The Hidden Danger Beneath Cracked Concrete

Voids, Settlement, and the Power of Polyurethane Foam Slabjacking

Cracks and gaps in concrete can be more than just cosmetic issues. They often indicate a deeper problem lurking beneath the surface: voids. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or property manager, understanding the likelihood of voids under your concrete and how polyurethane foam slabjacking can solve this issue is crucial to maintaining safety and structural integrity.

Identifying the Likelihood of Voids

When concrete starts to crack, separate at the seams, or develop gaps between slabs or to a foundation wall, it’s a sign that something is amiss below the surface. Voids can form for various reasons:

1. Soil Settlement: Over time, the soil underneath your concrete can settle or shift due to factors like erosion, moisture changes, or poor compaction during construction. This settling creates voids that can cause your concrete to crack or sink.
2. Water Erosion: Water infiltration can wash away the supporting soil beneath your concrete, creating voids. This is particularly common in areas with heavy rainfall or poor drainage.
3. Tree Roots: Tree roots can exert tremendous pressure on the soil, displacing it and causing voids beneath nearby concrete surfaces.

The Dangers of Concrete Voids 

Voids under concrete pose several risks:

1. Trip Hazards: Uneven concrete surfaces can become trip hazards, leading to accidents and potential injuries.
2. Structural Instability: As voids expand, they can compromise the stability of the concrete, leading to further cracking and settlement.
3. Costly Repairs: Ignoring voids can result in more extensive damage over time, leading to costly and invasive repairs. Oftentimes total removal and replacement of the concrete.

The Solution: Polyurethane Foam Slabjacking

Slabjacking is a highly effective solution for filling voids under concrete and preventing further settling. At 1-866-SLABJACK, here’s how the polyurethane slabjacking process works:

1. Inspection: We provide free on site inspections and will send out one of our skilled team members to assess the condition of your concrete and determine the extent of the voids.
2. Drilling Holes: Small ⅜” holes are drilled into the affected area to access the voids beneath the surface.
3. Foam Injection: A high strength, commercial grade, rapid setting, specially formulated polyurethane foam is injected through the holes into the voids. This expanding foam fills the empty spaces, stabilizing the soil and lifting the concrete back to its original position.
4. Patching and Cleanup: After the voids are filled, the holes are patched, and any excess foam is cleaned up.

Benefits of Slabjacking for Void Repair

Using polyurethane foam slabjacking to address voids under your concrete offers numerous benefits:

1. Cost-Efficiency: Slabjacking is typically more cost-effective than concrete replacement, saving you money while providing a long-lasting solution. We’ve found it can be half the cost or less when compared to replacement.
2. Minimal Disruption: The process is relatively quick and causes minimal disruption to your property, whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or property manager. Our team is in an out typically within a single day, we can complete the work outside of normal business hours, and you can walk across the repaired concrete immediately!
3. Prevent Future Settling: By stabilizing the concrete and filling the voids, polyurethane foam slabjacking helps prevent future settlement, extending the life of your concrete surfaces.
4. Safety: Eliminating trip hazards and restoring the structural integrity of your concrete enhances safety for everyone on your property.
5. Environmental Benefits: Polyurethane foam slabjacking is an environmentally friendly option, as it reuses existing concrete and reduces waste. We’ve saved over 55 million pounds of concrete since 2006 from going to the landfill.

If you’ve noticed cracks, gaps, or settlement in your concrete, it’s essential to consider the likelihood of voids beneath the surface. Ignoring these issues can lead to more significant problems and costly repairs down the road. Polyurethane foam slabjacking is a reliable and cost-effective solution to fill voids, stabilize your concrete, and prevent future settling. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or property manager, don’t let voids undermine the safety and integrity of your concrete surfaces – address them with the power of polyurethane foam slabjacking.