Noticing a problem with your basement floor is incredibly stressful because it often signals an issue with the foundation as a whole, which could lead to leaking and other issues. The good news is you can frequently repair an unlevel basement slab floor through a process called concrete lifting.
Homeowners will be happy to know that concrete lifting is a quick and easy process that provides a permanent and durable repair, and if you can get to it early enough, you can prevent the floor from cracking under pressure as well. This guide will explain how concrete lifting works and examine its benefits.
What Is Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting is essentially a custom repair solution that involves injecting a material beneath your basement floor to lift sagging spots and level them. It’s also possible to have concrete on your patio or paths lifted if you notice part of them sinking.
The process is also known as mud jacking, slab jacking, or poly jacking, often depending on the material injected, and it saves you from having to repour the entire slab for your basement floor. It’s well worth considering this option because it turns a significant repair job into a quick and easy one.
How Concrete Lifting Works
Concrete lifting sounds like a major job that might require machinery to lift the concrete physically. This description isn’t how it works, though; a polyurethane foam or a concrete slurry mixture does all the work. Your contractor will usually handle this repair job in four easy steps.
Drill Some Holes
The concrete lifting process begins with your contractor drilling holes in your basement floor. These holes are the size of a penny and ensure the injections get to the right spot under your floor to handle the repair.
Install Injection Ports
You wouldn’t want to pump the polyurethane foam or other material into the holes without an injection port because they wouldn’t target the right area. The contractor will quickly install small pieces that will direct the foam where it needs to go, ensuring they complete the repair correctly.
Inject the Foam or Cement
Next comes the polyurethane foam or slurry injection. The worker uses a specialized tool to pump the material into the holes to lift the concrete. The foam method is particularly advantageous because it reacts quickly, allowing the contractor to lift the concrete accurately or make adjustments until the basement floor is completely level.
Patch the Holes
Your contractor will patch the holes once the process is complete and will likely use caulking to do so. The spots are barely noticeable after this patching, so your basement floor should look as good as new.
The polyurethane foam your contractor might use can support weight in about 15 minutes, so this process is incredibly fast. It’s also waterproof, giving you one less thing to worry about in the future.
6 Benefits of Concrete Lifting Repairs
There are numerous benefits associated with concrete lifting repairs in your home. Learning why so many homeowners are now choosing this option instead of repouring the slab could help you make your final decision.
1. Fast
Concrete lifting is far quicker than pouring a completely new slab. The repair process takes hours, and you won’t have to demolish your old floor to go with this option. The result is a solution that won’t leave you with a multiweek renovation in your basement.
2. Costs Less
The time-saving benefits of concrete lifting also ensure it costs less. The material and labor costs are both far less than replacing the entire floor, so you stand to save a significant amount of money when choosing this solution.
3. Invisible Repairs
You’ll barely notice the repairs once your contractor completes the job. Pouring a fresh slab might be less noticeable, at least on the surface, but the problem is the new slab will stand out compared to the other concrete in your basement because of its newness. A concrete lifting repair blends in, which might be better for the room’s aesthetics.
4. No Heavy Equipment
Having heavy equipment around your home is never fun, but it’s essential when pouring concrete. Large trucks and mixers always come with repouring a slab, but they aren’t necessary with concrete lifting. You’ll generally only have a contractor or two at your house for a concrete lifting repair, and no heavy machinery is needed.
5. Less Damage
There’s always the chance of damage occurring in your home when repouring concrete. The large equipment necessary for this job is challenging to move inside a home, and it could cause issues throughout the repair. The trucks are also more likely to damage the outside of your home.
6. Outstanding Support
It’s worth noting that both the concrete slurry and polyurethane foam provide tremendous support for your basement floors. The material will solidify in your foundation, and you won’t notice the difference between it and the old concrete after completing the repair.
The cost and time savings of these repairs make concrete lifting well worth your consideration if you notice your basement floors are unlevel. Getting to the job early can prevent cracking in these floors, which can save you even more time and money in the future.
Contact an Expert for Your Concrete Lifting Job
Seeing a section of your basement floor sinking can be incredibly stress-inducing, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. The good news is that concrete lifting can spare you the expense and headache of a major renovation job. You’ll want to speak with a contractor about the repair options possible in your situation.
LUX Foundation Solutions offers foundation repair services in the Northern & Central Florida areas. Our team can examine your unlevel basement floor and make recommendations based on the damage and the solution that will work best in your home. Contact our team to get started on your foundation repair needs today.
