How Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Works
It’s not uncommon for all kinds of pavement to settle unevenly at some point. To learn more about how companies address this issue or how your company can add this task to their repertoire, read our brief discussion of how polyurethane concrete lifting works.
What Does Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Fix?
Polyurethane lifting, which fits under the general category of slabjacking, involves inserting high-density foam to lift sinking concrete. Over time, as the ground moves and erodes beneath settled pavement, concrete cracks, moves, and settles. When concrete settles this way, it leads to uneven walking surfaces that increase the risk of passersby falling. Also, when parking lots and driveways settle unevenly, driving a car becomes more difficult, and car damage becomes more likely. Polyurethane lifting addresses these issues without requiring that you replace your pavement.
How It Works
For those interested in how polyurethane lifting works, it’s a relatively simple process. First, this lifting process involves the use of a heavy-duty concrete lifting rig complete with hoses long enough to reach the work area. After this equipment is set up, workers drill a relatively small hole in the concrete and insert an injection port. This allows them to create a secure channel through which they can inject the polyurethane foam. Then they attach the foam gun to the port and, after ensuring that there are no obstacles to the foam, press the trigger for several seconds to release it. The foam rapidly expands upon insertion—you can typically hear it expanding upon injection—and quickly lifts the concrete back into place. When this doesn’t lift the concrete surface evenly, workers restart the process, drilling a hole and injecting polyurethane foam on the section that is still low.
Overall, using polyurethane foam is cost efficient, environmentally friendly, minimally invasive, and provides quick results.
Other Uses
Polyurethane lifting doesn’t just help lift driveway pavement. Companies also use it to fill existing voids beneath concrete that hasn’t settled because of more specialized purposes: for example, to counteract water’s erosive power when beating against seawalls, polyurethane foam can return these walls into place.
