Without expert concrete experience, a customer may not completely understand when to repair vs. replace their concrete. This article will explore some tips on when to seek professional services on both options. We will evaluate many reasons why concrete cracks, sinks, and crumbles. Below are a few reasons why this deterioration is more prevalent in Kansas City than other geographic locations.
- Freeze/thaw weather cycles can cause cracking concrete to worsen. Because Kansas City winter can span from October to March or later, this weather fluctuation is a large portion of the year.
- Snowy and icy weather results in the need of ice melt, which causes cracking and damage to concrete.
- Concrete expands in the heat and contracts in the cold. This again is not ideal for Kansas City, as the weather can change in the matter of minutes.
- Poor installation of the original concrete can result in the need for concrete lifting, or polyjacking.
- Poor soil conditions will result in natural concrete sinking.
Let’s explore the first option: Repairing Your Concrete
The first option – polyjacking – is a less invasive process that offers immediate results. The use of polyjacking is the most effective and efficient method of lifting sunken concrete around your property by drilling tiny holes (5/8″) and filling them with polyurethane. This will lift the concrete back to a normal level. The process is quick, easy, and effective – all within a couple of hours. Why would someone want to repair concrete areas around your residential or commercial property? Here are some reasons our customers around the Kansas City area have repaired their concrete with polyjacking:
- Safety – Trip hazards can harm you, your family and allows your property to be open for unwanted liability. One of the most common reasons for ER visits is falling around your property. This can be an extremely costly and dangerous hazard.
- Cost – You can raise your concrete for less than half the price of replacing the concrete slab. At the end of the day, we all have budgets to adhere to, so price is a deciding factor when it comes to home or business repairs.
- Time – Your slab problem will only worsen in time. Fix it now and avoid the hassle later. Raising concrete with poly foam often takes a couple of hours and is ready immediately upon completion. Repairing it now will reduce the longer term price tag of replacement.
- Appearance – Eye sores and additional structural cracks can be the result of uneven concrete.
- Home Value – Trying to sell your home? First appearance is everything to a home buyer. Aesthetics are key when selling your home, so sinking concrete is not an appealing factor to sell your home.
- Structural Damage – When a concrete slab settles, consequently doors and windows stick and structures connected to the slab may crack and settle as well.
- Water Damage – Water follows the path of least resistance and a settled or sunken driveway may end up costing a homeowner more money over time in foundation repairs.
Second Option: Replacing Your Concrete
Simply put… sometimes the polyjacking method just doesn’t work, especially when the damage is just too much. When this occurs, a solution that can be offered is replacing concrete, known as new flatwork. There are several reasons when replacing concrete is the optimal solution, including:
- when the cracks are too large and deep, this brings in water for the freeze/thaw cycle and causes expansion
- Typically the rule of thumb is if the concrete is sinking more than 8″, it is more cost effective to replace
- the concrete issues can simply be more expensive for repair, so opting for replacement is more cost effective
New concrete can be a great solution for the following applications:
- Large Residential Projects
- Commercial Projects
- Footings
- Walls for Additions
- Stamped – Color Options
- Patios
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Commercial Slabs
- Parking Lots
- Basement Slabs
One key to understanding when to replace vs. repair is having a knowledgeable company to walk you through the process. Many companies around the Kansas City area are equipped to handle new concrete projects, but not all are setup to offer the thorough knowledge needed for their customers. At PolyMagic, we are proud of the customer service and attention that we offer our customers, and based upon our Google Reviews, customers appreciate the level of knowledge as well. We walk each customer through the process so everyone is on the same page and expectations are met. If you’re ready to have an expert take a look at your problem concrete areas, give us a call at 816-765-4800 or complete your quoter form online and we’ll reach out – https://polymagic.net/request-a-quote/