Concrete lifting is an affordable and effective fix for cracked, sunken and uneven slabs. Also referred to as slabjacking or concrete raising, the process works to lift a slab back to its original position. Once complete, the surface is stable and safe for use.
If your Salt Lake City property has a damaged slab, can you get it lifted in the winter? Or will you have to wait until spring arrives?
The temperature is the deciding factor, and if it’s freezing cold outside, you may have to hold off on concrete lifting for now – but contacting a professional slabjacking contractor for a consultation is a smart move. Here, the Lift-Up Concrete team explains.
Concrete Lifting Can Be Done if it’s Warm Enough
In Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah area, the cold season isn’t all that cold. Temperatures rarely dip below zero, and the daily high is typically between 23 and 47 degrees.
When it’s relatively warm outside, concrete lifting may be possible. So, if the thermometer has been hitting at least 32 degrees on a daily basis, a slabjacking contractor might suggest moving forward with your project. With chillier temperatures, the cement slurry mixture used to lift and stabilize your concrete may take longer to fully set. However, that won’t affect the final results.
Freezing Temperatures Mean Waiting on Concrete Lifting
December and January are the coldest months in Utah, and in Salt Lake City, the ground does freeze solid at times. When the temperature falls below the freezing point, concrete lifting projects must be postponed.
Here at Lift-Up Concrete, LLC, we enjoy being outside in the cold. We would happily go ahead with slabjacking in sub-zero weather if we could – but the truth is, concrete raising simply can’t be done until the temperature rises. This is the case for a few reasons:
The process – To complete a slabjacking project requires several small, strategically placed holes to be drilled through the concrete down into the soil voids or empty spaces below. When the ground is frozen solid, this task can be beyond the bounds of possibility.
The slurry mixture – With concrete lifting, the specialized cement slurry that is pumped through the holes drilled in a slab is what lifts a slab back into position. When it’s bitterly cold outside, the slurry can freeze inside the hydraulic pump, making it impossible to finish the job.
The results – Freezing temperatures cause the soil to expand, and once the ground thaws, it contracts. This changes the structure of the soil voids, and if concrete is lifted when it’s freezing outside, the work may need to be repeated to ensure that the slab is stable.
Taking Care of Your Concrete in the Wintertime
As you can see, scheduling concrete lifting isn’t always an option in the winter. But the cold weather months can make concrete damage worse – and you don’t want bigger problems in the spring.
Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent additional damage to the concrete surfaces at your Salt Lake City property. Here’s what professional slabjacking contractors recommend:
- Remove snow and ice as soon as possible. If left in place, moisture will infiltrate the slab when the outside temperature rises, further compromising its integrity.
- Use sand or gravel instead of deicing salts. The chemicals these products contain actually make it easier for melting snow and ice to seep down into a slab.
- Check your gutter downspouts. If any are aimed to send water toward a concrete surface, redirect the flow to avoid increasing issues with settlement and cracking.
Also, if it’s your driveway that’s damaged, consider parking on the street until the concrete lifting work is completed. Deicing salts are often used on roadways and parking lots in Salt Lake City, and your car tires can transfer the chemicals to your driveway.
Be Ready for Concrete Lifting When Spring Arrives
If you’re thinking that concrete lifting might be the right solution for your damaged slabs, winter might not be the best time to schedule the project. That said, you can and should go ahead and contact a professional slabjacking contractor.
Most, including the team here at Lift-Up Concrete, offer free consultations throughout the year. We can come out to your Salt Lake City property at any time, and if you turn to us, you can expect an honest opinion. While concrete raising works for most sunken, cracked or tilted slabs, it isn’t always appropriate – and if slabjacking isn’t your best option, we’ll let you know.
Also, if you schedule a consultation, you’ll receive a free estimate for your concrete lifting project. At Lift-Up Concrete, we’re completely transparent in our pricing, and you’ll know your expected costs before we begin our work.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Lift-Up Concrete
Do you have questions about concrete raising? Would you like to know how much it will cost to stabilize and restore the cracked, uneven or sunken slabs at your northern Utah property?
Either way, Lift-Up Concrete is the company to call. We’re ready to provide the information you need, and with our extensive experience in slabjacking, you can count on our professional team to get the job done right – and for an affordable price. For more on our services, or to schedule a no-cost, no-pressure concrete lifting consultation at your Salt Lake City home or business, contact us today.
