Concrete Leveling with Polyurethane Foam Can Repair Pool Decks

Solve Sinking Concrete and Eliminate Tripping Hazards

When it comes to pool deck safety, there are two rules to remember:

1. No running by the pool!

2. Children always ignore No. 1

There are already enough slip-and-trip hazards around pools as it is, without the concrete itself becoming one of them. However, when the concrete pool deck begins to settle, that is precisely what happens. And that is when the deck needs concrete lifting with PolyPier concrete leveling foam.

Why Use Polyurethane Concrete Leveling on Pool Decks?

If the concrete in a pool deck begins to settle, one of two things will happen. First, the pool deck slabs will become uneven as one side sinks or rises. The second is that the individual slabs could crack under the pressure of the settling. The areas on either side of the crack will then become uneven.

Depending on how the settling occurs, this could also affect drainage from the deck, leading to pooling water and other problems.

When this occurs, there are three things you can do

1. Ignore the problem: This is the cheapest solution, but be aware that the problem will only worsen. Concrete doesn’t tend to level itself once settlement begins, and the continued stresses caused by uneven settlement are likely to exacerbate any existing cracks.
2. Replace the concrete: This will, at least temporarily, address any cracks caused by the settlement. It is, however, the most expensive of the options. And if the problems that caused it to settle in the first place aren’t fixed, all you’d eventually have is brand-new concrete with the same old problems.
3. Concrete Leveling: With concrete leveling, material is injected beneath the concrete slab to level it. This raises the slab back to its original height, leaving a level concrete surface without the tripping hazards that previously existed.

Advantages of Expanding Polyurethane Foam

While mudjacking has been the traditional standby for concrete leveling, contractors are now able to offer a better option: polyurethane foam lifting, also known as polyjacking.

In mudjacking, a technician injects a cement slurry beneath the concrete, causing it to rise upward. In polyjacking, an expanding polyurethane foam replaces the slurry.

Polyurethane foam lifting holds several advantages over mudjacking.

1. It is a permanent solution: Unlike mudjacking, which breaks down and needs to be redone in time, the polyurethane foam will not break down. It is impervious to water or chemicals in the soil, meaning it won’t break down and weaken the slab.
2. Smaller holes: With either method, the contractor will need to drill holes in the pool deck to inject the material. There is a significant difference in the size of the holes, though, as it takes a much smaller opening to inject the foam, which doesn’t expand until it is under the slab.
3. Precision: Skilled technicians can level concrete to within small fractions of an inch, ensuring the problem is fixed, not just partially resolved.

Read more about the advantages of polyjacking over mudjacking.

Why Use PolyPier® to Level Pool Decks?

PolyPier is a division of Earth Contact Products, a foundation repair manufacturer. Like all ECP products, the PolyPier formulas undergo strict quality control and R&D to ensure they meet the needs of our contractors and their clients.

ECP also offers both classroom and field training for all its partner contractors, ensuring that every contractor is well-versed in how to use the various PolyPier formulas effectively.

We also have multiple PolyPier formulas. This allows the contractor to select what is right for the job, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. See which formulas we recommend for pool decks.

Contact Us Today

If you are a homeowner in need of concrete pool deck leveling, contact us today to find a reputable concrete leveling contractor in your area. If you are a contractor interested in adding PolyPier to your offerings, either contact us for more information or fill out a form on our Become a Partner page.