What Is Poly Jacking in Houston, TX?

In Houston, TX, polyjacking is a specialized concrete leveling and concrete raising method that injects expanding polyurethane foam beneath a slab to lift, level, and stabilize it. The lightweight poly material—manufactured right here in Texas—expands, fills voids, and cures to full rigidity within 30 minutes. Compared with traditional mudjacking or full-depth replacement, polyurethane injection offers faster turnaround, water resistance, and a cost-effective solution for industrial driveways, municipal sidewalks, port patios, heavy-haul loading bays, and even seawall repair zones along the Gulf Coast.

Whether you manage a petrochemical facility, oversee airport tarmacs, or maintain a long-span bridge approach, uneven concrete surfaces create drainage problems, trip risks, and liability. Polyjacking services correct those issues quickly, with minimal disruption, keeping high-value operations online.

Key Takeaways for Houston Polyjacking

• Polyjacking relies on high-density polyurethane foam injection beneath the slab, creating upward lift and stabilizing the soil sub-base—often within minutes.
• Houston’s clay-rich soil and heavy rainfall accelerate settlement; closed-cell foam blocks moisture, an advantage over a mortar-based compound or traditional concrete slurry.
• Smaller injection holes (⅜–⅝ inch) mean less cutting, less mess, and half the cost of full slab replacement while avoiding extra weight.
• Faster cure times let forklift lanes, fleet driveways, and sidewalk leveling areas reopen the same day, reducing downtime and rerouting.
• Choosing a certified foundation repair contractor with proven jack equipment, soil testing capability, and safety protocols ensures long-term success.
• Routine sealing, erosion control, and drainage management extend the benefits of polyjacking and help prevent repeat foundation issues.

Understanding the Science Behind Polyjacking, Level, and Injection

Houston’s expansive clay cycles between swelling and shrinkage, producing void space beneath concrete. The polyjacking process injects a precise volume of expanding polyurethane foam, which exerts gentle, controlled pressure, compresses the soil beneath, and raises the concrete slab back to level grade.

Polyurethane Injection Chemistry

Two liquid resins meet at the injection nozzle, create a high-density foam, and expand up to 25×. The closed-cell structure resists water infiltration, chemical attack, and erosion—critical for coastal petro-terminals and heavy-truck aprons in the Houston area.

How Soil Conditions Affect Foam Jacking

Local clays lose volume during drought, allowing slabs to sink. Polyjacking adds only 4 lbs per cubic foot—far lighter than mudjacking’s 100 lbs per cubic foot—so it stabilizes the soil without overburden. This low mass helps mitigate future settlement and foundation issues.

Benefits of Polyjacking vs. Mudjacking vs. Replacement

Mudjacking remains serviceable for lightly loaded, low-priority areas, while replacement is unavoidable when slabs are shattered or rebar is corroded. Polyjacking provides a cost-effective, fast solution for most industrial, commercial, and municipal concrete leveling challenges.

Polyjacking Injection Process: Step-by-Step Concrete Raising

1. Site Evaluation, Soil Testing, and Slab Mapping

Technicians use ground-penetrating radar, dynamic cone penetrometers, and core samples to locate voids, buried utilities, and reinforcement. The data determines injection grid spacing, foam density, and jack pressure parameters.

2. Drill Injection Holes and Install Ports

Crews drill small holes into the slab in a chessboard pattern, install ports, and connect proportioner hoses. The small holes allow for quick patching and preserve the slab’s appearance—important for corporate campuses and public plazas.

3. Inject Poly Foam and Monitor Level

High-density polyurethane foam is injected in controlled lifts, expanding to fill voids and raise the slab. Laser levels track elevation in real time to avoid over-lifting. If multiple slabs tie together—such as a sidewalk section adjoining a driveway apron—technicians stage lifts to maintain uniform grade.

4. Trim, Patch, and Cure

Foam cures within 30 minutes, reaching design rigidity and full compressive strength. Ports are removed, holes are grouted with color-matched mortar, and joints are sealed for moisture control. Final QC confirms tolerances and slope to drains.

Application Areas: Driveway, Sidewalk, Patio, Pool Deck & Seawall Repair

• Industrial Driveways: Heavy-haul lanes, fleet fueling stations, bus depots
• Sidewalk Leveling: Municipal walkways, transit hubs, pedestrian corridors
• Patio & Plaza Slabs: Corporate courtyards, stadium concourses, event terrace
• Pool Deck & Waterpark Aprons: Closed-cell foam resists chlorine and saltwater spray
• Seawall Repair: Foam injection fills behind-wall voids, stabilizes soil, and mitigates washout at port facilities

By raising concrete with foam instead of pouring new concrete, asset managers avoid long cures, heavy demolition, and landfill fees.

Cost Factors and ROI for Concrete Raising Services in Houston

Pricing depends on slab thickness, lift height, access for rigs, night or weekend scheduling, and structural complexity (post-tension cables, embedded conduits). While polyjacking’s unit cost can exceed mudjacking by $1–$2 per square foot, indirect savings—shorter closures, zero demolition, and fewer liability claims—typically make it half the cost of replacement over a 10-year cycle.

Selecting a Houston Polyjacking Contractor

Look for SPFA-certified crews, calibrated equipment, well-documented safety programs, and a track record in ports, logistics centers, and manufacturing plants. A quality foundation repair contractor provides design calculations, soil data, lift plans, and warranty coverage for material and workmanship.

Contact Us for Polyjacking Services in Houston

Superior PolyLift™ delivers turnkey concrete leveling services in Houston and the Gulf Coast—driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, loading docks, and seawall repair. If sinking concrete surfaces threaten your operations, contact us to schedule a free site evaluation and see how polyjacking can provide an effective solution.