Why Is Polyurethane Foam Better Than Traditional Mudjacking?
There are many benefits to polyurethane foam than mudjacking for lifting and levelling uneven and sunken concrete. They include the following:
- Hole Size: Smaller (5/8” vs 1 5/8” - 2”) and fewer holes - benefits - more appealing and greater structural integrity. Being unsightly is one thing, but these large holes, if placed too frequently and too close together, can cause the concrete sidewalk to crack as well.
- Weight: 2-4 lbs. per cubic ft. vs. 100 lbs. plus per cubic ft. - benefit - The additional weight can cause further settlement so why use a process that potentially adds to the cause of the original problem? **SEE EXAMPLE BELOW**
- Fast curing time: In almost all cases most areas can be used immediately after we finish, while most traditional mud jacking companies will ask that on larger areas, the concrete not be used for 48 - 72 hours. Benefit – minimal inconvenience.
- Material expands filling voids & cracks under slabs: By expanding 20 times its liquid volume, polyurethane foam material moves laterally beneath the concrete, filling voids and cracks as it travels. Additionally, it perfectly contours to the size and shape of the voids to completely support the pavement with 100% coverage. Benefit – Stronger concrete slab.
- Moisture resistant, will not wash out: Polyurethane foam seals the underside of concrete including joints and cracks. Benefit - this greatly eliminates water penetration and erosion issues. Again keeping moisture away from concrete slabs makes a huge difference during freeze thaw cycles.
- Does not shrink over time: - Polyurethane foam does not shrink, period. The benefit - A repair that lasts much longer than traditional mudjacking. When the moisture from traditional mud jacking methods evaporates over time (which it does) more settling can take place and more sinking is the result.
- Increases concrete slab’s ability to bear weight: - An additional benefit during the lifting process is the compaction of base soils through the resistance of lifting the concrete structure. The material bleeds into the subbase and binds soil particles together, strengthening the base material
- Material is consistent in quality: All of our foams are manufactured in a factory controlled setting. Benefit – Simply put, equal lifting and support throughout the entire lifted slab, no inconsistencies due to material variances.
- Clean Work Environment / Less Invasive: Eco’s equipment stays on the street. Benefits - We can work in smaller places, no heavy equipment on your property or landscaping, and no need to remove any fences to work in your rear yard. Also there is no water/mud mess to clean up.
- 30 - 40% of the jobs we do are mudjacking do-overs: If the process of repairing your concrete had a 30 - 40% chance of failing, would you choose another method? We’re not saying that the people who own these companies or the people who perform the work using traditional mud jacking are bad. And we’re not saying that it happens all the time. We’re saying we have to come in behind a lot of the mud jacking jobs and fix the sunken concrete again. We feel Eco provides a better, more reliable, less invasive, eco-friendlier and less messy way of raising/ lifting your concrete and it’s with Polyurethane Foam.