Deciding Whether to Repair or Replace Concrete
When you’re trying to decide whether to repair or entirely replace your concrete, a few things need to be considered. First, what’s the current condition of the concrete in question? If it’s just sinking, or even has some large cracks running through the slabs, concrete leveling services may be perfect for your Houston home. However, if the concrete has lots of cracks and fissures or if the surface is pitted and flaking, you may need to look into replacement. You’ll also want to consider your budget. Concrete repair is typically much more affordable than a full replacement since there’s no cost for removing the old material. Finally, consider your needs. Because concrete gets stronger as it gets older, repairing and lifting concrete slabs around your Houston residence or commercial building is a great option. If they’re in decent shape, you’ll likely have a better outcome from repairing old, strong concrete than pouring fresh concrete, waiting for it to cure, and hoping the damage won’t repeat itself.
Lift Sinking Concrete in Houston
There are plenty of options for concrete lifting in Houston. One of the common methods we see is mudjacking. While this process has been around for decades it’s no longer the best solution for lifting settled concrete. Our PolyLEVEL system uses a process very similar to mudjacking, but it uses a different substance to achieve a longer-lasting solution. PolyLEVEL is the answer to some of the common problems associated with mudjacking, which include:
Substance Breakdown
The material used in mudjacking is not waterproof and therefore not ideal for concrete leveling in Houston. Because the soil in our area will hold water after a rainfall, the slurry of concrete, dirt, and water used in mudjacking can become compromised over time.
Weight
As you can imagine, a mixture of dirt, water, and concrete is very heavy. The weight of the original concrete plus the additional weight of the mudjacking material can cause the supporting soils below your slab to compact down even further, and you’ll end up dealing with the same settlement issues later on.
Surface Damage
In order to pump the thick mudjacking substance below the slab, a contractor would have to drill lots of holes throughout the slab, each between 1 and 2 inches in diameter. These holes will still be noticeable even after they’re patched, and they can actually damage the structural integrity of your slab even further!
PolyLEVEL is a lightweight solution that’s entirely waterproof. Plus, the holes we drill to inject PolyLEVEL are much smaller than those used for mudjacking. Learn more about the differences between these two processes and why PolyLEVEL is the best solution for concrete lifting in Houston here.