Why is Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Better Than Mudjacking?
Sunken and settled concrete is a hassle for home and business owners. From potential safety hazards and decreased curb appeal to worrying about the cost of concrete replacement, it can cause some serious headaches. If you've noticed symptoms like gaps under your steps, patio or driveway, uneven floors in your warehouse or cracks in your parking lot, you have probably already started looking for ways to fix them. When repairing sunken and settled concrete slabs in The Maritimes, you have a few options. You can replace the slab, but that is expensive and time-consuming. Concrete lifting and levelling is a much better option for home and business owners looking for a way to repair their existing slabs instead of replacing them. There are two main concrete lifting methods, polyurethane concrete lifting and mudjacking. But which one is better? The concrete experts at Maritime Concrete Lifting are here to tell you! We specialize in polyurethane concrete lifting, which is the best concrete lifting method available. It is much cheaper than replacement and outperforms mudjacking in every way. So, why is polyurethane concrete lifting better than mudjacking? Keep reading to find out!
Polyurethane Concrete Lifting VS. Mudjacking
Polyurethane concrete lifting and mudjacking have many similarities but also many differences. Mudjacking is the more traditional method of lifting and levelling settled concrete. While it can effectively lift and level sunken and settled concrete slabs, it is more of a temporary repair method. Polyurethane concrete lifting (aka slab jacking or foam jacking) is a relatively new concrete lifting method and is the best alternative to mudjacking. Polyurethane foam concrete levelling takes the idea of mudjacking but improves on and surpasses it. Polyurethane concrete lifting offers many benefits compared to mudjacking. Let us tell you what they are!
Polyurethane Foam is Resistant to the Elements
Environmental issues like soil erosion, the freeze/thaw cycle and water from heavy rain and snow melt can have devastating effects on concrete slabs. Polyurethane foam is unaffected by these issues. It is hydrophobic, so it will not deteriorate if there is excess water in the area it is applied. It is also unaffected by erosion and the freeze/thaw cycle. It will not shift or degrade when exposed to extreme temperatures, wind or UV rays. Mudjacking will shift and erode over time, and it doesn't offer any water resistance that will help protect your concrete slabs. The slurry used in mudjacking will be affected by the same issues that caused the slab to settle in the first place. This will result in further sinking and settling and could lead to the slab needing to be replaced. This is not an issue with polyurethane foam and is just one of the reasons polyurethane concrete lifting is superior to mudjacking.
Polyurethane Foam is Lightweight
Polyurethane foam is an extremely lightweight material. This might not sound beneficial for lifting and supporting concrete slabs, but it is. Mudjacking slurry is very heavy. Mudjacking contractors use a mixture of sand, soil and concrete that weighs up to 50 times more than polyurethane foam. Because of this mixture's weight and composition, mudjacking tends to be only a temporary solution for sunken and settled concrete. Issues like erosion, heavy snow melt, or rainfall can cause the mudjacking slurry to wash away and leave the slab unsupported. Even though polyurethane foam is extremely lightweight, once it sets, it becomes very strong and will prevent further sinking and settling.
Polyurethane Foam is Long Lasting and Durable
One of the best benefits of polyurethane foam is how long-lasting and durable it is. Polyurethane foam is incredibly strong; it can support up to 4,000 pounds per square foot! This makes polyurethane concrete lifting the strongest concrete lifting and levelling method available! Polyurethane foam is so strong that it is frequently used to lift entire commercial and industrial buildings, roadways, highways and other large structures. Polyurethane concrete lifting is generally a permanent repair option, saving you money on future repair costs. Mudjacking doesn't last. You may get a couple of years of level concrete out of it, but the work will need to be redone eventually. Polyurethane foam lasts lifetimes, which is another reason it is far better than mudjacking.
Polyurethane Foam is Environmentally Friendly
Many people have concerns about the environmental impacts of polyurethane products. The polyurethane foam we use will not negatively impact the environment! Our polyurethane foam is made of up to 40% recycled materials and doesn't contain any harmful materials or toxic chemicals that will seep into the soil or groundwater surrounding the slab. Mudjacking is also environmentally friendly, but polyurethane foam is stronger, will last longer, and will prevent further concrete settlement. Polyurethane foam concrete lifting is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to lift your sunken and settled concrete slabs back to their original position.
Polyurethane Foam is a Certified Material
At Maritime Concrete Lifting, we use certified HMI products. HMI is the leading supplier of polyurethane foam products and materials for concrete lifting and levelling. Polyurethane foam has a shelf life, so the products are made to order to ensure quality and freshness. HMI's polyurethane foam is manufactured in the USA using the best practices. Maritime Concrete Lifting is an HMI-certified company. Our team has been trained in the best application practices, and you can trust us with all your concrete lifting and levelling projects!
Maritime Concrete Lifting Can Help You Lift Sunken Slabs in Atlantic Canada
As you can see, polyurethane concrete lifting is the best alternative to mudjacking. While mudjacking does have some benefits, it is only a temporary fix. If you want long-lasting results with the added benefit of sustainability, then polyurethane concrete lifting is the method for you. At Maritime Concrete Lifting, we have years of experience in the concrete industry. We offer concrete lifting solutions to residential and commerical customers throughout Atlantic Canada! If you have sunken and settled concrete slabs on your property, contact us today! We'll get them lifted in no time!