Concrete lifting is a specialized field that demands specific skills, tools, and experience in order to execute properly. Our recent project, involving the restoration of a badly sunken and cracked garage floor, exemplifies the superiority of a company focused on this technology over a company providing multiple services. As such, this blog post explores the benefits of hiring a company that dedicates itself exclusively to concrete lifting and how such specialization leads to successful project outcomes, especially in challenging situations.
The Challenge: A Severely Sunken and Cracked Garage Floor
This project involved a residential garage floor that had severely sunken and cracked over time. The homeowner faced the daunting prospect of a complete floor replacement—an invasive and costly solution. Opting instead for a repair, he sought a more economical and less disruptive alternative. The ultimate goal was not only to lift and stabilize the floor but also to prepare it for a beautiful, long-lasting epoxy finish.
Specialized Expertise: Why It Matters
When the homeowner began searching for contractors, several multi-service companies were hesitant to take on his project. The complexity of getting the floor to lift to the necessary height and doing so without causing further damage was a task they were not equipped to handle confidently. This is a common shortfall among multi-purpose companies—they may have a broader list of service offerings but often lack the deep dive knowledge and specialized tools required for anything other than the simplest of projects. Unfortunately, these non-specialist companies hurt our industry’s reputation by taking on concrete raising projects instead of sticking to their better known expertise of garage floor coatings or waterproofing.
Specialization Over Generalization
Our company, focusing solely on concrete lifting with polyurethane, possesses both the specialized machinery and the technical expertise necessary for such intricate operations. Specialization fosters a deeper understanding of the subtleties involved in our trade, including:
- Optimal Material Choice: We use high-density polyurethane foam that meets rigorous compressive strength standards, similar to those required for infrastructure projects like the Illinois Tollway.
- Precision in Application: Specialized equipment allows us to inject foam accurately and efficiently, ensuring the lift is even and the structural integrity of the floor is maintained.
Process and Execution
The repair process began with an initial assessment to determine the extent of damage and the specific requirements for lifting. Here’s how we addressed the challenge:
- Injecting Polyurethane Foam: We strategically injected high-density polyurethane foam beneath the sunken sections of the garage floor. This material is not only strong but also lightweight and capable of providing a stable substrate without adding excess weight.
- Stabilization and Void Filling: Post-lift, additional material was injected to fill any voids, further stabilizing the slab and preventing future issues.
The result was a level floor ready for the next phase of renovation, proving the efficacy of targeted expertise in concrete lifting.
Collaboration with an Epoxy Specialist
After lifting and stabilizing the floor, the homeowner hired a company specializing in epoxy coatings to finish the surface. This decision to hire another specialist ensured that the floor was not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. The epoxy specialist could focus on surface preparation and the application of high-quality coatings that would last for years.
Long-Term Benefits of Specialization
The long-term advantages of hiring specialists for specific tasks cannot be overstated:
- Higher Quality Results: Specialists bring a level of precision that generalists cannot match.
- Cost-Effectiveness: By doing the job right the first time, specialists reduce the likelihood of future repairs and additional costs.
- Time Efficiency: Specialists are more likely to complete projects on time due to their focused approach and familiarity with specific tasks.
Conclusion: Why Specialize?
This project highlights the benefits of specialization in a field as demanding as concrete lifting. For homeowners, choosing a company that excels in a specific service guarantees superior outcomes, especially in complex scenarios that generalists might shy away from.
Choosing to work with experts in each required field—concrete lifting and epoxy coating in this case—ensured that each phase of the project was handled with the utmost skill and appropriate materials. In the long run, with these jobs done correctly, this homeowner saved money and has the peace of mind knowing that each aspect of the project will stand the test of time.
In our increasingly complex world, the value of deep, narrow expertise cannot be overstated. When it comes to your home and significant investments like the foundation and flooring, it pays to choose specialists who are not just familiar with but are experts in their field. This approach guarantees not just satisfaction but a lasting solution that generalists simply cannot match.
Engage With Us
If you are facing similar challenges with your concrete surfaces, or if you appreciate the precision that specialization brings, we invite you to reach out. Let us show you how our focused expertise can bring about the best in your concrete lifting projects.
