Polyurethane vs Mud Jacking
When needing to raise and level concrete slabs that have sunk such as sidewalks, driveways, and patios; people sometimes get confused in selecting the best out of two common methods: polyurethane concrete raising and mud jacking.
We are here to provide you the difference between the two procedures.
Polyurethane Concrete Raising versus Mudjacking
Talking about the conventional construction contractor experiences, they believe that mud jacking is sometimes more economical than the polyurethane concrete raising. The best reason they give is that the materials used are inexpensive and many times customers choose the option that appears to be the most inexpensive.
Durability
Although the mud jacking method can present lower upfront costs on some projects, long-term reliability can be an issue. Polyurethane concrete raising foam is much more durable than mud jacking. This is because that polyurethane concrete raising uses a sophisticated two-part polymer that’s specifically developed for raising and supporting concrete slabs. Mudjacking methods do not typically rely on precise measurements when blending materials into slurries.
The Size of the Hole
The second main difference between the two is the injection whole size. Polyurethane concrete raising uses a small hole which is not readily noticeable whereas, the mudjacking method requires a hole that is much larger in size that is noticeable and does not look good. The hole used when mudjacking is 1-2 inches in diameter.
Viscosity of a Substance
There is a difference in the states of matter that is injected into the holes. Polyurethane is injected as a thin liquid. This promotes consistency and flow. The fluid travels easily between the slab and its sub-base allowing for proper coverage and void filling.
In comparison to this, mudjacking uses a much stiffer, semi-solid substance which cannot fill the smaller voids like polyurethane.
Appearance
Since polyurethane concrete raising uses small holes which are hardly noticeable, the appearance of the concrete is not significantly affected.
Strength
Since mudjacking contractors take it upon themselves to create their slurries anyway they wish, it is not possible to determine a general strength factor for the mudjacking method. Some contractors claim to be using cement, while others use only water and crushed limestone which provides little to no binding strength.
Polyurethane lifting materials are created under close tolerances and have a very measurable and consistent crush resistance. In fact, polyurethane lifting foams are strong enough that many Department of Transportation projects require the use of polyurethane, and do not entertain mudjacking bids.
Therefore, when evaluating polyurethane concrete raising versus mudjacking, polyurethane is more reliable and less costing in the long run.
Americrawl has the expertise to evaluate your uneven, cracked concrete slabs, allowing you to quickly enjoy using those areas around your home. If you would like to learn more about concrete leveling services, contact us today for your free estimate.
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Published: 08 May 2019
