To understand how long a polyjack job will last, first we have to understand a couple of things:
- What caused the concrete to sink or crack?
- How durable is the polyurethane foam?
What causes concrete to sink or crack?
The two most common reasons we see concrete sinking and cracking is due to poor soil compaction at the time of concrete placement, and erosion from running water. It is important to remember this after your concrete has been polyjacked.
Think of your sidewalk in the front of your house, or your back patio at the back door. Both of these areas are close up to your house, and see a lot of water shed from the roof of your house. One or two of these areas may also have downspouts that shed water right onto your concrete. Remember that water erosion of the soil beneath concrete is one of the main reasons that concrete sinks, so redirecting this water run off away from your concrete will help your polyjack job last for years.
After downspouts are redirected away from concrete slabs, think about soil compaction. If the soil around your concrete areas is maintained at a slope away from the pad, and properly compacted, it will help prevent rainwater from getting beneath your concrete. After your polyjack job is complete, simply add soil to the areas around your concrete and tamp the soil to make sure it is not loose and easily eroded. This allows water to naturally run downhill away from the slab of concrete. These two steps could be the difference between a polyjack job lasting one summer, or a polyjack job lasting 20 years!
How durable is the polyurethane foam?
The polyurethane foam injected beneath your concrete is made to last years in many different conditions. The foam does not absorb water, therefore making it last through years of freeze-thaw conditions. The foam will also not erode like loose soil over years of rainfall. The foam will also not degrade from fungus or microbial attacks that could take place between the concrete and ground. Not all polyurethane material is the same. There are different strengths and grades of polyurethane, so make sure you ask your contractor about the technical data of the polyurethane they will be using.
Knowing the durability of your polyurethane foam, and these couple of tips to keep water out from under your concrete, your polyjack job should be able to last for years with a little maintenance.
As always, reach out to your local concrete leveling contractor if you ever have any questions about how to make sure your polyjack job
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