Eco-Friendly Polylevel
Recently you noticed that one of your concrete driveway or patio sections is beginning to sink a little and now you are on the web to explore options. Perhaps you have seen some interesting videos on YouTube about how concrete can be repaired instead of replaced, but you need some information. At Leveled we are all about educating clients and potential clients about Polylevel, so let us share what we know.
When concrete slabs begin to sink, the issue is generally erosion of the base under the slab; rainwater is very hard on concrete.
A gap forms under the slab and the weight of the concrete pushes the slab into the gap. If you ignore the issue the slab will continue to sink and eventually it will crack. If ignored further erosion will continue.
Polylevel vs Replacement
The most expensive solution to the problem is replacing the slab or the whole driveway. The cracked concrete is jackhammered into smaller pieces, lifted into a dump truck, hauled to a landfill, and dumped. New material is mined, prepared, poured, and finished. Replacing concrete is labor-intensive (read expensive) and hard on the environment (both the landfill and newly mined material).
Polylevel is a process using polyurethane foam, the same type of product used to insulate structural walls, appliances, and walk-in coolers. Small holes, about the size of a penny, are drilled into the sunken section of concrete and the foam is forced into the gaps underneath. The foam expands to about 15 times the original volume, finding gaps and stabilizing the base under the slab. The expanded foam will lift the affected area and support both the weight of the concrete and vehicle weight parked on the slab. Experienced technicians can apply the correct amount of foam to raise the slab to its original position.
By repairing your driveway, patio, or sidewalk with Polylevel, you will not only keep waste out of the landfill, but also minimizing the need for new concrete, both good choices for our planet.
Benefits of Polylevel
Environmental Benefits
Polylevel is a light, waterproof foam that provides an accurate lift and handles various load sizes. It runs like water when it is first injected under the concrete, filling even small gaps. It has been engineered to:
- Become chemically inert as soon as it cures. That means it will not leach chemicals into the air, the soil, or into groundwater. It does not release chemicals that are harmful to the ozone layer in our atmosphere.
- Does not biodegrade. It will not break down over time, will not rot or decompose into the soil.
- Does not erode away with rainwater.
- Provides no nutritional value to animals or insects. It has a high density and adheres to both the slab and the base, so burrowing animals will find it difficult to move through.
- Does degrade over time when exposed to the ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, but since it is under concrete it is not exposed to sunlight.
Application Benefits
- The injection sites require very small holes, about the diameter of a penny. When the holes are repaired, they will be indistinguishable from the original surface.
- Most normal-sized projects can be completed in one workday. Once the foam has been installed, cure time is 15 minutes to an hour.
- The results give you a remarkable result—the old slab looking as good as new.
- The cost of repairs with Polylevel is a fraction of the cost of replacement.
If caught in time, repair your driveway, patio, or sidewalk with Polylevel to keep your home looking nice with stable, even surfaces. It will save you time and money. It is a better option for the environment.
Have Questions about Polylevel?
When you are ready to fix that uneven concrete, call us at 832-995-2000 to schedule your free inspection for concrete repair. Leveled can schedule a free inspection to help walk you through your options.