Why Should You Have Your Concrete Lifted Before Winter?
Winter is setting in across Canada. The winters in British Columbia are mild, but they still bring colder temperatures and more precipitation. These conditions can adversely affect concrete slabs but can also affect the concrete lifting and levelling process. Maybe you've noticed the concrete slabs on your property have started to sink and settle. maybe you're thinking, "is it too late to have my concrete lifted?" The experts at BC Concrete Lifting are here to answer all your questions! This blog will go over how concrete slabs are affected by winter weather in the Greater Vancouver Area and how these conditions affect the polyurethane concrete levelling process. Keep reading to learn more!
How Does Winter Weather Affect Concrete Slabs?
The wetter winter weather can cause problems for concrete slabs. Concrete combines water, cement and other ingredients, which become more susceptible to cracking and contraction in wetter conditions. When concrete slabs are too wet, the water can seep into the slab and cause it to crack or even break apart. The water also causes the concrete to lose strength, making the slab less stable and more likely to fail. Freezing temperatures can also cause problems for concrete slabs, although it rarely drops below freezing here. The natural freeze/thaw cycle and frost heave can cause cracks in concrete slabs and sinking and settling. If these issues are left untreated, they can cause safety hazards and could mean your entire concrete slab will need to be replaced. Having your concrete lifted and levelled before winter fully sets in will help prevent these issues.
Winter Weather Creates Challenges for the Concrete Levelling Process.
While the temperature outside does play a part in the success of your concrete levelling project, the rain is more of a concern here in the Greater Vancouver Area. The rain does make concrete levelling more challenging, but there is a bit more to it than that. The size of the concrete slab and the drainage systems around it also play a large part. Polyurethane concrete raising can be limited by wet weather but not nearly as much as mudjacking. Our polyurethane foam is hydrophobic and resistant to the elements, so it is largely unaffected by rain. The bigger issue is the ground being too wet. If the soil around and under the slab is saturated with water, the polyurethane concrete levelling process may not be as effective.
Polyurethane Concrete Levelling Can Be Done In The Winter.
Even though there are a few more challenges, polyurethane concrete levelling can be done during the BC winters. Depending on how much rain there is, it can be a bit harder to keep the slab from sinking again than in the summer, but it is still possible. If the ground is too wet, the concrete slab may start to sink again when spring arrives. This is because when soil is wet, it expands and shrinks when it drys. When the ground starts to dry out in the spring, the soil will contract, creating voids beneath the slab, which can cause it to sink and settle again. As a general rule, concrete can be lifted in temperatures down to 0 degrees Celcius. However, as we mentioned, the rain is the issue. If the conditions are too wet, we suggest waiting until the ground has dried.
BC Concrete Lifting Can Level Your Sunken Slabs.
If you have sunken concrete slabs on your property, we can still lift and level them for you! At BC Concrete Lifting, we specialize in lifting and levelling sunken and settled concrete slabs with our long-lasting, durable and environmentally friendly polyurethane foam. We have over 15 years of experience in the concrete and construction industries, and we know how the BC climate can affect concrete slabs. We also know with our expertise and experience, we can help with the best solutions for your sunken and settled slabs. If you have a concrete levelling project you need completed, contact us! We'll have you level in no time.