You already have a long to-do list — should concrete maintenance be a priority?

As a homeowner, you have plenty to take care of, from yard work to home repairs and renovation projects. But by adding concrete maintenance to your annual list of chores to complete around the house, you will keep all concrete structures in good condition and prevent more expensive repairs in the future.

Driveways Require Attention

Your concrete driveway takes a beating. If any area of your property needs concrete maintenance, it’s the driveway. Your cars leak oil and other fluids on the surface. Snow and ice build up in the harsh winter months. Your driveway has to be functional, but you also want it to look good. After all, it’s one of the first areas others see — it can make or break your home’s curb appeal.

Caring for your driveway means keeping it sealed. Experts generally recommend deep-cleaning then resealing a concrete driveway once every two years, but it depends on how much use it gets, and the weather conditions in your region. You may have to pressure wash it and seal it once a year if it’s severely stained or the surface is scaling.

In general, try not to use de-icing salts on your driveway — the accelerated freeze/thaw cycle causes it to break down more quickly. Also, try to eradicate stains as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming permanent.

Seal Your Pool Deck

Concrete maintenance is vital for your pool deck. This structure supports your pool liner, plus you want it to look beautiful in the summer. It’s important to seal your pool deck regularly so it can withstand exposure to chlorine and other pool chemicals and maintain its smooth surface through every season.

Protect Your Patio

Since it’s close to your garden, your patio gets dirty. Your guests may drop a drink accidentally, staining the concrete. Think about all the foot traffic your patio gets — it’s probably more than all your other concrete surfaces combined.

Applying a durable sealant can keep your patio from showing its age, but first thoroughly sweep and pressure wash the surface. Make sure cracks and holes are filled as well. You could also paint the patio to fit into your backyard design and match your style.

Get Prompt Repairs — Call Our Team

While regular concrete maintenance is a good preventive measure, it’s important to keep a watchful eye out for any major problems. If your concrete starts to crack, sink or buckle, what should you do? Call Lift-Up Concrete, and we will come out and assess the damage. Using the time-tested repair method known as slabjacking, we can even out and restore badly damaged concrete until it looks like new. Contact us today for your free quote!

It may come as a surprise, but rodents can ruin concrete faster than nearly anything else!

From patios to pool decks, mice, voles and rats burrow in and make their homes exactly where they are unwanted. If you’ve been noticing sinking, crumbling and caving in your concrete surfaces, you may find that rodents are to blame.

What to Watch For

First, rodents can ruin concrete by tunneling underneath it. By removing the soil that provides the stable foundation for your concrete steps or patio, they’re creating a void that threatens the stability of the concrete structure.

With no supportive earth beneath, the concrete slab will sink, causing cracking and crumbling. The unsightly surface compromises your home’s aesthetics and creates dangerous trip hazards.

Rodents can also ruin concrete by chewing through it. A solid concrete slab isn’t susceptible to their burrowing, but aging, weak and crumbling concrete is no match for determined rodents. They can chip away at the concrete structure and weaken it even further.

How to Eradicate Rodent Invaders

Homeowners with rodent problems have to know what to do when faced with these issues, because acting as soon as possible could save your concrete from serious damage.

First, clean up your yard. Rake up dead leaves and foliage that could serve as a food source or nesting material for these critters. Also, treat your lawn with insect repellent regularly throughout the year. Put birdseed indoors, and don’t leave pet food outside. Keep your trash and recycling bins covered securely, and store them in your garage if possible.

If rodents can’t find anything to eat near your home, they’re much less likely to hang around.

Clean up dead branches and stack firewood inside your garage so they no longer have a place to call home. Trim bushes and trees, and use mulch minimally. Mice love to burrow into mulch because of its insulating properties.

Once you’ve removed their food sources and hiding places, put traps in strategic locations, such as next to your concrete staircase, or where the corner of your home and concrete patio meet.
Rodents love peanut butter, so use this as your trap bait. When you catch a rodent, make sure to place it in a sealed bag and dispose of it right away, using gloves to protect yourself from disease.

How to Fix the Damage

Once you’ve taken care of your rodent problem, it’s time to fix your damaged concrete. If rodents have burrowed underneath and caused the concrete to sink, slabjacking is an affordable, effective repair method. Injecting grout underneath the slab will restore the secure foundation that the rodents destroyed, and it will raise the slab back to its previous, even level.

Talk to the team at Lift-Up Concrete for more information about how rodents can ruin concrete, and how slabjacking can work for you.

Concrete lifting, popularly known as slabjacking, isn’t a new concrete repair method; it’s been
widely used for years. But with modern tools and advanced grout mixtures, it’s now more
effective than ever.

You may be surprised to learn just how effective slabjacking can be in areas you thought were
damaged beyond repair. Don’t write off your sinking concrete just yet — there may be hope in the cost-effective, speedy repair solution known as slabjacking.

The following four areas can benefit from professional slabjacking:

1.Your Business Parking Lot

Sure, slabjacking can raise your sidewalk or a sunken portion of your driveway, but what
about the uneven areas in your company’s parking lot?

When concrete parking lots sink, business owners worry about how it looks and how it could
affect their customers and employees. A commercial property that appears to need
maintenance doesn’t contribute positively to your business’ reputation. Also, trip-and-fall
injuries are a real threat, and evening out your concrete could reduce this risk.

Believe it or not, it doesn’t matter how big your parking lot may be — slabjacking has the
power to handle large areas.

2.Your Tilting Porch

Do you have a porch that’s tilting away from your home?

The cause may be shifting concrete footings. Soil erosion and settlement can compromise the
stability of your porch’s concrete footings, but slabjacking can help move them back into their
original position and guard against further movement.

You will be free to safely enjoy backyard barbecues on your deck once again!

3.Your Sinking Basement Floor

Slabjacking works inside your home as well as outside. When your basement floor cracks and
one half begins to sink, your first instinct is to hire an expensive foundation repair company.

You should definitely have the problem inspected by a foundational engineer, but don’t
discount slabjacking as a potential repair option. Strategic concrete lifting targeted to
problematic areas could put a stop to the problem, as long as the root cause of the foundation
trouble, such as soil erosion, is addressed as well.

4.Your Cracking Pool Deck

Your backyard pool is a gathering place for neighbors, family and friends in the hot, dry
summer months. You want it to look inviting and you want your pool area to be a safe
environment where everyone can cool off.

What do you do when a section of your concrete pool deck starts to sink? Not only does it
look unsightly and create a trip hazard, it could also damage your pool’s liner — that’s an
expensive fix.

Slabjacking can stabilize a shifting pool deck and make those cracks disappear, and all for a
small fraction of the price of complete pool deck replacement.

Want to learn more about how slabjacking can help restore your home or business property? Call Lift-Up Concrete today to get a free quote for your project.

Is slabjacking the fast, easy concrete repair you’re looking for? Will it restore your stairs, driveway, walkway or patio within your desired timeline? Most importantly, is it a repair that will last?

The slabjacking process is straightforward, and is usually completed in less than a day, but time frames vary based on the extent of the job. Depending on whether you’re looking for a major or minor residential, commercial or municipal repair, the time invested in the project may be different.

The First Visit

It’s important to get an in-person assessment from your concrete lifting contractor before you commit to a slabjacking project. At this meeting, the contractor will do a full examination of the issue you’re trying to fix and offer their best recommendation as to the appropriate solution.

Besides giving you a cost analysis, they will also estimate how long it will take them to complete the job. At this point, you can decide if you want to move forward.

Project Day

On the day the project will be completed, your contractor will arrive with all of the tools and materials needed to handle the repair. The first step in the process involves drilling a hole in the concrete. While this won’t make too much of a mess, it can get dusty.

Next, the contractor will attach a hydraulic pump to the hole. They will use this machine to transport a stabilizing concrete slurry mixture underneath the sunken slab. This grout displaces the air and shifting soil that previously made for an unstable foundation for the concrete structure.

As it gradually fills the void, it will effectively jack up the slab to its previous even level. Again, this isn’t a messy procedure, and it’s only as noisy as a lawnmower. The gas-powered pump completes the job quickly and efficiently.

After the slab has reached its target level, the contractor will patch and fill the hole they drilled with regular concrete. While it won’t match the color of the rest of the slab exactly, over time it will fade and become less noticeable.

Altogether, the project shouldn’t take more than a few hours for the most basic repair, but for lifting a large area, expect a full day of work.

You’ll be able to walk on the raised surface immediately, and vehicles can drive on lifted concrete within four to six hours.

Compare to a Complete Replacement

Besides the overwhelming cost saving slabjacking offers over concrete replacement, there is a major difference in how long the job takes, too.

Replacing concrete involves quite a few additional steps. First, the contractor must excavate. This is a time-consuming, extensive process that can ruin nearby landscaping. Then you have to make sure you have the right permits to legally rebuild the concrete structure, especially if you’re making changes. After the actual building is complete, waiting for the concrete to cure can take weeks or even months.

There is no doubt about it — the fastest concrete repair option is slabjacking. Contact Lift-Up Concrete today to get a quote and learn more about the process.

Tree root sidewalk damage makes a mess of concrete and creates major trip hazards. But when encroaching tree roots start to make your sidewalk buckle or sink, ripping it out and re-pouring it isn’t your only option. Concrete lifting, otherwise known as slabjacking, may offer a more cost-effective and convenient solution.

Are Your Sidewalks Safe?

Are you responsible for keeping your sidewalks hazard-free and safely walkable? Talk to your city or town. In some cases, the city is responsible for the cost of repairs. In other situations, even though the city may technically own the land between your lot and the street, the homeowner is responsible for the repairs.

Every municipality is different, and the only way you will know if it’s your responsibility is to contact the town directly to find out. If you are responsible and you have severe tree root sidewalk damage, the town may issue a citation to force you to make the necessary repairs.

What You Should and Shouldn’t Do

What shouldn’t you do? Don’t cut the roots of the tree that’s causing the damage. Unless you get approval from the city, cutting the tree roots could result in a fine. Not only that, it isn’t an effective way to solve the problem. They will simply grow back, and you’ll just delay the issue.

Also, don’t depend on tree growth inhibitor products. They won’t produce the desired effect. You will only make the roots grow larger, because this treatment diverts nutrients from the leafy crown to the roots.

What you should do? Start looking for help right away. You don’t want to wait until you’re close to the end of your repair deadline. Call concrete contractors to find out who is experienced in this area and who has a plan to solve your tree root sidewalk damage.

How Concrete Lifting Works

While concrete lifting can’t help lower a slab once it’s been raised, it is a method that can be used to raise a sinking section of concrete. You could also use it to make a section level with the raised area.

The first step in slabjacking is to drill a small hole into the section of concrete to be raised. Then a specialized grout is pumped beneath the surface. It raises the slab until it’s even, and the trip hazard is gone. Then the hole is sealed and the sidewalk is fully functional once again.

Repairs vs. Replacement

You should consider the cost — for the most part, concrete repair is less expensive than concrete replacement. Excavating and building a new sidewalk will require more time, and you must get work permits and city approval. Concrete lifting could potentially solve tree root sidewalk damage in less than a day, for a much lower price.

Contact Lift-Up Concrete today to schedule a time when we can examine the problem and see if slabjacking is the right repair method for your situation.

Under what circumstances is a concrete lifting building permit required?

You want to make repairs to your property as soon as possible, but you don’t want to violate local building code in the process. That will only mean more expenses and frustration for you in terms of citations and fees.

It’s smart to plan your concrete repair project ahead of time, and that includes researching the building code that applies to you, depending on the town you live in.

Making Repairs vs. Building a New Structure

In general, a homeowner or contractor who is building a new structure versus someone who is only making repairs to an existing structure is going to be subject to more code restrictions. For example, applying for a permit to build a shed will be much more involved applying for a concrete lifting building permit to repair a small section of your driveway, if it’s needed at all.

Structural vs. Nonstructural

Most homeowners assume that if a project involves altering a structure, a permit is needed. If the project involves repairing a nonstructural element, they can forego the permit application process.

While this perception is occasionally accurate, it’s better to assume that a permit is always necessary, because in many towns, the regulations are much stricter than you might think. For example, in Logan, Utah, replacing or changing existing stone, brick or concrete requires a permit.

On the other hand, in Orem, Utah, you can repair a concrete patio or porch without city approval, but only if it doesn’t have a roof.

Each municipality has its own building code, and though many regulations are the same, a concrete lifting building permit may be required in one town but not in a neighboring city.

Private vs. Public Property

If you want to repair a sunken sidewalk in front of your home, you will almost always have to apply for a permit. Sidewalks are built on public land, so you cannot repair any damage without city approval.

The Application Process

To apply for a building permit, contact your town’s zoning office. You will have to submit an application and pay the required fee up front. They may request additional information if you are using a contractor to complete the repair work, such as proof of the company’s certifications. Once your concrete lifting building permit is issued, work can begin.

Lift-Up Concrete is fully licensed and insured, ready to help with all types of concrete repair projects, from sidewalks to stairs. We will help you obtain the necessary concrete lifting building permit and complete the work on schedule.

Slabjacking: It’s a cost-effective way to fix that crack in your driveway or those sinking concrete steps.

What’s also great about slabjacking?

It’s fast. The entire process, from evaluation to completion, takes less than a day. And you can start walking, driving and even dancing on your concrete just hours after the job is done.

Interested in learning more? These are the four main slabjacking steps that make old, sinking concrete nice and even again.

1. Assess the Surface

Slabjacking isn’t for amateurs. Sure, you may be able to find the equipment online or in a hardware store, but the knowledge of how concrete responds is gained over time and the course of many successful repair jobs.

Hire a professional who will carefully examine the issues, find the source and plan a targeted repair approach. At this point, you get a free estimate to help you decide if you want to continue.

2. Drill Small Holes in Key Locations

The first step for the technician is to use a powerful drill to accurately position a few small holes in key areas of the concrete surface. These holes penetrate the slab, making a path for the incoming grout to flow and stabilize the structure.

3. Pump Specialized Mixture Underneath the Slab

Once the holes are drilled, a hydraulic pump transmits a special mixture through a nozzle positioned over the hole. This grout flows underneath the slab, lifting it back into place. Eventually, the grout will harden and provide a permanent fix.

4. Finish Filling Holes and Seal All Cracks

The fourth and final step involves refinishing the surface of the slab or structure. The holes and any cracks are filled. This is necessary both for cosmetic reasons and practical reasons.

Not only does it look better when cracks are filled, it also prevents further degradation. Repairing cracks ensures no water gets underneath the slab and further erodes the soil, which could potentially lead to more sinking. The surface is sealed and it is then ready for use within a couple of hours.

Lift-Up Concrete handles the slabjacking process with ease, whether you need repairs for your driveway, pool deck, staircase or sidewalks. Contact us today, and get the process started with a free estimate. Soon, your concrete won’t be an embarrassment, an eyesore or a liability. It will look as good as new.

A commercial concrete inspection is vital — for your safety and your budget. It reveals underlying problems that, if attended to right away, can prevent customer and employee injury, and more expensive repairs.

Companies rely on concrete to build sidewalks, steps, parking lots and more because it’s one of the longest-lasting, most durable surfaces available. However, it’s not invincible.

Eventually, wear and tear from regular use and exposure to weather extremes gets the best of even the strongest concrete structure. The key is to spot this degradation before it progresses too far. That’s where a commercial concrete inspection helps.

Can you remember the last time you scheduled a concrete checkup for your business property?

Regular Maintenance Checks Are Necessary

Think about what commercial concrete does for you. It provides a smooth, even surface for your customers to walk or drive on. It supports staircases customers repeatedly walk on. It’s fully integrated into your commercial property’s design, and if it begins to crack or sink, problems arise.

If customers are injured on your property, that’s your responsibility. While insurance policies will likely cover claims, the annual premium will also spike, leading to years of increased costs.

In addition, when concrete is not repaired, issues can quickly escalate. You can get stuck with a major problem that could have been prevented with a swift, simple fix.

Regular inspections are designed to prevent injuries and minimize damage in an effort to maintain your structures and keep costs low. They are necessary for you, as a commercial property owner or operator, and you’ll get a bonus into the bargain: peace of mind.

Concrete Inspections: What Do They Include?

Every area of your property where concrete is part of the structure is examined, whether it’s a parking lot, a sidewalk or a pillar.

Even more important is who is completing this inspection. You may think that by walking your property, you’ll get a complete idea of your concrete’s condition. This isn’t always true. Yes, you may be able to spot cracks and areas where the surface is beginning to sink, but this material is more complex than you might think.

By trusting commercial concrete inspection to a trained professional, you’re ensuring that someone with an in-depth knowledge will examine your property. They will know exactly how the material was mixed and installed, and how it weathered with age, enabling them to spot subtler changes in the structures.

At Lift-Up Concrete, we’re focused on providing top-tier service at an affordable price. You can afford a free commercial concrete inspection. Call today to schedule an appointment with our team, and find out what shape your concrete is in.

Is it true that homeowners insurance covers concrete lifting?

You can turn to your homeowners insurance for recourse for all types of property damage, but whether it will cover the necessary repairs to your concrete depends on a number of factors.

What do you need to know in order to find out the extent of your policy’s coverage?

Pre-Existing Conditions

When the insurer initially enters into an agreement with you regarding your home, they are assuming that it will stay in basically the same shape it was in at the time of the agreement. For example, a standard insurance policy doesn’t account for shifting soil or structural problems. Your home’s foundation and every concrete structure attached to it is presumed stable and solid.

If your concrete foundation or porch starts to sink, whether due to settling or improper installation, the insurer won’t cover the damage. It will be deemed a pre-existing condition if the problem is due to an installation failure. It may be specifically excluded in the case of a settling foundation.

Did You Add Earthquake Coverage?

The exception to this rule is if you added earthquake coverage to your policy. It’s a possibility that homeowners insurance covers concrete lifting as a repair measure if “movements of the earth” and its related damage is covered under your policy.

Unfortunately, unless you live in an area commonly affected by earthquakes, it would be unusual for you to add this type of coverage to your policy.

Exceptions in the Case of Storm-Related Damage

Another case where homeowners insurance covers concrete lifting could be if a storm damages the home’s concrete. Since homeowners insurance policies cover storm-related damage, sunken concrete could fall under this protection if you can prove that the storm directly caused the issue.

Every Policy Is Different

The first step you should take after discovering concrete damage is to contact your insurance company. Your agent will help you understand the details of your policy and take you through the claims process if you are eligible. Your coverage will depend on your location, property, lender and what you agreed to when the policy was initiated.

Concrete Lifting Is an Affordable Solution

What’s so great about concrete lifting?

When you compare it to the cost of replacing a structure as integral to your home as your driveway or patio, it’s an affordable alternative.

Homeowners insurance covers concrete lifting only in certain scenarios, but Lift-Up Concrete is there for you all the time. Contact us today to learn more and get a free quote for projects of any size.