When the slabs of a concrete floor buckle or shift, it is most likely due to pockets of empty space that have formed underneath. To resolve this issue, many individuals schedule slab undersealing, which is a form of industrial concrete floor repair that injects a filler beneath the slabs to even their surfaces. Below, learn more about how this process works and the specific benefits. 

What Is Undersealing Used For? 

Slab undersealing is performed to correct the level of a concrete slab with issues like curling or shrinkage. Curling floor slabs, which is when a slab bends up or down at the edges, are typically caused by improper curing. During curing, water evaporates from the wet concrete. If the surface of the slab cures too quickly, like on a sunny day, shrinkage and curling can occur. This creates voids under the slabs that form a dangerous and uneven slab surface. For example, in a warehouse with a concrete slab floor, driving heavy machinery or moving pallets of materials over slabs with gaps underneath them can cause rocking and shifting. This will make the slabs uneven, and the floor an unsafe work surface for employees and standard business operations. This necessitates industrial concrete floor repair. 

What Is the Process of Slab Undersealing?

To perform this form of industrial concrete floor repair, a qualified contractor will drill holes in the slab to access the empty pockets of space underneath. Then, they will use an injection gun to pump in a filler material, which is typically a polyurethane or polymer foam that will expand in the given space. A leveling device will monitor the evenness of the slabs with one another, and the contractor will continue to add the filler in 15-minute intervals. This is done to allow the foam adequate time to expand fully before adding more. Lastly, the holes made in the slab will be filled and sealed. 

What Are the Benefits?

No professional wants to work on an uneven floor, but in industrial settings, this is a significant hindrance. Buckled slabs in a concrete floor cause all sorts of business headaches, including material handling delays like tipped loads, the liability of injury to employees, and damaged wheels and tires on the machinery driven over the uneven slabs. Slab undersealing prevents these issues and ensures the floors are even for smooth operation every day. 

Whether you need concrete slab undersealing, foundation repair, or another stabilization method, call on T. Luckey Sons. Based in Harrison, OH, they are a worldwide company with over 40 years of experience in slab jacking, soil stabilization, and concrete lifting. You can trust their talented team to complete projects on time and within budget. Call (513) 353-2345 to speak to a staff member, or visit their website to learn more about their industrial concrete floor repair services.