Soil Stabilization with Polyurethane Foam

In order to have a strong and stable structure, you need to have strong and stable soil. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, that is not always the case. That is where soil stabilization comes in. You need a method that can compact and strengthen the soil without tearing up the building or concrete slab on top of it. In these cases, soil stabilization using polyurethane foam may be the solution you are looking for.

What is Soil Stabilization?

Soil stabilization is a process of strengthening weak soils in order to make them able to support the structures that are built, or are to be built, on top of them. This can be done in a range of ways, including chemically or mechanically.

Mechanical soil stabilization usually involves large machinery compacting soil. Obviously, this is problematic if something is built on top of it.

That is where our expanding polyurethane foam comes into play. It compacts the soil from below ground. As it expands, along with filling all of the voids in the soil it pushes the loose soil outward, exerting a force that compacts it while lifting the slab or building.

What Causes Unstable Soil?

Soil can become unstable due to a variety of natural occurrences.

  • Erosion
  • Freeze-thaw cycles
  • Decomposition

It could also be that the soil wasn’t properly compacted before construction commenced, leading to settling problems down the road.

Unstable Soil Causes Structural Damage

A gap is shown between a wall and the floor

Unstable soil can be dangerous because it allows the concrete above it to settle, sink, and potentially crack. Sealing cracks and performing other DIY concrete repairs may help your issues cosmetically, but they will only come back over time (and maybe even worse) if you don’t fix the root of the problem. If you have structural issues above-ground, it’s important to take care of the main issue below the ground first.

If the soil underneath your structure is unstable, you may have noticed the following problems:

Whether you are concerned about your personal residence, place of business, or a municipal structure such as bridges, roads or highways, Airlift Concrete Experts can assess the situation and provide you with a custom quote to stabilize the soil conditions with our deep injections of polyurethane foam.

Benefits of Using Polyurethane Foam for Soil Stabilization

Polyurethane foam is a fantastic solution for stabilizing soil underneath any structure. It is quick to install and more affordable than other techniques. It also is environmentally friendly and has no chemicals that will harm the environment because the foam will not break down in the presence of other chemicals or water.

Most beneficial of all, deep polyurethane foam injections are a permanent solution to stabilize soil. Once performed, it will never have to be done again.

Polyurethane foam has been proven to decrease the permeability of the soil while increasing its load-bearing capacity. This will allow it to be able to support structures for a lifetime!

How Do Polyurethane Injections Stabilize Soil?

When we mechanically inject the two-part polyurethane mixture into the soil — utilizing carefully calibrated injection equipment — it begins a chemical reaction. Underneath the concrete, the two elements mix to create an expanding foam.

The foam fills all voids in the surrounding soil and stabilizes loose and non-compacted soil while expanding to create the lift. What remains, when the process is done by a qualified installer such as Airlift Concrete Experts, is properly compacted soil without the voids or loose soil that can spark uneven settlement and wreak havoc on the structures above them.

Where Can Polyurethane Foam Be Applied?

Injecting polyurethane foam for soil stabilization can help maintain structural integrity.

Here are some of the places that we can apply our polyurethane solutions to in Arkansas:

Airlift Concrete Experts Offer Soil Stabilization

If you are located in Arkansas, call Airlift Concrete Experts for an inspection and estimate for soil stabilization with polyurethane foam. We are based out of Malvern, AR, but serve the entire state, including Little Rock, Conway, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Benton, and other cities.

Our company has many years of experience working with polyurethane solutions and can provide you with the best service in the state. Contact us today to get started with your free consultation.

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