Among the reasons so many property owners choose concrete as a surfacing material is that it is durable and long-lasting. The material is also susceptible to wear and tear, just like any other construction material.
The sunken concrete problem is one of the most common problems faced by homeowners. A sinking concrete slab can cause a number of problems including structural damage, trip hazards, and ugly cracks.
Therefore, it is imperative to hire polyurethane concrete lifting services at the earliest possible opportunity. Professional concrete stabilization enhances the appearance of your property and prevents tripping accidents.
This brings us to the crucial question: how much does polyurethane concrete lifting cost? Is this concrete leveling process effective? Here are some estimates and answers to these questions.
A pound of polyurethane foam can cost $6 to $7, on average, for lifting concrete. The minimum starting price for concrete lifting companies can be anywhere from $400 to $1,500 depending on the area, season, and how busy the area is.
How Much Does Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Cost?
If you compare polyurethane concrete lifting to tearing out your old concrete and replacing it, you can save 75 percent. According to Home Advisor, it can cost $6 to $25 per square foot, but the final cost depends on factors like:
Location Of The Concrete Slab
It is also important to consider the location of the concrete slab when calculating the cost of polyurethane foam lifting.
You can expect to pay more for concrete slabs that are hard to reach or require special equipment or permits to access.
Nearby Drainage Issues
It is possible for drainage problems to cause soil erosion over time, causing concrete to sink as a result.
Having your slab lifted without identifying and addressing any nearby issues will only cause you to have to enlist concrete leveling services repeatedly.
Access To The Work Area
Projects involving concrete lifting can be simplified and cheaper if conducted in easy-to-access locations.
Similarly, same-size projects in hard-to-reach locations can be challenging for repairers, because they cannot access the concrete slabs to be raised, thus increasing labor and time costs.
Size And Depth Of The Concrete Slab
In order to determine the cost of polyurethane foam lifting, the size and depth of the concrete slab must be considered.
Foam and time are required to lift and level larger and deeper concrete slabs. The cost of concrete slabs that are larger and deeper will therefore be higher.
The Void Or Gap To Be Filled
It is generally believed that higher slabs will need more polyfoam to fill in bigger gaps or voids. Material and labor costs increase as elevation increases.
Type Of Polyurethane Foam Used
It also affects the cost of the service and what type of polyurethane foam is used for lifting.
There may be a cost difference between high-quality and durable foam and lower-quality foam. The use of high-quality foam, however, ensures long-lasting and durable repairs.
Condition Of The Concrete Slab
Polyurethane foam lifting costs are also affected by the condition of the concrete slab. There may be a need to add additional material to the foam injection if the concrete slab has significant damage, cracks, or erosion.
The cost of replacing an entire slab may be higher if the concrete slab has significant structural damage.
What Is Polyurethane Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting, also referred to as poly jacking, involves creating high-density, geo-technical expanding foam that lifts and stabilizes concrete using a specialized solution.
Because the injection holes on the existing concrete slab are smaller and fewer with polyurethane concrete lifting, it is preferred by many property owners.
Polyurethane foam fills voids effectively and does not easily degrade, as opposed to sand or slurry used in other lifting methods. Concrete lifting with polyurethane foam can be used on:
- Patios
- Pool decks
- Driveways
- Garage floors
- Home foundations
- Sidewalks
How Does Concrete Lifting Work?
Polyurethane foam lifts concrete faster, more easily, and less invasive than traditional concrete replacement and mud jacking.
Concrete slabs and subgrade are drilled using penny-sized holes. The injection gun is connected to the delivery port by inserting a tapered delivery port into the holes.
Polymer lifting solutions are delivered to voids beneath slabs using these devices. To ensure accuracy, technicians use incremental injections.
As polyurethane foam cures, it compacts loose soil, forms a solid foundation for your concrete, and raises slabs back to level.
It is then time to remove the pumps, to fill in the holes with grout or concrete, and to clean up the work area.
Lifting concrete with polyurethane foam has the advantage of curing within minutes.
As a result, you can immediately use your sunken concrete driveway or walkway once it has been stabilized.
Reasons to Use Polyurethane Concrete Lifting
There are several reasons why polyurethane foam is one of the best concrete lifting solutions.
It Helps Prevent Erosion
The inert and waterproof nature of polyurethane foam means it will remain in place even if it comes into contact with water.
As a result, your concrete surfaces will be protected from erosion, as well as from water seepage on the bottom of the foundation.
It Uses Lightweight Foam
Is concrete lifting effective in stabilizing concrete? Polyurethane concrete lifting won’t cause your slabs to sink again, so if you’re considering it, you can rest assured. Approximately 2 to 4 pounds of foam per cubic foot compacts the soil supporting your concrete.
Compared to mudjacking slurry, which typically weighs around 100 pounds per cubic foot, that’s far lighter. When the soil beneath slabs can’t support the load, traditional mudjacking causes them to sink further.
It’s Non-Invasive and Non-Disruptive
The foam only needs to be pumped under your concrete driveway or patio with holes the size of a dime. As a result, your driveway and yard will be protected from heavy equipment and noisy machinery.
The polyjacking process requires little equipment and little set-up time, so it does not disrupt your daily routine or schedule.
It Offers a Permanent Solution
The soil supporting concrete slabs is compressed with polyurethane concrete lifting. Rather than simply lifting the slabs, this method fixes the root cause of sunken concrete, resulting in a more permanent solution than traditional leveling.
It Can Be Done Within an Hour
It only takes 15 minutes for polyurethane foam injected below your slab to cure or harden. As a result, you’ll be able to use your concrete surfaces in no time at all after the whole project is finished within an hour.
A freshly poured concrete slab or mudjacking slurry will require days to dry, which is far more convenient.
How To Save Money On Your Concrete Raising Work
When it comes to home repair, you get what you pay for. Estimates that are very low should be treated with caution.
Concrete raising contractors with a solid track record, skilled employees, high quality materials, and proper insurance are usually not the cheapest in town.
You can save money by raising and lifting concrete yourself. Working with your neighbors is the easiest way to complete the project. A contractor may offer a group discount if he doesn’t have to travel to the next job.
It may also be a good idea to raise other sunken sections around your house if you only need to raise a small section. In conclusion, you may be able to get a lower rate if you are flexible with the date you need it done.
The Bottom Line
Using polyurethane concrete lifting to fix sunken concrete is an effective, affordable, and time-efficient solution.
In comparison to getting a full concrete replacement, you can save up to 75 percent with this method and start using the repaired area the same day.
It costs around $6 to $7 per pound of polyurethane foam to lift concrete, depending on your location, the gap to be filled, and nearby drainage issues.
To better understand the cost of your concrete lifting project, ask your trusted contractor for a free quote.
