So, how do you raise a sunken concrete slab with foam?Locate the uneven concrete & dips, Get the right equipment and foam. , use 5/8-inch masonry bit to drill a few small holes through the concrete surfaces, and spray the foam into it. The foam will expand and harden, filling the void in the ground and leveling the driveway.
Raise Concrete with Foam: Simple Ways to Level Your Driveway Sunken Slab
When a concrete slab starts to sink, it’s likely due to a lack of support underneath. Whether the dirt below it has gotten wet or the concrete was damaged accidentally, you can repair either issue with foam. It will elevate the concrete floor slab to level it out in under an hour.
Overview: You will Learn:
Necessary tools to level your concrete with foam
Step-by-step process on leveling your concrete with foam
When to hire a professional
Best option for you (1, 2 or 3)
Option #1: DIY with pump
Option #2: DIY without pump
Our Recommendation: 2 tank Secure Set Kit with a hose extension
Best use: – Need to lift concrete that you can’t lift with a jack (driveways & sidewalk porches touching your house or garage)
Use when you can pour it in & you have access for a jack. (driveways: can dig beneath driveway to place the jack)
Easiest, cleanest.
(Best for any job. If you haveno experience or job too big)
Pro: Faster. No buckets or mixing. Less work.
Pro: Cheapest
Pro: Least work to do.
Cons: More costly than option #2.
Pump is expensive and doesn’t have highest ratings.
This option is not recommended.
Cons: -Time-consuming, -Must be very precise with mixing & pouring. -Must use jack to lift concrete.
Cons: Availability could be better but this is improving.
This option IS recommended.
More expensive: $1200-2000
Cost: $600-1100
Most economical: $450 – 900+
How do you Raise concrete slab with Foam?
Calculate void. How big is the void?
Prep. Clear the area.
Tools. Tape, drill, 5/8 masonry bit, jack
More tools. the wheelbarrow, bucket, pump, level
Safety. Eye protection, gloves.
Drill & vac.
Foam. Manually mix, pour or use hose with extension to reach voids under concrete.
Fill the holes. Patch the holes with concrete mix.
Cleanup.
Before we jump into the details of raising a concrete slab, you’ll need to know which tools to buy for the job. Let’s review them all below.
Best Ways & 10 Tools Do You Need to Raise a Slab of Concrete
The main reason that people prefer foam is that it’s easier to work with than using mud – & it won’t settle in a few months after you apply it. You don’t have to worry about mixing heavy concrete, and a small mistake won’t ruin the surface. Here’s a list of the tools that you’ll want to get your hands on before you start drilling:
Concrete chalk (honestly, any type of chalk will work just fine). You need this to mark the spots before you drill and pour.
A concrete drill must be powerful enough for all the holes to be drilled. Corded drills are hard to reach for long driveways. Milwaukee rotary hammer drills have to power to quickly drill make several concrete holes quickly. Milwaukee is one of the best power tool manufacturers with great quality and one of the best names in the industry. You can get your drill at Amazon.
A 5/8-inch masonry bit. These masonry bits are ideal for pouring the foam, but it won’t leave a visible patch behind – once you fill the hole. A Bosch 1/2″ max rotary bit is best suited for the high demands of concrete drilling. You can also get a 5/8″ bit. Bosch’s specialty carbide bit easily cuts through the concrete in no time. You can get them at hardware stores or at Amazon.
Shop vac. You’ll also want to get a shop vac with plenty of sucking power like the DeWALT shop vac which is great for wet and dry conditions and will last you years to come. It is available here on Amazon.
Mask for dust and respirator for fumes
Concrete jack to lift the slab. The pros use jacks to pre jack up the concrete to the correct height and then pump in the foam to harden and fill the void – instead of using mud – which is much messier to use vs. using foam.
This Pro-Lift grey hydraulic bottle jack is short and fat which means you don’t have to dig as deep. It also has enough capacity to SAFELY lift your concrete. It is available here on Amazon.
Note: The prices for the pumps are all over the place. I called several manufacturers but most will only sell to contractors with a few exceptions.
SealBoss has a similar model to what is sold on Amazon and their quality may be better. They have the best reviews but are more expensive. Of course, the price varies depending on your order, details.
Inexpensive. I have searched over 15 manufacturers and this is the best quantity for the price. Many of the manufacturers sell it by the 55-gallon drum and charge upwards of $2500 for this large quantity. You most likely need several gallons of each. Many driveways need 5-15 gallons. So you will pay a few hundred verses several thousand.
Strenght. 6lb is much stronger than 2lb.
There are several “‘lbs” or pounds of the strength of the foam. It comes in 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 lb strength. 2 is cheaper but is not meant for holding up a driveway. It is best suited for insulating structures, walls or voids. The void in your driveway needs to be filled by strong foam that can hold 10,000 + lbs.
Measuring bucket.
Get a carpenter’s level to make sure that you don’t overfill the slab too high; Otherwise, you could crack the concrete slab, causing more problems than you want to deal with.
Fast-setting concrete is necessary to patch the holes when you’re finished filling them up. You should also get a steel finishing trowel to smoothen it out.
As you can see, there are quite a few tools that you’ll need to complete the task successfully. Don’t forget to get a pair of safety goggles, gloves, and clothes that you don’t care about getting a little dirty. Foam filling and concrete work are pretty messy, so leave your nice clothes at home.
Note: Raising a concrete slab with foam requires constant bending and moving. It takes a while, so you might want to ask a friend or two for assistance if you don’t think you can handle it alone.
What do the professionals use?
Ha! The pros drop $30,000-80,000 for their equipment which is out of the question for this article since we are discussing DIY techniques. You are only doing this once but should be educated on this relatively new process.
Free Estimates?
Some Professional Contractors do offer free estimates. It is best to contact them directly to see what special offers they may have. If the season is slow you could save 50% if you hire them in the off-season.
Level Your Driveway or Garage Floors – Recommended Option – Secure Set 2-Tank Set
When you’ve finally gathered all of the tools, it’s time to get to work. You shouldn’t try to do this repair job during rainy days because the moisture can sink the soil below. Also, the foam has a difficult time hardening when it’s wet outside.
Quick-dry & setup: It usually takes about 30 minutes for the foam under the concrete to solidify and cure.
No pump needed!
Tools:
Hose extension
Drill
Hammer
Masonry bit
Wheelbarrow
Large, small level
Shovel
Gloves, eye protection
Material:
Concrete mix
Secure Set Kit
Difficulty: 5/10
Project time: 1 hour depending on your level of expertise
Without further ado, here are the steps to raise concrete with foam:
1. Prep.
Set up your tools and the area.
Move any cars off the driveway.
Clean the driveway of any debris and then blow it off.
Remove any mulch or grass from 1′ x 2′ from the side of the driveway. This is where you will dig a small hole for the jack.
2. Locate the dip. Mark with a level, chalk.
Using the carpenter’s level, slowly work your way down the slab until you find where it begins to dip. Take the chalk and leave a mark right where it starts, then find the spot where it levels out again and leave another mark. These indicators will narrow down your working space tremendously.
Next, take the chalk and make a mark every six inches from the first notch to the last. It should end up looking like the marks on a ruler. These sections will each act as an indicator for where you’re going to drill the holes to insert the foam mixture.
3. Drill then vac
Attach the 5/8-inch masonry bit to your drill and set it on a low setting. Slowly drill into the concrete until it goes through the concrete. If you run it too fast, you could cause cracks in the concrete and overheat the bit, causing it to get dull quickly. Repeat this process for each of the marks that you make with the chalk.
Take the shop vac and remove the concrete dust from each of the holes as you go. Save some of the dust since you’ll need it later when you add the new concrete to patch it all up.
4. Cut back along the edge of the driveway – jack up the slab (concrete lifting)
Use a jack to jack up the slab. Even with the expansion properties of the foam – it is good practice to assist the foam with a jack so the slab is perfectly raised. Only a jack can do this precisely.
5. Prep the tanks, hose, applicator gun. Then Filler up!
The hoses, spray gun, mixer nozzles, several of the 16″ extension tubes, wrench, and the petroleum jelly packet all come in the kit.
6. Last Thing. Fill the holes with concrete to conceal the injecting holes.
Using the fast-setting concrete mentioned previously in the article, mix it with some of the concrete dust that you held onto. This mixture will allow the new concrete to take on the same shade as the slab that’s already in place.
Fill a grout bag with some of the concrete and inject it into each hole. Fill them all up to the top and remove any excess concrete that sticks out. Since it sets fast, you have to act quickly; otherwise, you’ll be left with a lump concrete slab. You can use the trowel to remove the extra bits right away.
Take the steel finishing trowel and scoop a small amount of the concrete batch to patch each hole. That’s all there is to it! You can have a completely leveled slab that feels brand-new in under an hour of work.
One 10 cu. ft. Secure Set Spray Foam kit — replaces twenty 80 lb. bags of concrete
Option #2 – DIY Using Foam-Poured-Into-Buckets & Jack
When you’ve finally gathered all of the tools, it’s time to get to work. You shouldn’t try to do this repair job during rainy days because the moisture can sink the soil below. Also, foam has a difficult time hardening when it’s wet outside.
Lifting with a pump
Tools:
Drill
Hammer
Masonry bit
Wheelbarrow
Large, small level
Shovel
Gloves, eye protection
Material:
Concrete mix
Part A and B foam
Pour funnel
Difficulty: 7/10
Time to build: several hours depending on your level of expertise
Without further ado, here are the steps to raise concrete with foam:
1. Prep.
Set up your tools and the area.
Move any cars off the driveway.
Clean the driveway of any debris and then blow it off.
Remove any mulch or grass from 1′ x 2′ from the side of the driveway. This is where you will dig a small hole for the jack.
2. Locate the dip. Mark with a level, chalk.
Using the carpenter’s level, slowly work your way down the slab until you find where it begins to dip. Take the chalk and leave a mark right where it starts, then find the spot where it levels out again and leave another mark.
These indicators will narrow down your working space tremendously.
Next, take the chalk and make a mark every six inches from the first notch to the last. It should end up looking like the marks on a ruler. These sections will each act as an indicator for where you’re going to drill the holes to insert the foam mixture.
3. Drill then vac
Attach the 5/8-inch masonry bit to your drill and set it on a low setting. Slowly drill into the concrete until it goes through the concrete. If you run it too fast, you could cause cracks in the concrete and overheat the bit, causing it to get dull quickly. Repeat this process for each of the marks that you make with the chalk.
Take the shop vac and remove the concrete dust from each of the holes as you go. Save some of the dust since you’ll need it later when you add the new concrete to patch it all up.
4. Cut back along the edge of the driveway – jack up the slab
Use a jack to jack up the slab. Even with the expansion properties of the foam – it is good practice to assist the foam with a jack so the slab is perfectly raised. Only a jack can do this precisely.
5. Filler up!
Prep & mix.
Pour Part A & B (test amount) in a quart bucket.
Test mix. Mix for 15 seconds. Use a drill with mix attachment for a thorough mix. See how fast it rises. This is critical and will give you a good idea of how quickly this foam mixes and sets. So you need to move quickly
6. Fill the holes with concrete to conceal the injecting holes.
Need help doing the job? Hire a pro!
What does a professional charge to level my driveway?
It depends on the size of your driveway and how much foam they have to use.
Count on a contractor charging you least $2500-$4000 to inject foam into your residential driveways, if not more. Foam slab jacking costs less than half of replacing your driveway.
If you were to replace your entire driveway with concrete (remove and replace) it would cost upwards of $8000-12,000 – again, depending on the size.
You can do option 1 or 2 for less than half.
FAQs
1. Why do you recommend Secure Set kits for lifting the driveways instead of the mix in a bucket and pour method?
Good question. The mix and pour method can be messier and harder to “fill” in all the areas without drilling a lot of holes to pour in the foam.
Many times the dirt and gravel that is removed from your driveway is the result of water erosion and it often occurs in various areas across your driveway. It does not just occur in 1 spot. So you will need to reach that area of the driveway and can easily do it with the hose extension that you put on the spray hose.
2. What are the specs of the Secure Set Kit?
This is a 4 lb. high-density polyurethane foam, 10 cu. ft. kit, with 70 psi compressive strength, and a load-bearing capacity of 10,080 lbs. per square foot.
3. Can you use this to fill voids under concrete floors in buildings or in warehouses?
Yes. You may want to dig a small hole under the floor 1st to determine the volume of foam you will need. This is not always possible but is a good recommendation.
4. What about temperatures? Can I apply it within any temperature range?
No. It is best to have the tank contents between 70-90 degrees F before application. If you store it in your house for a few days this should get you to the desired temperature.
Don’t apply it when it is too cold out either (below 60 degrees F outside).
5. Can you raise a pool deck with polyurethane foam injections?
6. Is polyurethane concrete raising cheaper than concrete replacement?
Yes. It is often several thousands cheaper than replacing your driveway or even repairing sections of slab. Concrete repair jobs are very expensive compared to DIY Slab Jacking.
7. Why is polyurethane concrete raising better than Mud Jacking?
Traditional mud jacking is messier and does not last as long as the mud often washes out and the concrete slab may sink again when the void forms a second time.
8. Does foam jacking last?
Yes, foam jacking is a long-term solution to a driveway that is sinking. Once poured or sprayed into the hole it will dry (cure) quickly and remain permanently. It is a solid that does not dissolve naturally and will last decades longer than mud jacking.
9. Can you pour concrete over existing concrete?
It is possible but NOT recommended since the concrete will likely crack since it was poured and cured ad different times. It is best to always pour a single slab at one time.
Raise Concrete with Foam Summary
Leveling a concrete slab by using polyurethane foam is quick and not too challenging if you have the proper tools & time to do the job.
Using the steps mentioned above, you shouldn’t have an issue finishing the job in under a few hours, depending on if you use a pump or pour in your foam.
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If you are looking for the best American-built hand tools it makes sense to check out this Round Point Shovel. It is made by Bully Tools, one of the best hand & garden tool manufacturer in the Steubenville, Ohio.
Everyone knows Channellock Pliers are the best pliers you can get. They are rugged and durable and can be passed down to your children once they are old enough for tools. I still have a pair from my dad that is over 40 years old and still works great to this day. They have been in business for over 100 years.
There might be complications along the way, such as small cracks or even rocks sitting under the slab.
Take it easy and slow, and you’ll be good to go in no time.
Remember, safety hazards are often overlooked. Safety comes first.
Don’t do any concrete work without protection.
Check your equipment before, and clean it all afterward to save yourself some time in the future. Good luck!
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