So, you're faced with a sunken concrete slab that could be repaired via complete replacement or being lifted back into place. How do you know which option to choose? Here are a few things to think about.
If the slab is in good shape, and is of a reasonable enough size and thickness, it is usually going to be more cost effective to lift it back into place with structural polyurethane foam. Our PMC pumps can deliver the AP Lift series of foams as far as 400 feet away through heated hoses. And remember, wherever you deliver new concrete, you have to haul away old concrete.
Everybody wants to be green and take care of the environment these days, because it's the right thing to do. There is an environmental impact every time concrete is replaced. The cement manufacturing process is the second largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Additionally, there is the issue of what happens to old concrete once it is removed. One would like to think it is recycled, but more often than not it ends up being dumped. Hopefully that would be in a landfill, but we've all seen piles of concrete rubble in places where it would be considered trash or pollution. It's worth considering. Meanwhile Alchemy-Spetec's AP Lift 430 and AP Lift 475 are so environmentally friendly they are NSF approved for contact with drinking water in their cured state.
Last but not least, how long can a property owner or manager afford to have that area out of service? Consider a busy warehouse, an airport taxi way, or a bridge approach on a highway. There is an economic impact when those are out of service for replacement. It can be a couple days before new concrete is traffic ready. Wouldn't it be better to have it lifted in a few hours, and then back in service 15 minutes after the slab jacking is done? I know what I would want.
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