Why PolyLevel might be the right solution for your sinking concrete?

You’ve seen it before. An uneven concrete panel in your walkway or driveway. Maybe even some separation between your wall and floor. You justify it by thinking” It’s not hurting anything.” Well here’s the bad news, the longer you wait, the more it’ll hurt your wallet. 

In this article we will go over in detail about our polylevel product including the features and cost among other things. By the end I hope you will gain a better understanding about poly level and if this is the right solution for you and your uneven concrete. So what is Polylevel?

Polyurethanes are best known to the public in the form of flexible foams, like upholstery cushions, mattresses, caulking, etc. Spray foam insulation and foam filler within shells of watercraft are other examples most similar to the line of PolyLevel products.

PolyLevel expanding foams are most often used beneath concrete sidewalk and pavement for stabilization or releveling, but are also utilized for interior work and other specialty applications. PolyLevel foam is often considered as an alternative to mudjacking or removal and replacement. Settlement of residential slabs is typically the result of consolidation of poorly compacted fill soils around foundations and within utility trenches, softening of weak native soils and fill due to increases in moisture content, and erosion or washout conditions resulting from poor drainage. PolyLevel allows for undersealing of the area, minimizing the likelihood of any further washout and acting to again provide uniform support to the bridged concrete. When slabs have settled, with or without the presence of voids, foam can be injected to create lift without adding significant weight to the underlying soil.

Features:

Lifting takes place as a result of a controlled chemical reaction under the slab, compared to mudjacking which relies on hydraulic pressure being contained under the slab. When mudjacking slurry “blows out”, additional lift is not possible. PolyLevel injection allows for a controlled lift that can be accurately monitored with survey equipment, string lines, or other measuring equipment. PolyLevel foam is a closed-cell polyurethane which exhibits minimal long-term water absorption, will not wash out from under the slab, and is not damaged by freeze/thaw cycles. In addition, PolyLevel foam is a hydrophobic system capable of reacting in the presence of water, allowing it to be used to underseal slabs and mitigate a variety of water intrusion issues even when free water is present. PolyLevel soil stabilizer is a hydrophilic system that will actually use moisture in the soils to assist in its chemical reaction, but remains waterproof once fully cured. The control joints found in a concrete driveway become protected from further damage. PolyLevel foam restores concrete that may otherwise need to be removed and replaced. Cured foam will not degrade under the slab nor leach chemicals into the soil or groundwater. PolyLevel installation equipment allows placement in tight and limited access areas. There is less mess than mudjacking and smaller holes required for installation.

Cost 

Like any home project that requires repair, you don’t feel like you need it until you do. In the long run it becomes more costly the longer you wait. The earlier the problem is fixed, the cheaper it will be. For the repair of a driveway, you’re looking at similar costs to replace your AC unit on the low end. Costs for driveway as well as in your home, you’re looking at anywhere between 3-10 thousand. This all depends on the level of damage, the square footage, and amount of materials needed. 

Installation process:

When our crew arrives, the first step will be to set up. Polylevel foam has to be primed before injection. This will include making sure the consistency is right so prior tests will be done to make sure it's ready for injecting under your home. A team member will drill penny sized holes in various parts of the slab in order to fill all voids. In general, the holes are spaced 5 feet apart and 3 feet from the edges of the slab. Locations and spacing are often modified in the field to achieve the desired result. PolyLevel foam is injected to fill voids and allow for
lifting. Lift may be monitored with survey equipment or string lines The injection ports are removed and the holes are patched with mortar mix, silicone joint sealant, or epoxy sealant. Its that easy. 

Timeline:

These repairs can often be completed in a matter of hours with immediate results, less mess, and no “wait time” for typical, continued use of the areas. When the work is done, all the concrete sections will still match and not take on the appearance of a checkerboard, as is the case with typical removal and replacement. Fast Cure Time – PolyLevel foam cures quickly to typically allow treated areas to be reopened for use immediately after holes are patched. Cure time depends upon the placed thickness of the material, however, It is generally considered to be 90 percent cured within 30 minutes. Using the PolyLevel foam solution will dramatically decrease lane downtime and inconvenience to commuters on roadway projects.

Who it’s for/not for:

PolyLevel foam is used to stabilize, lift, and relevel sidewalks, patios, driveways, garage slabs, and slab-on-grade concrete floors. Concrete decks surrounding swimming pools can also settle over time due to localized erosion of subgrade soils or consolidation of poorly compacted fill and backfill. If any of this matches your home’s features, then Polylevel would be a great fit for you.  
Commercial/industrial applications include similar types of projects as residential, but also include areas and facilities with heavier use pavements. Heavy wheel loads from semi-trucks and from fork trucks can overstress subgrade soils and lead to pavement/slab cracking, settlement, and faulted sections. Settled slab-on-grade office and retail space are generally ideal candidates for stabilization or re leveling with PolyLevel. 

Conclusion

Now that you have an understanding of polylevel and its application, how can it benefit you? Are you facing uneven concrete problems? Driveway or sidewalk became slanted? Don’t let this become a further issue. A cleaner solution to mudjacking, and better for the environment are always a win win.