POLY FOAM (PolyFoam) Concrete Lifting

Concrete Poly Leveling foam goes by many names including: Poly Foam, Poly Level Foam, Poly Leveling Foam etc.

Mudjacking Versus Poly Foam Concrete Raising – Fact vs. Fiction

If you came here because you are interested in Poly Foam services to raise your concrete, you came to the right place. With over 40 years experience, the Concrete Chiropractor® is here to help you make the right choice. We spent years researching Poly Leveling and although we could offer it we decided NOT to offer it in our service line up for concrete raising.

While there may be some very limited circumstances where foam may be applied in commercial repair settings, we do not recommend its use in 99% of the applications.

The risk, liability and recyclability issues, along with costs associated with injecting foam, offset any minimal benefit to “you” the customer.

Below are just some of the reasons why we strongly suggest you use a Mudjacking cement grout to raise your concrete, not Poly Foam.

Concrete leveling with the use of poly foam is a newer process that has been added to concrete raising in which a man made, petroleum-based product, chemically known as poly isocyanate is injected through a 5/8” hole. The foam then expands, raising the settled or sinking concrete slab.

This is different than the eighty- plus year old, original process referred to as mudjacking. Mudjacking uses an earth- based material such as sand, clay, or limestone. These natural products are mixed into a Portland cement grout. This grout is then injected through holes drilled through a concrete slab roughly the size of a quarter, or 1”. The concrete patio, pool deck, floor, or sidewalk slab with then float back to it’s original position.

Advantages of Mud-Jacking Grout for Use in Slab Leveling White Paper

Poly leveling foam is marketed based on claims that the product offering several benefits over traditional Mudjacking. These claims have been scientifically studied by civil and environmental engineers.  When the poly foam product claims are evaluated through mathematical and scientific investigation, they not only lack validation, but the product has detrimental health and environmental effects such as flammability, toxicity, and recyclability.  This NJIT study titled “Advantages of Mudjacking Grout for Use in Slab Leveling” explain the benefits and risks associated with the two concrete raising products.

Polyfoam Leveling Versus Mud

The traditional method of concrete repair in NJ and nationwide for sinking concrete with it’s 80 year history it has been the time proven method known as Mudjacking, the only way to raise concrete without the unknown history of Poly leveling, or Polyurethane foam concrete raising and void filling.

Here at Concrete Chiropractor we are experienced specialists, and one of the original companies in the field of mudjacking and slabjacking in NJ. Concrete Chiropractor® is the leader in the field of concrete lifting in NJ and concrete raising in NJ. As part of our dedication and obligation on how to level sinking concrete, we have attended many shows such as World of Concrete to stay abreast of new technology that would be a significant change to the settling concrete repair field. The newest option is know as the Poly leveling foam concrete raising.

If we feel there was a new method that would better serve the customer, or it was a feasible mudjacking alternative, we would not hesitate to add it to our existing method of concrete leveling in NJ. While others have jumped on this bandwagon of “selling” poly leveling, at this time, we do not see a true advantage in the majority of applications to polyurethane injection grouting over the traditional, time proven, methods of concrete repair. We back our method with our long-standing reputation and our personal guarantee.

If you are looking to raise concrete safely at a reasonable price, with a well know company that will stand behind you, guarantee it’s work and has a great reputation, then you need to call Concrete Chiropractor.

Some Polyfoam claims are:

Facts show that the main cause of concrete settlement is due to disturbed soils during initial home and building construction and not due to weight. Main building structures far exceed the weight of concrete slabs on grade and are footed on undisturbed soils. These soils generally do not settle. However, concrete slabs that surround a structure such as concrete pool decks, garage floors, patios, porches, and walkways that are prone to settlement failure.

A know fact is the difference of 100 pounds per cubic foot between Mudjacking grout and poly foam is insignificant as undisturbed soils generally support 1500 to 3000 pounds per square foot.

Poly-Isocyanate, the chemical name for poly foam is a two-part product consisting of a part A and part B. When mixed there is a chemical reaction. This reaction is known to off gas and generate heat. This poly foam product which has been used for concrete raising has a history of flammability and self-combustion.  There are documented cases in which these poly foam fires have resulted in health-related lawsuits and the National Institute of Safety and Health, NIOSH, requires the use of a respirator and gloves along with skin and face protection. The CDC has stated that poly foam has a history of reactions including death.

In addition to separation costs and added recycling costs during concrete replacement, poly foam cannot be accepted at concrete recycling facilities.

Poly foam products have been shown to come with a long-term environmental impact. The use of poly products such as plastic bags, bottles, Styrofoam’s have resulted in plastic reduction and bans. Further use of these products is predicted to come at a much higher financial and environmental cost going forward.

It is a known fact that poly foam products do no biodegrade and can take hundreds of years to break down. However, tests have shown that a properly mixed and tested Mudjacking grout with Portland cement can withstand long term water resistance. Cements have a time-proven history of durability against weather dating back thousands of years.

The actual concern with all concrete leveling repairs regardless of the product used is to correct all water issues. A down spout discharging next to a slab, roof water, or a lack of drainage from poorly pitched grade will not only result in washout of any base soils but can also increase the possibility of frost damage in colder climates.

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