keeping gutters clear, extending downspouts away from concrete surfaces, and addressing pooling water around the property.
What Types of Concrete Can Be Lifted?
Polyurethane foam can be used to repair many common concrete surfaces, including:
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Patios
- Pool decks
- Front porches and steps
- Garage approaches
- Commercial walkways
- Warehouse and parking-lot slabs
Every project is different, which is why our representative will inspect the affected area, take measurements, and determine whether the concrete is in suitable condition to be lifted.
A Faster Alternative to Concrete Replacement
When concrete is still structurally sound, lifting it with polyurethane foam may be a practical alternative to replacement. The process requires only a few small injection holes, produces minimal disruption, and can often be completed within a single day.
At Sealtite Slabjacking, we stand behind our concrete-lifting work with a lifetime warranty. If you have a sunken driveway, sidewalk, patio, pool deck, or another uneven concrete surface, contact our team today to request your free estimate. We’ll inspect the area and recommend the best solution for your property.