When homeowners or business owners begin to notice cracking, uneven, or crumbling concrete around their residential or commercial property, the uneasiness and frustration begins to build. How much will this cost? Is this ‘bad’ enough to repair? Are the repairs too bad and require concrete replacement? What if someone trips on this… am I liable? The questions can go on and on. As a leading Kansas City concrete repair company, we’ve created a list of 4 Commonly Asked Questions When It Comes to Concrete Leveling to help you understand the process and ease your anxiety. Let’s get started. 

Question 1: How can I tell if polyjacking/mudjacking will help with my concrete issues? 

Many homeowners notice the cracking, uneven, or shift in concrete when the issues are already pretty serious. You may trip on an uneven area or fall over crumbling concrete pieces to bring attention to your concrete problems. By this time… you need polyfoam (also called polyjacking, concrete lifting, polylifting, mudjacking) services. Unlike traditional mudjacking, polyjacking is a method that drills tiny holes (5/8″) and injects polyurethane foam into the drilled holes. As the foam expands, the concrete rises evenly, bringing the surface back to a safe and level area. The process can be seen in this video, which is a time-lapse of a recent project that PolyMagic completed for a Kansas City homeowner. Check out the before, during, and after results in this 0:39 video. 

Another element of knowing when polyjacking/mudjacking is appropriate is having a concrete expert assess your situation and offer the most viable solution to your needs. Some concrete companies will automatically suggest new concrete because that is the more expensive service for them. There is a lot of information out there on when to repair vs. replace your existing concrete, but we have found this article to be the most insightful and informative on this topic:  Should I repair or replace my concrete?

The second question of 4 Commonly Asked Questions When It Comes to Concrete Leveling is How Long Does the Process Take? 

Polylifting is a much quicker, effective, and cleaner service than the traditional mudjacking or replacement. When a crew comes out to begin the work, the entire process only requires a few hours of total work time (depending on the size of the repair area of course) and allows immediate return to service. You will not have to wait for the concrete to cure, dry, or any time-intensive process that accompanies new concrete pours. You can essentially have your driveway raised back to a safe and even level in the time it takes you to catch up an episode of your latest Netflix series. Not all companies offer free estimates, but PolyMagic Kansas City does. We are located in Grandview, MO and service the following KC areas with our concrete lifting and poly foam services: 

Olathe, KS
Lenexa, KS
Overland Park, KS
Johnson County, KS
Mission, KS
Kansas City, KS
Liberty, MO
Clay County, MO
North KC
Brookside, MO
Kansas City, MO
Independence, MO
Blue Springs, MO
Oak Grove, MO
Grain Valley, MO
Lee’s Summit, MO
Belton, MO
Raymore, MO
Grandview, MO

RELATED: Kansas City Metro Map 

Question #3: Won’t Concrete Replacement Last Longer than Polyjacking? 

The answer may seem to be an obvious yes, of course replacement will last longer than polyjacking, but that is not the case. Polyjacking/slabjacking repairs can last longer than concrete replacement in most causes because the actual problem is being identified when polyjacking is done. Some of those problems include: 

• Soil being washed away
• Poor soil composition
  • In Kansas and Missouri, we have clay soil, which is the perfect recipe for causing concrete sinking if not properly managed. Clay soil holds onto water and is slow to dry out, which is a constant cycle with all four seasons in the Midwest. You have the freeze/thaw cycle; summer droughts; Fall and Spring rains; and of course the flooding that can accompany that. 
• Faulty/Poor Construction
  • As The Concrete Hero puts it, Just like a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link, concrete is only as good as the base it was built on. This is a great analogy… if the home’s base/foundation didn’t have the proper compaction or materials, the concrete won’t have a solid and even base to adhere to. 

If you reach out to several concrete repair companies, make sure you ask questions about how your specific situation will benefit from polylifting compared to concrete replacement. Companies who jump on replacement should trigger a red flag because most concrete (if not in horrible shape) is repairable. In addition, polyjacking will solve the root of the problem, and allow for a safer and longer-term solution. 

Question #4: How much will this cost me? 

Each situation is different. Obviously the cost to lift a driveway will differ from the cost to lift a sidewalk. It is important to know and trust the company you begin working with, because you need to rely on them for a solution that will solve your concrete issues while not costing you an arm and a leg to repair. Typically the cost to repair vs. replace concrete is 50% less. For many Kansas City homeowners and business owners, the estimate seems low, but comparing the price to concrete replacement, polyjacking is much more affordable. However, the reasons for a lower price for concrete repairs can be attributed to the following: 

Job equipment 

With polylifting, many companies can fit all of the equipment inside of a sprinter van or similar. The entirety of a project can be completed by one person, so your overhead (salary, equipment, etc.) is a much lesser expense compared to replacement. 

New concrete pours require a much more extensive set-up, including the equipment, multiple employees, concrete truck, and project logistics which requires more set-up, tear-down, and curing/drying time. Don’t forget a concrete company just doesn’t show up and begin… the area must be broken up, hauled away, marked off, and equipment set up. 

Timeline/Schedules 

The understanding that a concrete lifting company could complete two jobs a day, the more jobs they can handle…. and also the more competitive their pricing must be. If you did a simple google search of Kansas City concrete repair companies, you should find over 50 companies, however only a handful of those companies offer the professionalism, warranty, experience, and services you deserve. 

As a homeowner, your biggest asset is your home. You need to protect your asset, and of course offer a safe environment, which includes even and stable concrete areas. We hope you found the 4 Commonly Asked Questions When It Comes to Concrete Leveling helpful as you understand the process and determine if it is the best fit for your needs. If you’re in the Kansas City area, PolyMagic would be happy to provide a free estimate. Click here to begin!