If you want to pursue a career in professional contracting, specifically concrete lifting and spray foam insulation, you need to understand how to select and use the right equipment. If a commercial client complains about cracks and uneven areas in their driveway, sidewalk, or front steps, you must resolve the issue promptly.
To do this, you must decide which concrete lifting technique to use. Next, you can decide which equipment you need to complete the job. Keep reading to find out how to choose the right concrete lifting equipment.
What Exactly Is Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting raises a sunken or settled concrete slab by injecting a material underneath it. A contractor will drill small holes into the sunken section of concrete. Then, they’ll attach a pump that fills the void with a material strong enough to raise the slab to its original position.
Why You Should Never Ignore Sunken or Uneven Concrete
While sunken or uneven concrete may seem like a small deal initially, your clients could find themselves in trouble if they leave these problems unresolved for too long. You should inform them of these top reasons why they should never ignore sunken or uneven concrete:
- Potential legal problems
- Costly damage to expensive structures
- Vehicle damage
- Trip and fall dangers
- Potential for sinkholes
- Possible water pooling
Types of Concrete Lifting Techniques
The two most common concrete lifting techniques are mud jacking and foam jacking. While both techniques follow similar steps, the materials used during the pumping processes will differ. With mud jacking, contractors use a cement mixture to raise the piece of uneven concrete. With foam jacking, contractors use polyurethane foam to create a chemical reaction that forces the concrete to expand back to its original shape.
While both techniques will work, most contractors prefer the stability and support that foam jacking provides. This technique will impress your clients by helping them save time and money on repairs and preventing long-term damage.
What Concrete Lifting Equipment Do I Need?
Once you have decided on a concrete lifting technique, you can select the type of equipment you will use. Select high-quality equipment that can meet the demands of your concrete lifting project. Your clients and construction team will thank you for choosing equipment with high standards and the ability to maintain, construct, and modify your concrete structures. Here are the essential types of concrete lifting equipment you will need as a professional contractor.
Concrete Lifting Pump
You can choose from many types of concrete lifting pumps when purchasing your equipment. For example, a hydraulic proportioner may work best for larger concrete lifting projects, while a specialized foam jacking pump may work best for a smaller-scaled project. You should consult with a professional spray foam equipment supplier to determine which style of concrete lifting pump suits your client’s needs.
Concrete Lifting Foam
Like concrete lifting pumps, you can choose from many types of concrete lifting foams when purchasing your equipment. However, most contractors work with polyurethane foam when lifting or leveling concrete. You can find a concrete lifting foam machine to meet your project needs and streamline the concrete lifting process. A company specializing in spray foam systems can help you pick the right spray foam rig and customize it to your specifications.
Concrete Lifting Equipment Checklist
While concrete lifting pumps and foam are the most important types of equipment, there are a range of other products you should purchase before beginning the concrete lifting process. Once you have these items, the foam jacking process should run smoothly.
- Proportioner
- Generator
- Air compressor
- Foam hose and nozzle
- Spray gun
In addition to concrete lifting equipment, you should also have the tools needed for working with concrete. For example, your workers should have a drilling system, trowels, and a dust collection system. Without these tools, you will have difficulty completing the polyurethane foam injection process.
Advantages of Foam Concrete Lifting
While you can always replace the sunken concrete or use conventional mud jacking, most contractors prefer the modern technique of using concrete lifting foam. Here are the top advantages of foam concrete lifting for your commercial construction project.
- The repairs and leveling are fast-acting. Drivers can typically drive on the concrete in under 15 minutes after the foam injection.
- Concrete lifting requires smaller and fewer holes, making the leveling process minimally invasive. Having smaller drill holes also reduces the cleanup time needed to make the concrete look fully restored.
- Concrete foam is lightweight and less labor-intensive. This makes it ideal for working on large jobsites.
- Concrete lifting foam is hydrophobic, meaning it will stay hard when it comes in contact with water.
- Using concrete foam lifting is cost-effective compared to replacing concrete or mud jacking. Your clients will appreciate you staying under budget when completing their concrete lift renovation.
Additional Reasons To Use Concrete Lifting Foam
When choosing the right concrete lifting equipment for your project, you should also consider the additional reasons to use concrete lifting foam. You can use concrete lifting foam for many construction purposes, including:
- Void filling—Besides bringing a concrete slab back to its original level, concrete lifting foam can fill any future voids.
- Extra support—You can use concrete lifting foam for additional support and joint/slab stabilization for high-traffic driveways or sidewalks.
- Seawall repair—If a commercial or residential property is on the waterfront, you can use concrete lifting foam to fill any voids or seal leaks caused by water erosion.
The Best Option for Concrete Lifting Equipment
If your business needs concrete lifting equipment for a construction project, look no further than Spray Foam Systems. We sell a range of premium concrete lifting and leveling equipment that will ensure your team has the best equipment and support available.
With the best concrete lifting equipment on the market, your construction crew will receive a significant return on their investment and have everything they need to keep your clients’ structures safe for years to come. For more information about our spray foam systems and equipment, contact us by phone or through our website. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you find the industry-leading equipment your team needs.
