Concrete is one of the most popular building materials because of its long-lasting durability and ease of access. Patios, driveways, parking lots, and commercial flooring are all created with concrete, but are also susceptible to the negatives and damage that concrete is prone to. Cracking and settling are common for all concrete spaces, even if it was properly installed and the soil was stabilized beforehand. When you need polyfoam lifting services, there are a few different steps that need to be followed in order for the service to be successful. Here are the steps you can expect from polyfoam lifting services, no matter how much damage or the type of concrete space they are working with.
Analyzing The Area To Be Lifted
The first step before any lifting can occur is to analyze the area. Assessing the damage and finding the best spot to insert the polyfoam will help ensure a more successful lift. It may be fairly easy to see where the concrete is settling from above; the soil underneath will also need to be analyzed to determine how much foam is needed and if additional soil stabilization is needed to protect the concrete from further damage. Quality polyfoam lifting services begin with proper preparation.
Drilling Into The Concrete
Once the team or concrete lifter is ready to begin, a hole about the size of a dime will be drilled into the concrete. It will be about ⅝ inches deep or until the drill reaches the soil beneath the concrete slab. This gives the polyurethane gun access to the void underneath the patio, sidewalk, or flooring for optimal lifting.
Installing Polyurethane Gun
The next step in polyfoam lifting services is to install the gun that will put out the foam. An injector port and polyurethane gun will be inserted into the drilled hole. The gun will be secured to ensure that the force of the polyfoam doesn’t cause it to move and inject foam in the wrong spot, causing the concrete to become even more unlevel.
Injecting Polyfoam
Once the gun is secured, the real service can begin. Injecting the polyfoam underneath the concrete will be done slowly, allowing the professionals to monitor the progress and watch for one section of the slab to begin to rise and become level with the rest of the concrete. Once the two sections are level, injection of the foam will stop. The gun may sense when the foam has reached its tip, or an operator may control it manually.
As the foam is injected, it expands 30-40 times its original size to help fill in all gaps underneath the slab. Professionals will know how much to inject and when to stop before it comes out the drilled hole.
Removing Gun
The gun and port will then be removed from the hole. The drilled hole will be left behind, but it can be easily covered and blended into the top layer of the concrete.
Covering Drill Hole
While polyfoam injection uses smaller holes than mudjacking, they may still be noticeable by homeowners or workers using the space daily. These dime-sized holes will be filled by the polyfoam team before they count the service as complete. Using concrete, the short holes will be filled until it reaches the polyurethane foam underneath, resulting in a level fill. The new concrete will be blended in with the existing concrete, but may still stand out if your existing concrete is extremely stained or sun-faded.
Enjoying Newly Leveled Concrete
Once the concrete is leveled and the drilled holes are filled, you can enjoy the look and safety of a level concrete space. Lifted concrete can be walked on almost immediately after application, after setting for about 15 minutes. Driving cars or equipment across the concrete will need to wait a little longer, typically 8 hours.
Commercial and residential spaces can both benefit from polyfoam lifting when done correctly. Both areas will experience minimal downtime because of the fast-curing nature of polyfoam, meaning you can operate as normal, begin serving customers, or have guests over to the space sooner than with other repair methods.
Working With PolyFoam Solutions
Our team at PolyFoam Solutions wants to help improve your concrete spaces without breaking the bank. Damaged concrete can disrupt daily operations and have you questioning the aesthetic of your home, but with simple polyfoam injection, we can solve all of these problems.
When you work with PolyFoam Solutions, you will be able to utilize your concrete space again quickly and avoid worry about further concrete damage. Our team is committed to quick and efficient services, whether it is lifting, foundation crack repair, joint sealing, or soil stabilization. Schedule a consult with our team to get started!
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