Why Polyjacking is the Best Solution for Concrete Leveling and Lifting During Winter?
December 23, 2022One of the major issues that the residents of St. Louis and other regions face during the coldest of winters is the sinking/spalling of concrete structures. This happens due to multiple factors.
The most important of which is the kind of erratic winter conditions that we are facing right now. The high volumes of moisture and wild temperature swings cause soil expansion and contraction with excessive moisture retention from lack of evaporation. Sometimes heavy winter can even cause concrete cracks and that’s why you might notice some new concrete cracks in the winter. This moisture causes the soils/base materials below the slabs to loosen, erode, and settle faster in these conditions. The concrete slabs are left unsupported and settling which leads to cracking and fragmenting to a point where it cannot be corrected. In addition to that, if there is a downpour of snow the sustained weight and freezing temps can cause additional cracking as well if the slab is not properly stabilized and supported beforehand. The moisture drainage from snowpack can also accelerate under-slab soil erosion, settlement, and cracking.
In addition to that, if there is a downpour of snow the sustained weight and freezing temps can cause additional cracking as well if the slab is not properly stabilized and supported beforehand. The moisture drainage from snowpack can also accelerate under-slab soil erosion, settlement, and cracking.
These problems pop up just like they would in the warm/hot summer months due to the erratic weather conditions. But, everything becomes tough during the winter season and so does concrete leveling and lifting.
Can You Level Concrete in Winter?
Polyjacking in Winter
When it comes to concrete leveling and lifting in winter, the first priority is to fill the void spaces below to support the slab while correcting the level/grade of the slab. This way a proper water/snow runoff away from joints, seams, or foundations is made and the concrete is preserved. And this can be easily achieved through Polyjacking even during the punishing winter months.
Polyurethane injection (Polyjacking) for exterior slabs can typically happen well into the 20-degree range and at any freezing temps for interior slabs of course. A properly heated hose, pre-heated material, and a robust delivery pump are mandatory and a prerequisite for a reputable operation. No contractor in this business would run jobs without this (winter or summer). Hence, your concrete leveling and lifting don’t have to wait till the summer. With STL Polyjack, all these services can be done during the winter months in our region with average temps now in the 40 to 44-degree range.
Then the additional measure of caulking the joints between the slabs, garage, or foundation will be that added step to seal everything off and keep any unwanted moisture out for long-term concrete slab sustainability. Concrete caulking can be done down to the 30-degree range with slower cure times. These steps can help your concrete structures remain strong even during the winter and be sustainable for the coming year.
In the past years, Concrete lifting and leveling during the winter months in the St. Louis region were not feasible. This was because mudjacking was the only widely available method. A sustained period of lower daytime and overnight freezing temperatures didn’t facilitate the curing of the pumped cold materials. Fast forward to today, Polyjacking with heated injected polyurethane lifting materials and pumps has made fixing your sunk and fragmented concrete structures. With Polyjacking and the wetter and warmer climate during the winters, concrete lifting and leveling in the winter months is actually recommended as opposed to waiting till summer to get problem areas fixed.
Conclusion
In summary, It’s very important to have a reputable and experienced concrete stabilization / Polyjacking contractor help you identify the issues and provide the proper solutions as mentioned above, and even more important not to wait to get it done.
In summary, Polyjacking is the best solution for concrete leveling and lifting during winter in St. Louis. And, one of the most important things is to have a trusted and reputable concrete stabilization contractor to help you in winter. At STL Polyjack, we try to help the residents of St. Louis throughout the year even during dire weather conditions. So, the next time you need concrete leveling and lifting services in winter, contact STL Polyjack – #1 Ranked Concrete Leveling and Lifting Company in St. Louis.