Monday, May 23rd, 2016
Having a recreational pool is a great way to beat the heat and enjoy the summer. Having an uneven concrete pool deck can pose a safety concern and put a damper on your summer fun.
There are a few options for homeowners wanting to fix their sinking slab pool deck. Before the options are addressed, homeowners need to know what is slab settlement and why it is caused.
Simply stated, slab settlement is the movement a concrete slab experiences when the soil below can no longer support its weight. Most likely the soil under the slab has changed. There are many reasons why the soil below your sinking slab has changed.
- Changes in the soil’s moisture content
- Wash-out of soil under the slab
- Poorly compacted fill soil (one of the most common reasons why)
- Now that you know the reasons why sinking slabs occur, there are a few options for repair
1.) Mudjacking
Mudjacking is an old-fashioned method for lifting concrete. It involves drilling a series of (large) holes throughout the concrete slab, and a cement slurry, or mud, is pumped beneath the slab to fill the void and attempt to lift the slab.
Pros: temporarily lifts concrete slabs
Cons: the slurry is very messy, large holes (2-3”) are drilled in the concrete slab, mudjacking can take days to cure, and the cement slurry is extremely heavy possibly causing the problem to become worse
2.) Total Concrete Replacement
In order to replace concrete, the existing concrete slabs must first be removed. Typically a jackhammer is used to break up the existing concrete slabs into pieces. Often times heavy equipment is needed (such as a backhoe or skid steer) to remove the concrete debris. A fresh layer of concrete is then poured.
Pros: new slab
Cons: the original cause of the problem was never fixed (failing soil), expensive and very disruptive to the property and pool, new concrete takes days to cure, this is a seasonal option
3.) PolyRenewal™
The PolyRenewal™ System is a state of the art approach to repairing sinking concrete. PolyRenewal™ takes the original concept of mudjacking and combines it with modern knowledge and technology. Rather than using a mixture of mud and concrete, this method utilizes high-density polymers to raise slabs. Small holes (penny-sized) are drilled in the sinking slab, structural grade polymers are then injected under the slab. After the void has been filled, the expansion of the polyurethane allows for a precise lift and stabilization of the once sinking slab.
Pros: smaller holes (penny-sized), no disruption, 15 minute cure time, inexpensive waterproof material, environmentally friendly, five-year warranty and can be used year-round
Cons: ultraviolet light can break down the polymers
It seems that the MudJacking and Total Concrete Replacement are not viable options for homeowners wanting to enjoy their pool this summer. In most cases the PolyRenewal™ System can be installed in less than one day, allowing homeowners to enjoy their summer sitting pool-side! Conveniently, Tar Heel Basement Systems offers the PolyRenewal™ System and free estimates to homeowners. Call our office today, so you can start your summer off right.
