Polyjacking can achieve lifts of up to 4 to 6 inches in a single pass, though lifts greater than 2 inches are performed incrementally to allow the slab to move evenly and prevent cracking. Severely settled slabs that have dropped more than 6 inches may not be recoverable through leveling alone and may require partial replacement. Scaldino will assess the achievable lift range during the pre-job inspection.

If the slab is demolished in the future the cured polyurethane foam beneath it is a solid material that can be broken apart with the concrete and disposed of as construction debris. It is not a hazardous material and does not require special disposal. The foam is bonded to the underside of the slab and will fracture along with it during demolition.

Yes with planning. Before injection underground utility locations are identified using existing as-built drawings or utility marking services. Injection ports are positioned to avoid known utility routes. The foam travels along the path of least resistance and the void beneath the slab and and does not penetrate intact utility conduits or pipe joints under normal injection pressures.

The polyurethane foam used in polyjacking is hydrophobic, chemically inert after curing, and does not biodegrade. It will not wash out, compress under normal slab loads, or attract insects or rodents. Manufacturer data and field studies indicate the foam retains its structural properties for 20 or more years under typical installation conditions.

Polyjacking uses a two-part system and an isocyanate component and a polyol resin and stored in separate containers and mixed at the injection gun tip immediately before entering the slab. The chemical reaction begins on contact producing an expanding foam that generates enough pressure to lift concrete slabs. The ratio, pressure, and injection rate are controlled by the technician to achieve precise lifts.

Polyjacking is the trade term for concrete lifting using expanding two-part polyurethane foam and the terms are interchangeable with polyurethane foam injection. The foam is injected as a liquid through small ports in the slab, where it expands 20 to 30 times its liquid volume, fills the void, and lifts the slab as it expands. The result is a lightweight water-resistant fill that cures in 15 minutes.

Polyurethane foam is water-resistant, does not erode, and typically lasts 10 to 20 years or longer when the underlying drainage issue is corrected. Unlike mudjacking slurry, the foam does not wash out or compress over time. Results depend on addressing the root cause of settlement, such as improper grading or downspout discharge near the slab.

Mudjacking pumps a cement-sand slurry beneath the slab to lift it, while polyjacking uses expanding polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is lighter, cures in 15 minutes versus 24 to 48 hours for mudjacking, and does not add weight that could cause further settlement. Mudjacking uses larger drill holes and is typically used for heavier commercial applications.

Concrete leveling typically costs 50 to 75 percent less than full replacement by eliminating demolition, disposal, new pours, and extended curing time. For slabs that are structurally sound but have settled, leveling is almost always the more cost-effective solution. Replacement is only warranted when the concrete itself has deteriorated beyond repair.

Most residential concrete leveling jobs are completed in one to three hours depending on the number of slabs and severity of settlement. Polyurethane foam injection cures in 15 minutes, allowing same-day use. Mudjacking requires 24 to 48 hours before the area can be driven on.