With age, concrete either settles unevenly or sinks into the ground. The concrete leveling contractors near me need a sure fire way to modify the concrete and stabilize the surface. One of the most traditional ways to repair damaged or old concrete is Mud Jacking, which raises and stabilizes the foundation. However, polyurethane concrete has received a lot of popularity in recent years as an alternative to traditional techniques.
What is Mud Jacking?
It is also known as slab grouting or pressure grouting. In this process of garage floor leveling in Macon, GA, the contractor employs a slurry mix of cement, sand, and other materials to stabilize the slab. They drill cavities into the concrete and insinuate the mix into the foundation. It lifts and levels the concrete to build a stable and even surface.
The mud-jacking technique is used for concrete slabs that have become uneven but are still in good condition.
What is Polyurethane Foam Concrete Raising?
The basic concept of polyurethane foam concrete raising is similar to the traditional mud-jacking basement floor leveling in Macon. However, it uses different materials and tools.
The polyurethane foam technique employs geotechnical expanding and high-density foam to raise and stabilize the concrete. Moreover, the hole drilled for this technique is smaller than the hole injected in the mud-jacking technique. These minute details lead to a vast difference in cost and process.
Traditional Mud Jacking vs. Polyurethane Foam Concrete Raising
The traditional mud jacking and polyurethane foam concrete raising are employed for the same projects. However, the different polyurethane foam and mud jacking slurry properties significantly influence the basement floor leveling in the Macon process.
Each of the techniques mentioned above requires different materials and tools; thus, affecting the labor cost. Moreover, the curing time and weight of the materials influence how the concrete leveling contractors near me create injections and ensure stable and safe results.
- Curing Time
The traditional concrete leveling method takes up to three days to dry, whereas the curing time for the polyurethane is only 15 minutes. Thus, polyurethane foam concrete raising is a reliable and fast technique. This method is mostly employed at the business to minimize construction downtime. Moreover, the efficiency and quality of the foam lifting method are a cost-effective and quick process.
- Weight of the Material
The weight of the material plays a crucial role in the result of the garage floor leveling in Macon, GA. The traditional materials are very heavy and can weigh more than 100 pounds per cubic meter. On the other hand, polyurethane foam is very light and weighs about 4 pounds per cubic meter. Thus, polyurethane foam is a strong yet light material. It further implies that polyurethane foam places less tension on the ground underneath the concrete slab, thus posing less risk to soil damage.
The heavy mud-jacking material may result in the further settling of the ground. Thus, you may need to employ the concrete leveling method again in the future.
- The Appearance of the Injection Site
Although the traditional and polyurethane foam method both require drilling holes in the concrete, the polyurethane technique is more aesthetically pleasing.
The traditional mud jacking requires the drilling of large holes for the slurry to reach the foundation. On the other hand, polyurethane foam requires drilling holes as small as a dime, and material makes the way through it to the foundation.
The big injections let weeds, debris, and other unwanted material build up and ruin the integrity and look of your concrete. The small polyurethane injection is easier to patch and is barely visible at the end of the process.
Initial Cost and Lasting Value
People often chose the traditional mud-jacking method due to its lower initial cost. Although the polyurethane foam concrete method is more expensive than the traditional method, the lasting value is also heavy. Compared to the polyurethane foam rasing method, the traditional method doesn’t last long. Thus, the latter is more economical in the long run.
The Bottom Line
Polyurethane foam concrete raising is one of the most preferred concrete lifting and leveling techniques over traditional methods. It is highly durable, consistent, and efficient. If you are looking for cost-effective, quick, and aesthetically pleasing results, choose the polyurethane foam method. It offers results like none another.