Foam jacking and mudjacking for sidewalk repair
Raising a concrete sidewalk back to its earlier position using foam jacking or slab jacking improves drainage, rectifies improper step heights, fixes trip hazards and fills gaps beneath unsupported concrete.
Why embark on a sidewalk repair?
Tripping hazards are perhaps the most common cause property managers, and owners require mudjacking for sidewalk repair for some reasons.
1. Home inspection
Irregular step heights are often cited by inspector ahead of a sale. The code states that step heights must mirror one another in height. Supposing the sidewalk at the bottom of the steps happens to sink, the steps sidestep the law. Raising settled paths is a simple repair, and it shouldn’t stop your impending sale.
2. Drainage improvement
The need for drainage improvement arises typically from sidewalks settling and sloping towards the property rather than away. Such occurrences are prevalent with paths that run near side of properties with basements. In the event water flows towards your house as a result of a lopsided sidewalk, foundation and moisture problems will arise. A concrete sidewalk repair meant to address poor drainage is considerably less costly than resorting to re-waterproofing your basement or repairing your foundation.
Void filling is a somewhat common sidewalk repair. Any air spaces that may occur beneath your sidewalk will at some point result in a sunken walkway. Filling voids early before a slab settles is significantly quicker compared to replacing or lifting.
Sidewalk repair methods
The two conventional sidewalk repair methods include; foam jacking and slab jacking. Both processes restore the sidewalk concrete to its original position. Foam jacking lifts and supports settled sidewalks by inserting thick polyurethane foam beneath the concrete. Mudjacking for sidewalk repair works to lift a settled concrete sidewalk by shooting sand-based grout below the concrete. Both of these processes are pocket-friendly options for repairing settled concrete sidewalks.
The common cause of settled sidewalks is compaction or settlement of underlying soil owing to a lacking of packing down during house construction or sidewalk installation.
Ordinarily, it takes about a decade for backfill material to settle after installation. Foam jacking and mudjacking decrease the possibility of resettlement in comparison the more prevalent and pricey concrete replacement.
Sidewalk repair cost
Typically, the earlier methods of void filling cost roughly half the price of replacement and take 20-25 minutes apiece but may at times take longer hinging on varying degrees of settlement.
Users may walk on sidewalks immediately after a mudjacking or foam jacking procedure.
