Do you have cracks in your driveway that has caused a part of it to sink or become uneven? Installing a brand new driveway can be both disruptive and expensive, but it is not your only option. Concrete lifting, which is also known as mudjacking or slabjacking, can correct your sunken or uneven concrete and produce excellent results at a fraction of the cost of concrete replacement.
What is concrete lifting?
An experienced company that deals with concrete lifting in Calgary can restore your concrete by creating a solid foundation under the problem area. The voids under the concrete that are causing it to sink are filled with either polyurethane foam or a grout mixture in order to raise it to the proper height.
This process will leave your yard undisturbed, nothing will have to be removed and disposed of and the job will only take a few hours. The biggest advantage to concrete lifting is that it costs significantly less than concrete replacement and is often just 25% of the cost. Learn how to level concrete floors.
Hire the RIGHT concrete lifting company.
Just like you would be cautious with hiring any company to work on your home, it’s important to do your research before signing a contract with a concrete repair or lifting company. Concrete Specialists in Calgary share some things to look out for when choosing a concrete contractor:
The right materials are being used.
Ask the company what products they will inject beneath your sunken concrete. They should be using a quality grout or polyurethane foam injection. Because the industry is unregulated, some companies will try to use an inferior clay or mud substance. It might appear like your driveway is fixed at first, but this product isn’t prone to our changing seasons and will shrink, causing your concrete to sink back again in a short time.
Check the warranty.
You should never hire a company that offers a warranty for longer than they’ve been in business. For example, if they offer a 5-year warranty but have only been in business for 2 years, they have no proven track record for their work. Warranties could also include details on how much the concrete sinks back again. For example, Concrete Specialists offer a 5-year warranty against any sinking or settling of 1 inch or more.
Get the details on pricing.
Make sure the company you are hiring offers a clear contract that includes non-transparent pricing. For example, you should know the per-pound price on the grout or foam used on your project, cost of additional materials required, labour, etc. If your contract says ‘plus additional material’ but has no dollar amount for that material, it is like you are writing a blank cheque for a job with an unknown cost.
Watch out for third-party mudjackers.
In some cases, a concrete contractor will sub-contract a third party for their mudjacking. This is usually because they don’t have experience with the materials and process themselves, or because they don’t actually offer the service but still want to profit on your project. Always ask if this is the case. If so, you might have problems with the warranty or any service support you might require in the future.
Concrete Repair & Restoration in Calgary
Concrete Specialists can lift and stabilize your driveway, patios, stairs, sidewalks, garage floors, uneven concrete, warehouse floors, basement floors, building structures, bridge aprons, highways and other concrete surfaces. They have a proven track record for quality products, workmanship and customer satisfaction. If you have any questions about your uneven concrete or are looking for a quote on fixing the problem, call the Concrete Specialists!
