We often get questions about what to do about empty spaces or holes under a concrete slab. Here is our complete guide on how to fix the problem of empty spaces under concrete slabs. If you have problems with sinking or uneven concrete slabs on your property, this article is a great resource that can help you figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it. Using our knowledge of concrete repair and underpinning, we have carefully put together this detailed guide to help you understand where slab voids come from and how to fix them.
Concrete Slab: Slab Repair
How to Make Sense of Slab Voids
What are voids in slabs?
Slab voids are the empty spaces that form under a concrete slab because of things like erosion, soil settlement, or bad building techniques. These holes can cause the building to be unstable, cause concrete to sink, and put people who live or visit the building in danger. Fixing slab voids quickly is important if you want to keep your property safe and secure.
Why Slab Voids Happen
Erosion: If there is too much water around a concrete slab, the soil that holds it up can wear away over time, leaving spaces under the slab.
Poor Soil Compaction: If the soil isn’t packed down well enough during the beginning stages of construction, it can leave gaps that become voids as the soil settles.
Organic Material Decomposition: Over time, roots or other organic materials buried under the slab can break down, which can lead to the formation of voids.
Leaks in the plumbing: If plumbing leaks go undetected, they can soak the soil under the slab, which can cause erosion and voids to form.
Getting to Know Slab Voids
Before you can do anything about slab voids, you need to know that they are there. Here are some of the most common signs that there are holes under a concrete slab:
Sinking or Uneven Concrete: If parts of your concrete slab are sinking or getting uneven, this could be a sign of voids below the surface.
Cracks and Splits: Holes in the concrete slab can cause cracks and splits to form on its surface.
Puddles and Standing Water: Water that pools around the slab could mean there are holes that stop water from draining properly.
How important it is to fix things quickly
Fixing a slab right away is important if you want to stop more damage and avoid bigger, more expensive repairs in the future. If you don’t fix slab voids, the building could become unstable, the property’s value could drop, and residents and visitors could be in danger.
How to Fill a Hole Under a Concrete Slab
Step 1: Check out and evaluate
Before fixing anything, a thorough inspection should be done to figure out how big the hole is and what might be causing it. Professionals who fix concrete, like us, use cutting-edge tools like ground-penetrating radar to find voids without damaging the slab.
Step 2: Making the soil stable
Stabilizing the soil is a must if you want to fix the root cause of the hole. To stabilize the soil, special materials are injected into the holes to fill them and make the soil stronger. The idea behind these materials is that they will expand and pack the soil, making a stable base for the concrete slab.
Step 3: Pour Polyurethane Foam
Injecting polyurethane foam into slab voids is a very effective and efficient way to fill them. Small holes are drilled into the concrete, and the foam is pumped in through them. The foam expands to fill the empty spaces, lifting and leveling the slab as it does so. This method is quick, doesn’t hurt very much, and gives long-lasting results.
Step 4: Raise and level the slab
After the holes are filled and the soil is stabilized, the concrete slab is lifted and leveled back to where it was before. This makes sure the surface is even and stops problems with settlement in the future.
Step 5: Take precautions
To avoid slab voids in the future, it is important to take preventive steps. Some ways to keep this from happening are to have good drainage systems, check the plumbing regularly, and make sure there isn’t too much water around the slab.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fixing voids under a concrete slab is important if you want to keep your property safe and structurally sound. Understanding the causes, noticing the signs, and fixing slab voids right away are all important parts of the process. Using advanced methods like injecting polyurethane foam and stabilizing the soil makes sure that the results are effective and last a long time.
Don’t let slab voids make your home less safe or less valuable. Contact us today to set up a professional inspection and get your concrete slabs back in shape!
