Did you know that a cracked concrete slab is more than just unsightly? Cracks like these are dangerous as they can lead to further damage to the surrounding areas. It can even cause the entire home or building to collapse.
Overall, a cracked slab can do serious harm to your property and ruin your home. If you think your home’s concrete slab might be cracking, you might want to consider slab repair. Luckily, repairing these broken concrete slabs is easier than it’s ever been in the past.
Here is a guide to the most popular repair techniques for cracked concrete slabs.
Cement Mortar Jacking
This technique is used to reinforce weakened foundations and repair cracks in concrete slabs. It can also improve the condition of the subgrade foundation itself.
It involves the injection of a cementitious grout beneath a slab to fill voids and stabilize or raise the slab. The injection is done at numerous locations in a pattern, which helps distribute the load evenly on the slab.
The grout is pushed below the slab until the required lifting is achieved. Once cured, the grout solidifies. This strengthens the soil to help ensure the structural integrity of the concrete slab. Cement mortar jacking is an effective method of repair for weak slabs and an effective slab leak repair.
Dowel Bar Retrofitting
The process involves drilling the concrete and then adding short sections of steel bars (dowels) as an interlock when installed properly. The dowel bars stick out from the pavement and form a connection between both ends of the unpredictable crack. This simple technique is effective for leak repair and stops the spread of the crack.
The new dowels also aim to strengthen the pavement and increase its service life. This method is advantageous and cost-effective compared to overlays or complete slab replacement. It is compatible with most pavement materials.
Helical Anchors
Helical anchors are a unique type of slab repair technique and are generally used for large cracks. The technique consists of inserting threaded steel anchors into the concrete slab and anchoring it to a stable substrate. The anchors are designed to keep the slab secure while the repair is done.
Once secured, the repair material is placed into the crack and allowed to cure, restoring the strength of the slab. Helical anchors offer exceptional strength for slab repair, making them a superior option compared to other techniques. Furthermore, they are easy to install and can be done by a qualified technician.
Polyurethane Foam Injection
This type of repair involves drilling tiny holes into the slab and then injecting high-density foam into the affected area. The foam expands into the slab, lifting and stabilizing the concrete surface. This can be used to fix sinking steps, trip hazards, and pool decks or to repair walkways, balconies, driveways, and patios.
It is also a great option for waterproofing and stabilizing the base of a concrete structure. The foam is an eco-friendly, odorless, lightweight material that will not degrade over time and is perfect when you need to repair slab leaks.
Exploring Different Slab Repair Techniques
Slab repair is an important part of maintaining a structurally sound and safe residential space. Different techniques include cement mortar jacking, dowel bar retrofitting, using helical anchors, and polyurethane foam injection. These techniques meet varying degrees of needs and repair projects.
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