Question 1

What is polyurethane foam concrete lifting?

Accepted Answer

At Relevel Concrete Lifting, we make lifting and levelling your sunken concrete a breeze! We use top-notch polyurethane foam to get the job done—no mess, no crazy costs, and no hassle of replacing your driveway.

We drill small holes in the sunken concrete and inject a two-part polyurethane foam underneath. As it expands, it fills in the gaps, stabilizes the soil, and gently lifts the concrete back to where it belongs.

The repair is quick, easy, and helps make your property look great and safe again.

Question 2

What causes concrete to settle?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons concrete can sink or become uneven. Poorly compacted soil, heavy clay soils, tree roots, erosion, drainage problems, and Alberta's freeze-thaw cycles can all contribute to settlement.

Over time, the soil or base beneath the concrete can shift, compact, or be washed away, leaving empty spaces beneath the slab. Once the concrete loses that support, it can begin to sink.

Question 3

Can my sunken concrete be lifted instead of replaced?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes.

Polyurethane foam lifting allows us to restore existing concrete without tearing out and replacing the entire slab.

We first assess the condition of the concrete and the area underneath it. If the slab is a good candidate for lifting, we use expanding polyurethane foam to fill voids beneath it and carefully raise the concrete back to a level position.

Not every slab is suitable for lifting, especially if the concrete is severely damaged or broken. That's why an on-site assessment is important.

Question 4

What causes concrete to settle?

Accepted Answer

Ever wonder why a driveway, sidewalk, or patio that was perfectly level when it was poured can slowly start to sink?

There are actually several reasons concrete can settle. Understanding what’s happening underneath the slab can help you figure out the right way to fix it.

1. Poor or improper base compaction

Before concrete is poured, the soil and base underneath need to be properly compacted. If they aren't, the weight of the concrete can cause the base to compact further over time.

Sometimes this settlement happens slowly. Other times, it can happen fairly quickly.

2. Soil conditions

The type of soil underneath your concrete can make a big difference.

Heavy clay soils can expand when they get wet and shrink when they dry out. That constant movement can cause concrete slabs to shift, sink, or become uneven.

3. Tree roots and surrounding trees

Large trees can have a surprising effect on the soil around your driveway or sidewalk.

A large tree can use as much as 400 litres of water a day. That can dry out the soil around the tree and contribute to settlement of nearby concrete.

If your driveway or sidewalk is close to a large tree and you've started noticing sinking or uneven sections, the tree may be part of the problem.

4. Alberta's freeze-thaw cycles

Freezing and thawing can also cause concrete to move.

When the ground freezes, frost can cause the soil and concrete to shift upward. When everything thaws, the concrete may settle back down—but not always into the same position.

Over time, this can create uneven areas and trip spots between slabs.

Hot, dry weather can also affect concrete. Clay soils can shrink during periods of heat and drought, and then expand again when they receive moisture. That movement can cause slabs to shift and become uneven.

5. Erosion and water

Water is another common cause of settling.

Damaged water or sewer lines, poorly positioned downspouts, and heavy rainfall can wash away the material supporting your concrete.

Once those voids form underneath the slab, the concrete can begin to sink.

This is one reason it's important to understand what's happening underneath the concrete—not just what's happening on the surface.

One advantage of polyurethane foam lifting is that the foam itself won't erode like traditional mudjacking material.

6. Heavy traffic and vibrations

In areas exposed to heavy traffic, machinery, or repeated vibrations, the base underneath concrete can gradually compact or shift.

Over time, those vibrations and heavy loads can contribute to slabs settling or moving.

Question 5

How much does concrete lifting cost?

Accepted Answer

Every project is different, so there isn't one price that applies to every driveway, sidewalk, or patio.

The cost depends on factors such as the size of the slab, how far it has settled, the amount of void underneath it, accessibility, and the overall condition of the concrete.

One of the biggest advantages of concrete lifting is that it can be significantly more affordable than removing and replacing an entire concrete slab.

The best way to know what your project will cost is to schedule a free on-site assessment and quote.

Question 6

Is polyurethane foam lifting better than replacing my concrete?

Accepted Answer

If your existing concrete is still in reasonably good condition, lifting may be a much simpler alternative to replacement.

Instead of demolishing the slab, hauling away the old concrete, preparing the base, and pouring new concrete, polyurethane lifting works with the concrete you already have.

The process also requires only small injection holes and typically causes much less disruption to your property.

During the assessment, we'll let you know honestly whether lifting or replacement makes more sense for your situation.

Question 7

How long does concrete lifting take?

Accepted Answer

The time depends on the size and complexity of the project.

Many residential concrete lifting projects can be completed within a few hours.

We'll give you a better idea of the expected time during your assessment.

Question 8

How soon can I use my concrete after it is lifted?

Accepted Answer

One of the major advantages of polyurethane foam is how quickly it cures.

In most situations, you can walk on the repaired area almost immediately after the work is completed.

For many driveway projects, you can typically drive on the area the same day.

Question 9

What types of concrete can you lift?

Accepted Answer

Polyurethane foam lifting can be used on many different types of solid concrete slabs, including:

Driveways
Sidewalks
Patios
Garage floors
Steps
Walkways
Other concrete slabs

The condition of the concrete matters. Severely damaged or broken slabs may not be suitable for lifting.

During your free assessment, we'll look at the condition of the slab and let you know whether lifting is a good option.

Question 10

How soon can I use my concrete after lifting?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest advantages of polyurethane foam lifting is how quickly the material cures.

In most situations, the repaired area can be used shortly after the work is completed. This means you don't have to wait long before getting back to your normal routine.

For driveways, we can typically have you driving on the repaired area the same day.

Question 11

What happens to existing cracks in my concrete?

Accepted Answer

Lifting the slab may cause some existing cracks to close or become less noticeable as the concrete is moved back toward its original position.

However, polyurethane lifting does not automatically repair or eliminate existing cracks.

If your concrete has significant cracking, we'll discuss its condition with you during the assessment and explain what you can reasonably expect from the lifting process.

Question 12

Will polyurethane foam prevent my concrete from settling again?

Accepted Answer

Polyurethane foam fills voids beneath the slab and provides support where material has been lost or displaced.

However, every property is different, and the underlying cause of settlement can affect the long-term result.

Our goal is to identify what caused the concrete to settle and use the appropriate lifting and stabilization approach for your situation.

Question 13

Can you lift an asphalt driveway?

Accepted Answer

In some situations, specialized foam injection can be used to lift asphalt, depending on the asphalt's condition and the material beneath it.

Every situation is different, so an assessment is needed before determining whether foam lifting is appropriate.

Question 14

How do I schedule my concrete lifting project?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a simple call or booking through our website. Contact Relevel Concrete Lifting to arrange your free on-site assessment. We'll inspect the concrete, determine the cause of the settlement, and provide you with a quote.

If you decide to move forward, we'll work with you to schedule a convenient time for the project.

Question 15

Why choose polyurethane foam instead of replacing my concrete?

Accepted Answer

Replacing concrete can mean demolition, removal, disposal, new concrete, and a longer project.

Polyurethane foam lifting gives homeowners another option: restore the concrete you already have instead of automatically replacing it.

The process uses small injection holes, requires minimal disruption, and the foam cures quickly.

Most importantly, we'll assess your concrete first and give you an honest recommendation. If lifting isn't the right solution, we'll tell you.

Concrete Lifting & Levelling

Professional polyurethane foam concrete lifting restoring driveways, sidewalks, and patios in Edmonton and surrounding areas

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Frequently asked questions

Question

What is polyurethane foam concrete lifting?

Question

What causes concrete to settle?

Question

Can my sunken concrete be lifted instead of replaced?

Question

What causes concrete to settle?

Question

How much does concrete lifting cost?

Question

Is polyurethane foam lifting better than replacing my concrete?

Question

How long does concrete lifting take?

Question

How soon can I use my concrete after it is lifted?

Question

What types of concrete can you lift?

Question

How soon can I use my concrete after lifting?

Question

What happens to existing cracks in my concrete?

Question

Will polyurethane foam prevent my concrete from settling again?

Question

Can you lift an asphalt driveway?

Question

How do I schedule my concrete lifting project?

Question

Why choose polyurethane foam instead of replacing my concrete?

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