It’s easy to underestimate the damage that uneven concrete can cause. Think about it… you’re walking along the sidewalk or stepping into your garage with a handful of groceries… you don’t see the lift in concrete, trip and fall. Not only do you risk injury, but you’re putting others that enter your residence in danger as well. The average cost of an emergency room visit in the state of Missouri/Kansas is $1,717 (source: https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-an-er-visit-cost). This expense is simply just getting seen at the eR… no additional services or fees. So, as you can see the average cost of a hospital visit from something as simple and innocent as a fall on your uneven concrete can quickly add up to over $20,000.
It’s important as a homeowner that you eliminate any trip hazards around your home. In addition, the uneven concrete is an eye sore and when it comes to selling your home, can deter any buyer from making an offer. Let’s explore some pro tips: lifting concrete to eliminate trip hazards.
#1: Identify the areas and contact a professional polyjacking company
The areas that typically have uneven concrete appear is on sidewalks, driveways, garage (where the driveway meets the garage approach), porches, patios, and stairs. If you can identify some of the areas that should render a professional opinion, that is helpful for the company to understand the situation. Many local companies, such as PolyMagic, offer free estimates on your uneven concrete areas. PolyMagic is located in Kansas City and services the entire metro area. You should research potential companies to ensure they are licensed, experienced, and responsive. Want a quick response? PolyMagic will answer the phone during business hours and weekends. We will return calls or web forms within 24 hours. (816-765-4800).
#2: Mudjacking vs. Polyjacking as the solution
Polyjacking has many benefits compared to the traditional mudjacking. Polyurethane injections are much lighter than the grout mixture used in mudjacking. Concrete slabs settle due to a void underneath them.
In many cases the soil is still disturbed after the grout mix of mudjacking is inserted between the soil and the concrete slab. The shear weight of the mixture can cause additional settlement. Polyurethane weighs 250 to 300 pounds less per yard then traditional mudjacking material. One may ask… DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO ADD EXTRA WEIGHT TO ALREADY COMPROMISED SOIL? The answer is no… why add extra weight to the soil around the Kansas City area, which is already soil-compacted and heavy?!
Polyurethane is much lighter in weight. The foam can find the smallest of voids to fill them. Since polyjacking is a lighter weight material the soil doesn’t get weighed down by the mixture.
POLY IS MUCH MORE RELIABLE: The extra weight of the mud may cause the soil to settle causing a return trip to readjust the slab.
CURING TIME: Polyurethane typically cures in 15 minutes after the injection. This allows all treated areas to have full availability in minutes, not days.
Check out the differences below…
As we continue to explore the Pro tips: Lifting Concrete to Eliminate Trip Hazards, let’s check out the final tip.
#3: When to Lift Concrete vs. Replace Concrete
Obviously if concrete repair is an option compared to replacement, the overall cost will be less. The tools, manpower, and materials needed for polyjacking and concrete repair are much less expensive and intensive compared to replacement. However, the longer you avoid them, the worse the issues will become. Let’s explore the final pro tip: lifting concrete to eliminate trip hazards to understand when it’s best to repair vs replace the concrete.
One of the first questions to ask is… can the concrete area around your home be lifted? If the concrete in your troublesome area has broken into small three to four square foot pieces, it becomes difficult to control the lifting process. It really comes down to leverage, or lack there of. PolyMagic utilizes a process in which poly is injected through the concrete, then reacts to form a 3-4 foot circular lifting area. Therefore, the technician is forced to inject into the center of the small piece and hope it lifts evenly. PolyMagic has mechanical means that gives us an advantage over other Kansas City concrete lifting companies, with their (two) 15-ft hosts that get to those hard to reach slabs.
The next question to consider is cost… what is the price difference between replacing the concrete and repairing the concrete? One of the main benefits of concrete raising compared to concrete replacement is cost savings. Obviously the ability to repair an existing area is a less expensive option. PolyMagic concrete raising is typically about 33% less than replacing the same concrete. Ultimately, the cost of raising or stabilizing concrete is a direct reflection of how much leveling material the project will require. To replace a concrete slab, you must hire a crew to demolish the slab, remove and discard it, stabilize the foundation below where it used to be, repour and let cure the new cement. This is a much more costly process that requires more manpower, materials, and time. Concrete repair could be the difference between two hours vs. two days. However, as repairing seems to be the best (most affordable solution), you have to consider that some damage is beyond repair, and will need to be replaced.
The third question is… does the concrete pose a safety issue? Is this area a major tripping hazard? If so, you have a liability on or around your property that could cause more serious issues. Within a short amount of time, materials, and expertise, PolyMagic, amongst many other expert concrete raising companies, can ensure your property is safe and secure.
As a leader in concrete raising and leveling in the Kansas City, central Missouri, and NE Kansas areas, the PolyMagic team has over 60 years combined experience within the construction industry. PolyMagic was initially established to address concrete lifting issues within basement floors, and has since expanded to cover problems areas including:
- Basement Floors
- Concrete Steps
- Driveways
- Foundation Slabs
- Garage Floors
- Patios
- Pool Slabs
- Porches
- Sidewalks
- Slab Homes
After reading this article, are you ready for a free estimate? Reach out and we’ll get you scheduled! 816-765-4800 or fill out the online form here!