Polyurethane Foam VS. Mudjacking

Today we are starting a series entitled “Why Foam?”.  In this series we will address some common questions and comments we receive regarding our process and our products.  The process of utilizing polyurethane resins to stabilize soil,  fill voids, lift concrete, and seal leaks is not new, but we find it is not used as often as it should be. If you are like us, after reading this series you may ask yourself “Why not?”  Our goal is to educate and inform on the many uses and benefits of polyurethane resins as well as demonstrate that, when utilized correctly, this “foam” is a no brainer.

Part 1 of this series will focus on one of the most common questions we receive regarding settled concrete slab lifting:  How does lifting settled slabs with polyurethane compare to mudjacking (concrete grouting)?

The three main benefits we will cover here are: less stress, less mess, and minimal downtime.

Less Stress

A settled concrete slab is typically a result of weak soil.  When weak soil is present, we clearly need to be aware of the amount stress on that area.  Our structural lifting polyurethane has a density between 3 lbs. and 5 lbs per cubic foot.  The alternative cement grouting material weighs in at approximately 140lbs. for the same volume, or put another way, over 30 times the weight of structural lifting polyurethane resins.

Less Mess

Due to the low viscosity of polyurethane resins, this lifting process can be performed with much smaller holes.  Our lifting foam is injected through a ½” hole over the problem area of a slab.  Typically, mudjacking must utilize an injection point between one and two and a half inches.  Our lifting technology uses two components of polyurethane resin which are mixed through the injection gun just before they enter the injection port.  This means we are able to save and store any unused material which leads to less waste disposal and less clean up.

Minimal Downtime

We understand that time is money and convenience is important.  Our lifting resins are 90% cured within 15 minutes and fully cured in less than 24 hours.  Areas treated using polyurethane lifting techniques are ready for normal traffic by the time the lifting unit leaves the site.  According to industry standards, cement grout can take several days before an area is cured for normal traffic use.  On larger projects where a slab requires multi-point lifting, the fast cure time of polyurethane resins will allow us to work around your operations and ensure minimal downtime to keep your process time efficient.

Whether a bustling, commercial warehouse or the driveway leading to your home, polyurethane concrete lifting techniques require minimal interruption to your daily routine, ensure an aesthetically pleasing work area, and mitigate the stress load on your weak soil.

Be on the lookout for Part 2 of this series where we discuss the structural strength of polyurethane resins.