Sometimes, a void is developed under a concrete slab due to erosion, poor maintenance practices, burrowing insects and animals, drought, and other reasons. It can affect the integrity of a foundation and cause cracks in the concrete, and repairing such damages can be a costly affair. These voids can develop underneath pool decks, sidewalks, driveways, and other slabs. A professional Mansfield foundation repair company will know how to fill the voids under concrete slabs and restore the integrity of the foundation’s structure. Much like the renowned expertise seen in concrete slabs Ballarat offers, understanding the intricacies of slab maintenance is pivotal for long-lasting structures. Here this article uncovers what causes a void under a concrete slab and how it can be filled.
What Causes a Void Under a Concrete Slab?
Here listed are some common causes why voids develop under concrete slabs
- Erosion: Soil erosion is the most common reason for the formation of void under a concrete slab. Erosion takes place when excess water is accumulated around a slab which washes away the soil and rocks near the foundation. Water can be accumulated due to leaky plumbing and drainage problems.
- Poor Maintenance Practices: Poor maintenance practices, including delaying slab repair, can contribute to the formation of voids underneath slab foundations.
- Burrowing Insects and Animals: Critters and animals burrowing the concrete slab for months are another major reason for void formation.
- Hydrostatic Pressure: Hydrostatic pressure builds up due to the accumulation of water underneath a slab. The massive pressure buildup further results in uneven and cracked slabs.
- Soil Settlement: Sometimes, the soil is not compacted before building foundations and the settling soil causes voids underneath concrete slabs. Soil compresses unevenly on positioning heavier things on it which results in an uneven foundation.
How to Fill a Void Underneath a Concrete Slab?
A professional Mansfield foundation repair company is well-aware of effective solutions to fill voids formed underneath concrete slabs and foundations. Below-given are some main solutions:
- Foam Injection: This method is used by professionals to fix erosion underneath a concrete slab and foundation. They use polyurethane foam- a high-density foam that reacts and fill the void, expand and seals the cracks, and other defects.
- Mudjacking: This method uses a cement slurry which is known as mud- a mixture of sand and cement, to fill the void underneath the concrete slab. Many homeowners opt for this slab foundation repair method as it is cost-effective.
- Sectional Repair: In the sectional repair method, expert foundation contractors break certain sections of a damaged concrete slab to provide direct access to the underground void. Next, the void is filled with sand, it is compacted, and then a cement mixture is poured to level up the foundation.
Conclusion
Leaving the void underneath concrete slabs or foundations for a long can cause many other major foundation problems. Moreover, damages caused due to voids can be expensive to deal with. The above methods are perfect solutions to fill voids under concrete slabs. However, they require training and experience; therefore, it’s best to leave them to the professional Mansfield foundation repair company. Such companies work with trained experts who know how to fill voids underneath slabs and have the necessary tools and equipment to do the job efficiently.
