3 Easy Steps to Make It Last
1. Raise the Grade Around the Edges of Your Concrete
After lifting, the soil around your slab might be low, especially along the edges. Low spots contribute to pooling water and leave room for uninvited pests.
- Add and compact clean fill soil along slab edges where the ground has settled.
- Gently slope (grade) the soil away from your concrete so water naturally flows off and away.
- Monitor for pests regularly and keep landscaping tidy to prevent burrowing.
A higher, properly sloped grade supports the slab and helps stop erosion before it starts.
2. Improve & Maintain Proper Water Drainage Solutions
Water is the number one reason lifted concrete sinks again. If water runs toward your slab or sits beside it, it can wash out the soil under your repair, or weaken the soils surrounding your llifted concrete, causing the soils beneath the concrete lifting material to shift in their place. Do this regularly:
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean, and point them at least 6 feet away from your concrete.
- Add downspout extensions or other drainage solutions like French drains where water tends to pool.
- Check after heavy rain for standing water near your concrete and correct any low spots.
Good drainage protects the base under and around your slab and dramatically extends the life of your lifting repair.
3. Protect Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Foam from UV Rays
Polyurethane concrete lifting foam is strong and long‑lasting underground, but any exposed foam at joints or along slab edges can slowly break down in direct sunlight, causing the foam to lose its hydrophobic properties
- After lifting, look for exposed foam beside or through cracks, joints, or slab edges.
- Cover exposed foam with landscaping materials such as soil, rock, mulch, or a suitable sealant or coating once the grade has been raised.
- Re‑check each season to make sure foam has not become visible again if soils shift.
Shielding the foam from UV rays keeps it performing properly so your lifted concrete stays stable for decades.
FAQs About Concrete Lifting Maintenance
How often should I perform concrete lifting maintenance?
You should inspect and maintain lifted concrete at least twice a year-once before winter and again in the spring. Regular concrete lifting maintenance helps catch small issues early and prevents cracks, pooling water, and soil erosion that can lead to repeat settlement.
How do you prevent a concrete slab from sinking?
Good drainage and simple routine maintenance are the best ways to keep a concrete slab from sinking again. Your goal is to keep water and pests under control and protect any exposed lifting foam from sunlight so it keeps its strength and hydrophobic properties.
How does pest control fit into concrete lifting maintenance?
Pests like rodents can burrow under the foam beneath your slab, causing voids. As part of concrete lifting maintenance, keep landscaping tidy, apply pest control treatments, and seal entry points around the slab to prevent further damage.
How long does concrete lifting last?
- Concrete lifting with polyurethane foam-also called polyjacking or foam jacking-can often last 30–50+ years when properly installed and maintained.
- Mudjacking typically has a shorter lifespan because the heavier slurry is more prone to washing out or breaking down over time. When not properly installed or maintained, any slab can settle again within as little as 1 year.
Why should I raise the grade around my lifted concrete?
Raising and re‑sloping the soil around your slab helps water flow away instead of pooling at the edges, which reduces the chance of erosion and makes it harder for pests to burrow along the slab edges.
How do I raise the grade around my concrete slab?
Add clean fill soil where the ground has settled, then gently slope it away from the concrete and lightly compact it. This supports the slab edges, improves drainage, and helps keep water and pests away.
Does raising the grade help prevent my concrete from sinking again?
Yes. Proper grading keeps water from sitting against the slab and washing out the soil, while also reducing pest activity along the edges—both key factors in preventing repeat settlement.
Expert Concrete Lifting Maintenance Advice
At Slab-Jack Kings, we don’t just lift your concrete—we help you protect your investment for the long run.
Noticed sinking, cracking, or pooling water around your concrete? Our team can inspect your slabs and recommend the right fix.
Call 204-509-3501 or request a free estimate online.
