Have you ever noticed uneven concrete slabs or cracks forming in your driveway, porch, or garage floor and assumed that replacing the entire slab is the only solution? Many homeowners face this issue and immediately think of replacement, but what they don’t realize is how expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive it can be. That’s why we always recommend polyjacking as a better solution. Polyjacking is better than concrete replacement because it costs less, takes less time, and preserves the integrity of your property without major disruption.
Understanding Polyjacking vs. Concrete Replacement
What is Polyjacking?
Polyjacking is a process where we inject polyurethane foam beneath sunken or uneven concrete. This foam expands, lifting the concrete slab back to its original level. We drill small 5/16-inch holes in the concrete—similar in size to the holes drilled for termite treatments—pump the foam through a hose, and patch the holes once the lifting is complete. Compared to concrete replacement, polyjacking is minimally invasive, with no heavy machinery or extensive damage to your property.
What Happens During Concrete Replacement?
When you opt for concrete replacement, a lot more goes into the process. We have to bring in skid steers and heavy equipment to cut, remove, and haul away the old concrete. Once the new concrete is poured, you’re left waiting six to eight months for your yard to recover and grass to grow back. This added time and labor make replacement a costly and disruptive option.
Key Benefits of Polyjacking
1. Cost-Effective Solution
One of the primary reasons polyjacking is better than concrete replacement is the cost difference. Polyjacking typically costs a few hundred dollars less than replacement. While replacement may cost upwards of $8,000 for a garage floor, polyjacking can fix the same issue for around $1,500, giving you another 10 years of life out of your concrete.
Additionally, the cost of polyjacking is based on the amount of product used. If the concrete has only sunk a couple of inches, polyjacking is a much more economical option than replacement.
2. Faster Completion Time
Concrete replacement can take several days or even weeks to complete, especially when factoring in drying and curing time. With polyjacking, we can finish the job in a matter of hours. You can walk or drive on the repaired surface the same day, making it a far more convenient option.
3. Minimal Disruption to Your Property
Unlike concrete replacement, which involves cutting into the ground and using heavy machinery, polyjacking is a clean process. We simply run a hose across the driveway, drill small holes, and inject the foam. There’s no damage to your yard, trees, or landscaping, meaning your property remains intact.
Concrete replacement often results in significant damage to the surrounding landscape, requiring months of recovery time for the grass and yard to return to their original condition. This additional disruption is something many homeowners prefer to avoid.
When Replacement Might Be Necessary
While we believe polyjacking is better than concrete replacement in most cases, there are instances where replacement might be the better option:
- Severe Structural Damage: If a driveway or porch has sunk significantly near the structure of your house, and the void underneath is too large, replacement might be necessary.
- Front Porches with Cantilever Designs: Front porches often sit on cantilevers, meaning they don’t have full support underneath. In such cases, using piers along with polyjacking might be necessary to avoid over-lifting and damaging the porch.
- Extensive Cracking: Polyjacking repairs the sinking or unevenness of concrete but doesn’t eliminate existing cracks. If aesthetics are a major concern, replacement might be the better route.
In some cases, patios and front porches may require both piers and polyjacking to ensure stability. However, if the porch has pulled too far from the main structure, complete replacement may be necessary to avoid over-lifting and causing further damage.
How the Polyjacking Process Works
- Assessment: We start by assessing the extent of the sinking or unevenness.
- Drilling: We drill small 5/16-inch holes into the affected concrete.
- Foam Injection: Polyurethane foam is injected beneath the slab through the drilled holes. The foam expands, lifting the slab.
- Finishing: Once the slab is level, we patch the holes and clean up the site.
This entire process is quick, efficient, and leaves minimal mess behind.
Polyjacking for Specific Structures
Driveways
Sinking driveways near garage doors can lead to water pooling and further damage. Polyjacking can quickly lift the driveway slab without cutting into the surrounding area.
If the sinking is too severe or near the garage structure, additional work may be required to ensure long-term stability.
Garage Floors
Garage floors that have sunken by a couple of inches are perfect candidates for polyjacking. Spending $1,500 on polyjacking instead of $8,000 on replacement can save you significant money while extending the life of your floor.
However, if there are large voids beneath the slab and no signs of resistance after injecting significant amounts of foam, we may recommend replacement to ensure complete stability.
Patios and Porches
For patios and porches pulling away from the house, polyjacking combined with piers might be necessary. This approach fills the void without risking over-lifting, which could cause further structural issues.
In cases where patios have cantilevered sections, polyjacking alone may not provide sufficient support. We assess each situation carefully to recommend the best solution.
In Summary
When you need a solution for sinking or uneven concrete, polyjacking is better than concrete replacement in most cases. It’s cost-effective, less disruptive, and much faster. While there are scenarios where replacement might be necessary, we can help you determine the best solution for your specific situation.
If you’re facing issues with sinking concrete, contact us today. We’ll assess your property and recommend the most effective approach, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.
