Slab Jacking Brisbane

Sunken concrete can be more than just an aesthetic problem. It poses safety risks, such as trip hazards and pooling water that can create further damage. For businesses, this could also mean potential liability issues.  Additionally, uneven or damaged concrete can depreciate the value of your property.

That’s where slab jacking comes in. Slab jacking is a solution used to lift and level sunken concrete slabs, restoring them to their original position. It’s a cost-effective solution that can save you from the expense and inconvenience of completely replacing your concrete slabs.

We are your trusted Brisbane slab jacking service provider at Raise + Relevel. With a 4.9-star rating on Google, we offer commercial, industrial, and residential solutions for your concrete repair needs.

What is Slab Jacking and Why Is It Needed?

Slab jacking, also known as concrete levelling, concrete jacking, concrete lifting, concrete slab lifting, and concrete re-levelling, is used to lift concrete slabs back to their original position. It involves lifting one side of a concrete slab from below, effectively re-levelling it. 

This is achieved by injecting a filler material underneath the slab. The material fills the void created due to soil movement or erosion and expands to provide a stable base, allowing the slab to be raised back to its original position.

This technique is often used in cases where concrete slabs have sunk or become uneven over time. A pattern of holes is carefully drilled into the affected slab, and then a mixture, which could range from a mud-like substance to expanding polyurethane foam, is pumped beneath the slab. 

The pressure from this injection causes the slab to rise, levelling it with the surrounding area.

Brisbane properties are prone to subsidence issues and slab jacking is a common solution. The reason for this problem is the soil conditions in the area. In addition to clay soils, mining activity, extreme weather, tree roots, groundwater extraction, and floodplain location all contribute to the soil problem in Brisbane.

How the Slab Jacking Process Works

Slab jacking (or concrete slab lifting) is a versatile solution to relevel concrete slabs in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, addressing issues like sinking floors and wall cracks.

The process starts with a thorough assessment of the area to identify the extent of the issue and pinpoint the exact spots for precise injection. We then drill small, strategically placed holes into the sunken slab. These holes, roughly an inch in diameter, are large enough for the injection but small enough to be easily patched up later.

The magic happens when we prepare the lifting material – a specially formulated mix of polyurethane resin and expanding foams. This mix is designed to balance, lift, and stabilise.

The resin lifts while the foam provides stability by filling the voids beneath the slab. Injected into the drilled holes, the foam expands and exerts upward pressure on the slab, lifting it back to its original position.

Once the slab is perfectly level, we patch the drilled holes, leaving behind a levelled, stable, and safe concrete surface. This quick and efficient solution causes minimal disruption. 

So, whether you’re dealing with a residential driveway, a commercial walkway, or an industrial floor, slab jacking is a reliable, less invasive, and cost-effective alternative to a complete slab replacement.

Common Causes Behind Sunken Concrete Slabs

Whether you’re dealing with rising dampness in residential areas or require concrete slab jacking for commercial and industrial properties, our team specialises in providing effective slab repairs and releveling solutions.

Slab jacking is the best solution for sinking concrete, jammed doors, crack repairs, and when there’s a need for ground improvement and stabilisation. It is an ideal method for public buildings, residential properties, and commercial establishments.

The most common causes of sunken slabs

These typically boil down to one of three things:

  1. Soil erosion: Heavy rainfalls, leaky pipes, or ineffective drainage systems can wash away the soil underneath your concrete slab, leaving gaps. As the support wears away, the slab starts to sink into these voids, resulting in uneven surfaces.
  2. Poor compaction: If the soil isn’t compacted properly before pouring the concrete, it can lead to trouble. As the soil settles, it can create gaps under the slab, causing it to sink. That’s why getting the site preparation right is vital to the construction process.
  3. Changes in moisture content: The soil’s moisture can drastically affect its volume and weight-bearing capacity. When the soil dries out, it can shrink, creating spaces where the slab can sink. On the other hand, if the soil soaks up too much water, it can lose its structural strength, leading to the slab sinking. This is particularly common with clay soil, typical of Brisbane, which expands when wet and shrinks when dry.

Comparing Slab Jacking Methods

There are two main types of slab jacking methods to consider:

Mudjacking

Also known as slabjacking or concrete lifting, mudjacking is a traditional method used to lift and level sunken concrete slabs. A mixture of water, soil, sand, and cement, often called ‘mud’ or ‘slurry’, is pumped into the voids under the sunken slab. The pressure of this injection causes the slab to rise and returns it to its original position.

Once the desired level is achieved, the holes are patched, and the surface is left to cure. Mudjacking is typically less expensive than polyurethane foam jacking and can be a good option for larger areas that need lifting.

However, it’s important to note that the mudjacking process can be more disruptive and messier than its foam counterpart, and the material can take longer to cure.

Polyurethane foam jacking

This more modern approach to slab jacking uses polyurethane foam instead of a mud mixture. As explained in previous sections, small holes are drilled into the sunken slab and a polyurethane resin injected into the holes. The concrete jacking foam quickly expands, filling the voids beneath the slab and raising it back to its original level.

Polyurethane foam jacking is often quicker and less invasive than mudjacking. The reason lifting concrete with foam is faster is because it hardens quickly, allowing the repaired area to be used almost immediately. Additionally, the polyurethane foam is lighter than mud slurry and less likely to contribute to further soil compaction. However, this method can be more expensive than mudjacking.

Key Benefits of Choosing Slab Jacking

Slab jacking has many advantages and while speed and efficiency are at the top, there is more to appreciate about this particular process.

Advantages of slab jacking

  1. Speed and efficiency: The more traditional methods of dealing with sunken slabs involve excavating the entire area and pouring new concrete, which is a time-consuming and disruptive project. Slab jacking is quicker and, depending on the project size, can usually be completed within a day.
  2. Cost-effective: Slab jacking is typically more affordable than removing and replacing an entire concrete slab. There’s no need to pour all-new concrete or pay the labour costs associated with demolition and replacement.
  3. Minimal disruption: Slab jacking only requires small drill holes to be in the concrete, resulting in minimal disruption to the landscape. Once the process is complete, these holes are filled in, leaving little evidence of the repair.
  4. Environmentally friendly: Since slab jacking utilises the existing slab, it reduces the need for new concrete production, which involves significant energy use and CO2 emissions.
  5. Permanence: If performed correctly, slab jacking provides a long-lasting solution. The materials used in the process, especially in polyurethane foam jacking, are designed to maintain their integrity over time and resist further soil movement and erosion.

When Slab Jacking Works Best

While there are many advantages to slab jacking, it isn’t always the right solution. It’s important to enlist the services of a professional who can advise whether your project is suitable for a slab jacking solution.

As long as your concrete slab isn’t decayed or crumbling, there’s a good chance slab jacking is a good choice. When concrete is so worn it could break apart when lifted, new concrete is a must.

Though the signs of repair are subtle, there will be signs of the patchwork where the holes were drilled, so if aesthetics are important, slab jacking might not be ideal.

If you choose to move forward with slab jacking, it’s equally as important that you address the underlying issue that led to the subsidence in the first place. If there’s poor drainage that causes soil erosion, ensure you carry out drainage repairs.

Slab jacking is a cost-effective solution and it’s much cheaper than a complete concrete replacement. However, it still comes at a cost, especially if you want the quicker, more efficient polyurethane foam method. So, consult with a reputable, professional team to discuss your options.

How Raise and Relevel Can Help

We offer a comprehensive range of services at Raise + Relevel, including slab jacking, concrete crack injection, crack repairs, foundation repairs, and more. We also provide a structural assessment to identify the best solution on the market for your specific situation.

Our slab jacking Brisbane team is fully licensed and insured, with a strong crew of experienced and qualified engineers and technicians. We offer a free consultation to assess your needs and provide you with a quote. We work closely throughout the underpinning process to ensure you’re happy with the results.

The benefits of working with us

  • Fully licensed and insured: We’re a fully licensed and insured company, giving you peace of mind about our high safety and professional standards.
  • Experienced team: Our team is a skilled ensemble of engineers and technicians with extensive slab jacking experience, ensuring efficient, top-quality work.
  • Free consultation: We offer free consultations, providing detailed quotes to help you understand the project scope and costs upfront.
  • High-quality materials: We use only the best materials in our slab jacking process, guaranteeing durable and long-lasting results.
  • Efficient services: We value your time, which is why we deliver fast, high-quality services that minimally disrupt your property and routine.

Once the slab jacking process is complete, we don’t just walk away. We offer follow-up services to ensure your concrete slabs’ continued performance and integrity.

Don’t let sinking concrete or cracked walls compromise the integrity of your property. 

Contact us today for the best services in slab jacking Brisbane. We guarantee a high-quality, efficient service with a product warranty for your peace of mind. Let us help you raise and relevel your property to its former glory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your home is everything to you and your family, so before going ahead with any subsidence repairs, we’ve put together a list of questions our customers should ask:

  1. What actual experience in resin injection does the person quoting my job have?
    We don’t employ salespeople because we prefer to offer solid advice rather than sell a product. The person who provides your quote does the job and has been relevelling homes like yours for over 15 years.
  2. How many homes have you raised and re-levelled?
    Our specialists have raised over 7,000 homes in total and counting.
  3. What guarantee do I get that the solution is permanent?
    If the problem returns, we return. Our materials and workmanship are fully guaranteed under warranty.
  4. How do I know I’m getting the best value?
    We don’t operate from a call centre, we don’t employ salespeople, and with minimal overheads, R+R delivers the best value for every customer.
  5. Can I do it myself?
    Void filling can only be carried out by licensed specialists. Though you may have access to the correct materials and equipment, only licensed specialists have the training required to handle the job safely and efficiently.
  6. How long does it take?
    The timeline will depend on the scope of your job, but a void fill generally takes around four hours to complete the process.
  7. Will the patch be a different colour than my concrete?
    That depends on the colour of your concrete. However, the repairs will be less noticeable on newer concrete.

Why should I choose you?
R+R will deliver you better value, through real experience, with guaranteed results.

Why Raise + Relevel?

Better.

Better quality workmanship for a better price R+R delivers value to our customers by offering the highest quality services at the most competitve price.

Experience.

Over 100 years of genuine experience in relevelling structures – we are ground surgeons.

Guaranteed.

We stand behind the quality of our products and workmanship. Our warranty provides 100-year warranty on our resin products and 50-year warranty on our workmanship – If the problem returns, we return.

FAQ

Your home is everything to you and your family, so before going ahead with any subsidence repairs, we’ve put together a list of questions our customers should ask:

We offer advice, not sales, so we don’t employ salespeople. The person who quotes your job does your job, and has been relevelling homes like yours for over 15 years.

Our specialists have raised over 7,000 homes in total.

If the problem returns, we return. We provide a fully guaranteed warranty on materials and workmanship.

At R+R, we have no call centres, no sales people and minimal overheads, all of which enables us to provide the best value for our customers.

R+R will deliver you better value, through real experience, with guaranteed results.

1
of Combined Experience
1
Homes Relevelled
1
Guaranteed

At Raise + Relevel, experience matters. With a century of combined expertise and over 7,000 homes re-levelled, we deliver lasting results—guaranteed.

100% Product Guarantee

Quality materials built to last

50-Year Workmanship Guarantee

Proven expertise you can trust

Every home is unique. We provide tailored solutions at the best value, ensuring stability without compromise.

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