One word that is common throughout the Midwest during the summer months… drought. This summer was especially dry and hot around the Kansas City area and can really impact your home’s concrete areas, including your sidewalks, driveway, porch, patio, and garage. Droughts are something that are unpredictable; unwelcome; and can have devastating economic consequences, especially in the agricultural industry, and they increase the likelihood of fires. Aside from the obvious dangers of a drought on the economy and environment, the lack of rain and extreme temperatures can be damaging to your home’s foundation and concrete health.
As of September 2023, Weather.gov determined “Extreme Drought Lingers Across West Central Missouri.” This can have a direct impact on your home’s concrete and foundation issues. If we look at the clay soil in the Missouri and Kansas areas, we know that clay soils can be difficult to work up and maintain on a good seedbed. Dry clay soil tends to be very hard, and if wet, it can be sticky and difficult to manage.
Missouri– Topsoil moisture was rated was 59% short or very short. Subsoil moisture was rated as 61% short or very short.
Kansas– Topsoil moisture was rated as 72% short or very short. Subsoil moisture was rated as 73% short or very short.
Located in the Kansas City area, PolyMagic has seen an increase in calls from the summer’s droughts, as its impacted concrete around a residential and commercial business. The signs of concrete issues resulting from a drought can include cracking, uneven concrete levels, and even crumbling. Areas that this can impact are your home’s sidewalks, driveways, pool areas, patios, porches, and even the area where the garage meets the driveway. You don’t have to live with uneven concrete. Uneven concrete can have many negative effects, including trip hazards, weakening the concrete integrity, and weakening the soil under the concrete. Have you noticed any new cracks or uneven areas? If so, call us at 816-765-4800 or fill out this brief contact form to get a return call.
PolyMagic’s method for concrete lifting and leveling (polyjacking) is more effective and longer lasting than traditional mudjacking. Another reason why summer droughts can cause concrete cracks is because of the inconsistency of the soil. Polyjacking and soil backfilling can help this situation. Advantages of polyjacking to mudjacking include:
- Cost Effective – Concrete raising is typically about 33% less than replacing the same concrete at your commercial location. Ultimately, the cost of raising or stabilizing concrete is a direct reflection of how much leveling material the project will require. The experienced team at PolyMagic is equipped to offer a free estimate and walk you through each step of the process for the most cost effective solution that fits your needs.
- Time – Polyjacking has very little ‘rest’ time. Your business and commercial area is able to continue operation before, during and after the polyjacking process. Your business will experience little to no down time.
- Clean Work Environment – The polyjacking process does not require a wash down and will not have any concrete or grout splatter. The area is clean and can operate as normal immediately after.
- Smaller Holes – Polyurethane concrete raising drills a nearly invisible 5/8 inch hole and the process calls for considerably fewer holes than traditional mudjacking. The tiny holes require very minimal patchwork.
- Lightweight – This material will never lose density. It is permanent and weighs only about 2 pounds per cubic foot. Compared to traditional mudjacking that weighs about 100 pounds per cubic foot.Check out the below comparison in the amount of product needed for mudjacking vs. polyjacking.
- Green – Polyurethane is environmentally friendly. It consists of 39-49% renewable and recycled materials.
The website droughtmonitor.unl.edu tracks the intensity of the current drought status for each of the states. We pulled the info for Kansas and Missouri, and both are above the normal level of drought. Specifically Missouri is abnormally to severely dry to date in July 2022. As for Kansas, the extreme and exceptional levels were reached, which is very frightening.
Kansas and Missouri both are home to clay soil. Without proper understanding of the soil in your area, a brief overview is the clay can swell and grow as the moisture content increases. But just as it grows when water is abundant, it can shrink when it is scarce. This is imperative to find a foundation repair company that is expert-level when it comes to your home’s geographic soil. As an example, PolyMagic has extensive training in the clay soil that surrounds the homeowners we work with each day.
RELATED: 8 Common Myths of Concrete Repair
SOIL AND DROUGHTS
After several days, and weeks without rain, the clay begins to evaporate causing it to shrink. As the clay shrinks, large cavities or gaps between the ground and a home’s foundation appear. Over time, a foundation can crack as gravity pushes the weight of your home down into the gaps. As we know, “settling” can be a normal occurrence. Drought cracks and cavities happen much quicker, and can be more destructive.
As we continue day after day wishing for a nice rainstorm, we have to be aware that sudden rain can be hard on the soil as well. The clay will quickly absorb the water and swell up in a very short amount of time. The change in drought-like conditions to wetness can worsen or cause additional cracks.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR home’s concrete and foundation
- We’re used to watering our plants, landscaping, etc…. and now add the concrete foundation to that list! Watering around your concrete foundation during the peak of the summer months will help to prevent shrinkage and cracking.
- Do you have a drainage system in place? Waterproofing, french drains, sump pumps, downspouts directing water the right way can all help your foundation.
- Sealed your concrete to keep water from being absorbed into the concrete and weakening it
Does something seem off your concrete and foundation, specifically during the drought? Reach out today for a free estimate.
816-765-4800 or fill out our contact form: https://www.polymagic.net/request-a-quote/