An Overview of the Spray Foam Concrete Lifting Process

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An Overview of the Spray Foam Concrete Lifting Process

Dec 13, 2022

Concrete slabs are used throughout residential properties to provide stability and security. They’re commonly used to line basements, garden pathways, and driveways. We utilize concrete slabs in those applications because they are incredibly durable. Other materials struggle to provide the stability that concrete does.

That said, even those concrete slabs will succumb to wear and tear. Repairing them will likely become a necessity at some point. Concrete lifting is one method homeowners can use to administer those necessary repairs. Let’s take a look at some of the key questions surrounding concrete lifting.

What Is the Concrete Lifting Process?

A concrete slab that starts to sink well below its original installation point can cause all kinds of problems. For starters, a sunken concrete bed can make your floors uneven and dangerous. It can also disrupt your exterior design. Your car may become more susceptible to accidental damage if the level of your driveway shifts due to a sunken concrete bed.

This issue can also affect home value. If you're planning to sell your property, raising the sunken concrete beds first is often recommended. Pouring more concrete can resolve that problem, but it's also costly and labor-intensive. If you want a faster and more economical solution, you should consider concrete lifting.

Concrete lifting is a process that involves injecting material underneath the concrete to lift the slab. Different materials can be injected underneath the concrete. Spray polyurethane foam is one example and the one we’ll be focusing on in this article.

Why Should Polyurethane Foam Be Used for Concrete Lifting?

As previously mentioned, different materials can be used to lift concrete. Let's go over some of the key benefits provided by polyurethane concrete lifting in this section of the article.

Budget Friendliness

Lifting concrete using polyurethane is more cost-efficient for two reasons. First, the material itself is inexpensive. Companies won't charge you a fortune for it. On top of that, the process of lifting concrete using spray polyurethane foam is relatively light in terms of labor. You don't need to bring in numerous workers to get the job done and that can save you money.

Quick Project Completion Time

According to the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, the concrete lifting process that involves polyurethane foam takes around one to two hours. Note that we're not just talking about the process itself. Since polyurethane foam cures in minutes, the area you inject with it will be usable again without much delay. If you're looking to repair a spot that gets plenty of foot traffic, using polyurethane foam is highly recommended.

Durability

The durability of polyurethane spray foam is another reason why it should be used for these projects. Polyurethane foam does a great job of holding water at bay. Its structural integrity won't be compromised simply because it has been exposed to moisture. This material will also plug gaps well. It reinforces concrete to keep it stable.

What Happens During the Concrete Lifting Process?

The concrete lifting process that involves polyurethane spray foam is relatively straightforward. It starts with the workers inspecting your concrete slab. During the inspection, they’ll check out the condition of the slab and identify any spots where the polyurethane foam should be injected.

Next, holes that measure five-eighths of an inch will be drilled into the strategic spots located during the inspection. The workers will then slide a long hose into one of the holes. After that, the other end is connected to the injection gun. The injection gun will then be activated.

You should see the concrete slab start to move up merely seconds after the polyurethane foam is injected. To even out the height of the concrete slab, the polyurethane foam will be injected into the other holes, too.

Once the concrete reaches the desired height, the polyurethane foam will be allowed to cure. The workers will follow up by patching the holes in the concrete until they’re barely noticeable. To finish up, they’ll clean their work area and gather all their tools. Before they leave, be sure to ask when the concrete slab can bear weight again so you don't accidentally disrupt their work.

Concrete lifting using spray polyurethane provides homeowners with an easy way to repair their sunken pathways and basements. Reach out to Lone Star Urethane today if you need concrete lifting to address your home's existing issues. We look forward to working with you.

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