Innovative Solution: Exploring Foam Injection Concrete Leveling

As concrete maintenance continues to evolve, foam injection concrete leveling has emerged as a transformative technology. It offers efficient solutions for uneven or sunken surfaces. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the concept of foam injection, its operational mechanisms, associated costs, and the optimal scenarios where it proves to be an invaluable remedy.

What is Foam Injection Concrete Leveling?

Foam injection concrete leveling is a groundbreaking method designed to rectify uneven or sunken concrete surfaces. This advanced technique involves injecting liquid foam through small 3/8” holes strategically placed on the concrete’s surface.

By employing controlled pressures and temperatures, the liquid foam gradually solidifies, filling voids beneath the slab. The expanding foam gently elevates the sunken concrete to the desired level, ensuring a gradual and precise lift that results in an even and restored surface.

How Does Foam Injection Concrete Leveling Work?

The process begins with the careful selection of injection points on the affected concrete. Liquid foam, under specific pressures and temperatures, is then introduced through these holes. As the foam interacts and solidifies, it effectively fills voids and spaces underneath the sunken slab.

This controlled expansion of the foam serves to raise the slab gradually and evenly, producing a level surface that can be used immediately after the procedure.

Benefits of foam injection:

In foam injection concrete leveling the injected foam boasts remarkable properties. Despite its light weight of 2 lbs/cubic feet, it exhibits exceptional strength. In fact, it can support a load of up to 7200 pounds per cubic foot, making it a remarkably robust choice for concrete leveling.

Cost Considerations

One of the most appealing aspects of foam injection is its cost-effectiveness. On average, the cost of this method is significantly lower, approximately 30-40%, than the expense associated with completely replacing the concrete. This economic advantage makes foam injection leveling an attractive option for individuals seeking efficient yet budget-friendly solutions for concrete repair and restoration.

Optimal Uses for Foam Injection:

Foam injection concrete leveling excels in situations where uneven surfaces pose challenges but full-scale concrete replacement is unnecessary. Notable applications include:

• Settled Driveway Slabs: Sunken driveway slabs can result in water pooling and visual discrepancies. Foam injection leveling swiftly addresses these concerns, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
• Uneven Walkways: Sidewalks and walkways that have settled or developed unevenness due to ground shifts can be effectively restored to a safe and even condition through foam injection leveling.
• Dropped Steps and Porches: Sunken steps or porches can pose safety hazards. Foam injection leveling promptly eliminates these risks, ensuring safety and practicality.

Conclusion:

Foam injection stands as a revolutionary solution for rectifying sunken or uneven concrete surfaces. Its innovative approach, efficient process, and cost-effectiveness make it an ideal choice for individuals seeking practical and economical methods to restore the integrity of their concrete spaces.

With versatile applications encompassing driveways, walkways, and steps, this advanced technique underscores the potential of efficient and affordable concrete repair solutions.

Concrete Settlement : What causes concrete to settle

Concrete slabs, driveways, walkways usually are poured on a subbase consisting of ground and sand, even if it is compacted well, throughout time, water seeps from surroundings, green area, or though aged, broken sealants in expansion joints.

Seeping water from joints and surroundings green and will by time, wash the sand in the subbase area and eventually the ground will shift down and create voids and hallow areas under the heavy concrete slab. 

Concrete in general is strong under pressure and not tension when we have voids under a flat concrete slab and dynamic movement (car driving on top of it). Almost like a long, thick piece of glass laying flat and applying presence in a certain area the glass will break right away. 

Typical, smart solution to fix settled concrete 

As we stated in our previous articles about the causes of concrete settlement and the voids build up underneath 

 In the article, we will explain why foam injection is the best solution to bring concrete back to its original solution. 

Unfortunately, my costumers will think immediately of replacing settled concrete which is high in cost and the broken removed concrete is not environment friendly and will obstruct access to the garage for days. 

At almost ¼ pf the cost foam injection can solve the problem in 1/10 of the time. When the foam is injected, it spreads in 3 dimensions to fill all the voids and the pushes. The concrete is up to its original states as per sketch one. 

Mudjacking vs Polyurethane Foam in concrete settlement repair

Foam weights about 2 ½ lbs./ cab feet.

While mud (liquid concrete weighs about 150 lb./ cubic foot. 

If we are solving the problem of settled soil the more weight (mud) the more it will settle, beside (mud) will dissolve with time and push the soil underneath down more. 

The foam is very strong and very lightweight. Polyurethane provides a compression strength of about 100 psi, so Polyurethane Foam Concrete Lifting is the best choice.

Why concrete settling?

Concrete slabs, driveways, and walkways usually are poured on a sub-base consisting of gravels and sands, even if it is compacted well, throughout time, water seeps from surrounding green areas or through aged broken sealants in expansion joints.

Seeping water from joints and surroundings green areas will, over time, wash the sand in the sub-base area, and eventually the gravel will shift down and create voids and hollow areas under the heavy concrete slab. 

Concrete in general is strong under pressure and not tension

when we have voids under a flat concrete slab and dynamic movement (car driving on top of it). Almost like a long, thick piece of glass laying flat and applying pressure in a certain area the glass will break right away.