How Long Does Polylifting Last?

When it comes to any type of repair, most people want to know if the fix is going to last or are they going to have to repeat the process again in a short amount of time. Making sure a repair job is effective and long-lasting is one of the first things you want to look into when considering a solution. This applies to concrete lifting, too. Why would you waste the time and money to lift your concrete if it is just going to sink again? That’s why our Polylifting process is designed to last.

The lifting solution should last just as long as the concrete surface. The trick is to not only lift the sunken concrete, but to remedy the cause of the sinking.

What’s Going On Under The Concrete With Polylifting?

You can patch a crack or lift a concrete slab a thousand times, but if you don’t take care of the cause of the problem, you’re just going to keep repeating yourself, while throwing money out the window. The majority of the time, the soil underneath the slab is either weak or missing. The polyurethane foam that we inject under the slab expands, filling the void, compressing the weak soil, and sealing the bottom of the slab against water and moisture.

By keeping the soil stable and strong, the concrete won’t move or sink. It takes an expert to find the right locations to inject the polyurethane foam, in addition to the right amount. If the holes aren’t placed in the correct location, the polyfoam won’t fill in the correct spots under the slab and the polylifting won’t be as effective. 

There are several reasons why the soil under a slab can fail. If it wasn’t properly compressed during construction, it will settle from the weight of the slab and traffic above it. If there is a drainage problem, the soil can erode or wash away, leaving a void underneath the slab. Earth is strong, but if it is weakened or absent, it won’t be able to do the job. The polyurethane foam can compress the soil, making it supportive of the slab. The foam can also expand, filling in the empty space where the soil left. Once the foam hardens, it is stronger than the soil and water resistant, so it won’t wash away while also holding up the concrete slab.

You Can Help Yourself

There are a few things you can do around your property to help keep your concrete slab stable and undamaged. These solutions are relatively easy and inexpensive (especially when compared to repairing or replacing a concrete slab). 

• Check that your downspouts are draining at least 5 feet away from the slab. This seems to be a common problem. People are pretty good about making sure that the drains empty away from their foundations, but don’t think about sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
• Keep gutters in good condition. If the gutters are clogged or damaged, the water running off of the roof isn’t going to drain properly. Replacing gutters can be a hassle, but it will protect your home or business, along with the surrounding property.
• If there isn’t backfill around the edge of the concrete slabs, you may want to add it. This will keep the water draining away from the slab, in addition to preventing animals from burrowing underneath the concrete. 
• Reapply caulk or other sealants to the joint between concrete slabs. This will prevent water from entering from above in addition to protecting any rebar that may be connecting the two slabs.

If you help protect your concrete, the polylifting will last longer, providing you years of concrete support. We’ve had projects that moved less than a fraction of an inch over a decade and have also been called in to fix another contractor’s work less than a month after they completed the project. It almost always comes down to drainage around the impacted area. Take the time and effort to be proactive and you will have a much better success rate.

Choose Airlift to give your concrete a lift

Contact us to learn more about lifting your damaged concrete slab and keeping your property safe and stable. We look forward to raising your concrete and giving you some peace of mind.