Many of the applications of our product revolve around adding a protective layer over the top of an existing surface. From utilizing IXS Coatings on fire trucks to protect against corrosion to adding a layer of polyurea coatings to warehouse floors to prevent erosion, a lot of what we do is focused on covering a surface with an impenetrable coating.
However, while the focus of our polyurea coatings is usually on protection, there is another unique use that our products are geared toward. Our polyurethane foam spray can actually be used to lift concrete slabs. For more on how this works, why it is even necessary, and the benefits of our spray foam over other traditional methods, check out the info below. Reach out anytime to learn more about how you can utilize IXS Coatings spray foam for lifting a troublesome concrete slab.
Why Concrete Slabs Need To Be Lifted
First, let’s talk about why you need to lift a concrete slab in the first place. After all, concrete is usually poured as a foundational component of a build and is generally left alone once set. However, just because concrete is a solid material and designed to hold up under a variety of circumstances, doesn’t mean it is immune to damages and issues.
Over time, as the ground beneath your concrete slab settles, it might not do so evenly. This can put a large amount of pressure on specific areas of the slab. With the passage of time, this can lead to cracks and an uneven settling of the slab. This can obviously cause serious issues, which is why it is necessary to even back out the concrete slab and seal up forming cracks.
Other common causes of concrete slab issues that require a lift include the following:
- Tree root invasion: If tree roots begin to spread under a concrete slab, they can lead to cracks and erosion of the concrete.
- Water erosion: In areas prone to flooding, water erosion can eat away at both the concrete slab itself and the ground it rests on.
- Poor soil stability: In some cases, a concrete slab was poured over ground that is comprised of an unstable soil type. This soil sinks and compacts at uneven and varying rates, leading to a misshapen slab.
- Earthquakes: From small tremors to bigger quakes, when the earth itself shifts and shakes, it can cause concrete slabs to be left cracked and sinking.
No matter what is causing your concrete slab to shift, crack, or sink, it is vital to address the issue early on. The longer a concrete slab is left in a poor state, the more damage that will occur. Water will be able to penetrate exposed cracks and lead to further erosion.
How Traditional Methods Work
Historically, when a concrete slab begins to sink or show signs of uneven settling, a method called mudjacking was employed. This method involves injecting a concrete slurry into the ground beneath the concrete slab. It utilizes a high amount of pressure to try to fill the area beneath the slab and restabilize the concrete.
While this method has been implemented for many years with varying degrees of success, it is no longer the only option for sinking slabs. This is where our polyurethane foam spray can come into play.
The Benefits Of Our Polyurethane Foam Spray
One of the newer and better methods on the market for lifting a sinking concrete slab is the utilization of a polyurethane concrete lifting foam. This foam is injected into the area and as the foam compresses and fills the area it effectively and gently lifts the slab. The foam not only lifts the slab, but also ensures future stability by creating a barrier of protection against the shifting ground.
If you are considering the pros and cons of mudjacking versus polyurethane foam spray, think through some of the following factors which determine whether or not polyurethane foam is a better alternative for your needs:
- The Type Of Soil: If unstable soil was the reason your concrete slab sunk or shifted in the first place, polyurethane foam is an ideal solution. Traditional mudjacking does not hold up well over time if the soil contains a loamy substrate. The foam will be able to properly stabilize even the worst soil types.
- Injection Holes: When it comes to mudjacking, the injection hole utilized needs to be fairly large, often upwards of 3 inches. Conversely, for those who wish to see less impact, spray foam only needs a small hole, around 1 inch or less in diameter.
- Material Use: While many imagine mudjacking as a cheaper alternative, it really depends on the existing soil in your location. Mudjacking often requires an overuse of materials due to the way it compresses the soil. Polyurethane foam, conversely, compresses at a consistent rate and does not waste any material in the process.
CONTACT US TODAY
Interested in utilizing spray polyurethane foam to lift a damaged or sinking concrete slab? We can help. At IXS Coatings, we are a member of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), and we provide an environmentally safe polyurethane concrete lifting foam that has been carefully engineered to withstand even the harshest of conditions. Whether you opt to stabilize a new slab at the time of initial construction or you need to lift an old slab, we can help. Talk to us today about our unique polyurethane foam solutions.