Improve Your Home With Concrete Lifting Services

Published on: 24 March 2021 Last Updated on: 27 December 2024

As a homeowner, keeping your home safe, comfortable, and attractive will be important. However, problems can sometimes make it difficult for you to achieve this.

Certain issues can affect many aspects of your home, from the aesthetic appeal to the safety levels. So, getting these problems addressed by a professional with specialist knowledge and tools is important. One of the problems you may experience at your home is areas of sinking concrete.

Most such homes consider taking help from concrete lifting companies. However, as a homeowner, it’s common to worry about whether you should opt for one or not. Here’s an article that’ll help you –

Sinking Concrete & How It Might Affect Your Home

Sinking concrete can affect many areas of your home, such as the sidewalk, the steps to the property, the patio area, and more. Once these issues arise, you must ensure they are sorted out quickly. Otherwise, your home could suffer.

You also need to consider the cause of the sinking concrete, which could indicate serious foundation issues. Finding a reputable concrete lifting company will enable you to resolve the issue and improve your home. In this article, we will look at how an experienced professional can help to improve your home.

About Concrete Lifting

Concrete Lifting or Concrete Leveling is a process of leveling or lifting up sunken concrete slabs out of the ground. The process involves injecting concrete material beneath the concrete slab to lift it up or level it. Typically, the material used fills up the void created under the slab. When it solidifies or dries, it creates a strong surface under the slabs.

There are different concrete lifting methods, and the most common ones include –

Polyurethane foam concrete lifting
Stone slurry grout concrete lifting
Mudjacking

How Is Concrete Lifting Done?

Concrete lifting is a heavy-duty task. But, with the right skills, tools, and training, concrete lifting is an easy and straightforward process. It also requires a basic understanding of the matters in use and the method utilized for lifting up the concrete slabs.

Here’s the detail of the process –

First, the holes are drilled in different locations strategically.
Then, it involves pumping a component through the holes and underneath the concrete slabs, where it fills any voids and creates enough backpressuback pressure to cause the concrete to rise.
They patch the drill holes when the concrete is in a specific place.

Different Types Of Concrete Lifting

While the process may involve using different types of concrete materials, the lifting process can also require different methods beyond the three we mentioned above.

Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Method

Lifting Compound: In this process, a mixture of crushed agricultural limestone is used with water. The mixture forms a strong and dense base under the newly lifted concrete. Sometimes, they add Portland cement to the mix using extra strength.

Drill Hole size: the drill hole used for this leveling method is close to 1 inch in diameter. It can also be about the size of a quarter.

Polyurethane Foam Concrete Lifting

Lifting compound: The lifting compound for this method includes two-part polyurethane foam as the lifting substance. When they inject it under the concrete slab, the substance can lift up the concrete slab. Then, that expansion puts pressure on the slab that’s settled on the ground.

Drill Hole Size: The drill hole size that’s needed for foam concrete leveling is close to ⅝ inch in diameter.

Mudjacking

Lifting Compound: Mudjacking is a process that includes water, soil, and sand as a mix and they are pumped at a high pressure and speed to lift up the settled concrete. You can also use Portland cement and add it to this mixture to make it stronger and more stable.

The drill holes have to be bigger in size for there to be a high pumping pressure. Typically, the Mudjacking drill Holes are 2 inches in Diameter.

Some of the Benefits of Having the Work Done-

There are lots of ways in which you can improve your home by getting concrete lifting carried out. This will help you strengthen the affected areas around your property and also increase its longevity. Some of these are:

Improving Safety Levels:

As mentioned earlier, a range of safety issues can arise when you have to sink concrete in your home. The main issue you are likely to experience is people tripping and falling because of the uneven floor surfaces.

As areas of your floors start to sink further, they can become very uneven and difficult to walk on. This can create serious difficulties for some people, such as those who are elderly and at increased risk of falling.

In addition, those with mobility issues and even younger kids could be at increased risk of trips and falls that could cause all sorts of serious injuries. Having your sinking concrete addressed will help you improve safety levels at your home by reducing the risk of trips and falls.

Increasing Aesthetic Appeal:

Another thing that will happen when you have this work carried out is that you can improve the aesthetic appeal of your home.

When you have areas of sinking concrete, it can have a really damaging impact on the appearance of your home.

Sinking concrete can make your property look out of condition and unattractive, which is something that any houseproud owner wants to avoid. By getting the concrete lifted, the affected areas of your home will look far more attractive.

Improving Scalability:

It is also important to try and improve the salability of your home in case you decide to sell in the future. This is something that lifting concrete can do. If you have people viewing your home, they can be put off by lots of areas of sinking concrete, and this could cost you your sales.

These are some of the ways in which you can improve your home with concrete lifting services.

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Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

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7 Ways to Clean Blocked Drains in Your Home

The drains in your home really do take a lot of abuse. Not only are things sometimes accidentally flushed down toilets and drains, but they also naturally collect all of the dust, hair, and whatever else is in the air. Over time, your pipes are bound to get clogged at some point.Clean Blocked Drains cxan make things work for you in all the aspects. Of course, a plumber can clear out a clog in a snap. But, here are seven things that you can try on your own first without using harsh chemicals which could harm your pipes. 7 Ways to Clean Blocked Drains in Your Home: 1. Find the clog: It might not be that deep. In a toilet, it's generally somewhere in the base. And, in sinks, it's often in the trap underneath it where hair and other debris will settle. There are a few different tools that you can use to attack the clog from the outside of the drain. Trap cleaner: You can find one at your local hardware store. It's usually made of plastic and is about the length of your arm. It has ridges along the sides and is designed to fit inside of your drain. You can use it to fish out anything that might be clogging the trap. Drain snake: It's the same idea as the trap cleaner, only it's longer and has a hose that rolls up, so it can get to clogs that may be deeper inside of the drains. Wire coat hanger: In a pinch? Just grab a wire coat hanger, unwind it, fashion it into a long hook, and use it to clear the trap. 2. Use a plunger: It's a basic home necessity for toilets. And, it can also be used for sinks. All you need is a solid suction and you may get the same results on a sink drain that you would with a toilet. In a sink, it might help to have a little standing water while you are plunging. 3. Dish Detergent: You can use it in toilets and sink drains. Pour it straight down the drain or into the toilet, about a quarter of a cup. The detergent will settle on the clog, and start to break it down. Let it sit for a few hours, run some hot water, and try plunging. The soap is sometimes strong enough to break up the clog. 4. Boiling Water: This would be more effective for a sink drain. Pouring boiling water directly down the drain could break up the clog. You could add boiling water, wait a few minutes, try plunging, and repeat the process a couple of times, if necessary. Just make sure the water isn't still boiling while you are plunging to protect yourself from any scalding. 5. Use a wet/dry vac: Wet/dry vacs are great for many purposes, including clearing clogs in your drain. If the clog isn't too deep, you can use it to either pull the clog out or push it down the drain. It's a good idea to try to pull it out first to remove the clog from your plumbing system. But, sometimes pushing it will also clear the clog and allow it to drain. 6. Clean the trap: If you are dealing with a clogged sink, you can usually access the trap underneath the drain. Most likely, that's where the clog will be. If you're handy with home repairs, here's a quick how-to. You'll need a plumber's wrench. Have a bucket underneath to catch the water. Unscrew the fittings on the top and bottom of the trap. Remove the trap and clean it out. An old toothbrush is perfect. Clean out the surrounding pipes. Put it back together. A plumbing company such as Red Dog knows all about unblocking drains so if you are not confident taking apart the pipes in the drain, it may be worth hiring a professional. 7. DIY Clog-removing Recipes: You may actually have a few things in your pantry that can be used to clear up clogged drains. Here a few different ideas that you can try before calling a plumber. Mix salt and baking soda: Combine equal parts of salt and baking soda, maybe a half-cup of each. Pour it directly into the clogged drain, and let it sit for a few minutes. The salt and baking soda will settle on the clog and start to eat away at parts of it. Then, pour boiling water down the drain. If there is standing water in the sink, you can also include plunging the drain in the process to get things moving around. Combine baking soda and vinegar: Mix together equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda, maybe a half-cup of each. Stand over the sink when you mix them. The reaction of the two substances will result in an almost immediate fizz. Pour everything down the drain. This one is best to let sit for a few hours or overnight. Afterward, try rinsing the drain with hot water. Sodium Hydroxide: More commonly known as caustic soda, you can find it at your local hardware store if you don't already have it on hand. You will mix 3 cups of soda with about a gallon of water. The mixture will get warmer and begin to fizz. Pour all of it directly into the drain. Wait for a half-hour or so, and pour boiling water down the drain. If it seems a little better, but still draining slowly, you can repeat the process. Unfortunately, some clogs are either too deep or too intense for any of these home remedies. If you've tried everything, and you just can't seem to get that clog cleared on your own, give Brisbane Drain Cleaning by Conrad Martens a call today. Our team of dedicated service professionals will quickly assess your individual circumstances and easily get your drains cleared. Let us show you have we've built our reputation of providing dependable service focused on quality of workmanship to the entire Brisbane area since 1982. Read Also: 8 Plumbing Myths Busted 3 Reasons Why Business Organizations Need To Get The Drains Cleaned Regularly

How To Pick The Perfect Flooring For Your New Home

Do you know what the difference is between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring?Are you aware of the price differences between marble flooring, wood flooring, tiles, and laminates? Do you have young kids, pets, or elderly adults at your home? What kind of weather conditions are you living in? Very few people realize that choosing the flooring for their new homes is a far more complicated task than picking out curtains! However, in spite of it being so important, many are completely unaware of how to go about it. The basic considerations for choosing a specific type of flooring depends on many factors- The function of the flooring Budget Weather and climatic conditions The durability of the flooring Habitants in the house This is the basic starting point, which many consider. However, when it comes to deciding what is best, we get confused and seek help from family and friends. While their help might be helpful, it might not always be the best. In such instances, it is best to listen to the advice and suggestions offered by experts and professionals. Important Things To Consider when Choosing Flooring For your Home: We have spoken about some basic things to consider when choosing the floor in the introductory section. In this section, we will look at some of the more important things which people often overlook. 1. Does the Flooring match the aesthetic appeal of the home? Every home has a definite personality. To complement the personality, different aspects of the home are chosen carefully. From the wall paint to the furniture, everything has a certain aesthetic attached to it. It is important that whatever flooring you choose blends with the aesthetic décor and appeal of the home. Most people consider flooring to be an afterthought. However, being such an important part of the home, it should be a top priority. 2. Does the flooring require regular maintenance? Let us get one thing out of the way- maintenance work related to the flooring is expensive! If you have to do it annually, you will incur heavy costs. This means that you will have to pick flooring, which is good enough and durable and requires little or no maintenance. Doing the flooring all over again is going to create a mini storm in your life. From rearranging furniture to in-access rooms in the house, it is slowly going to turn into a nightmare. It is best that you consider maintenance options before deciding on one. 3. Do you have to install different flooring in different parts of the house? Even though this is something which is basic and quite generic, many people do not pay attention to it. You cannot install solid wood flooring in your bathroom! Neither can you install marble flooring on your front porch? This has a lot to do with form and function. Wooden flooring should not be installed in places where you are going to have a water presence. This is why there are ruts and mosses, which start building on damp and mushy places like basements. Different Types Of Flooring For New Homeowners: In the previous sections, we spoke about why it is important to be careful when choosing the right flooring for your new house. In this section, we will help new homeowners with some examples of the various types of flooring options, which they can consider. 1. Solid Wood Flooring If you go to some of the best and most luxurious homes, hotels or resorts, you will always find solid wood flooring. This is because there is still no other material which can match the beauty, aesthetic appeal, and durability or a well-maintained solid wood flooring. It is important to note that solid wood flooring can be a bit expensive. However, you will always end up saving money on them because of their timeless appeal. They are very durable and never go out of fashion! 2. Engineered Wood Flooring Let us begin with a small quiz- What looks like wood; feels like wood, but is not wood? Engineered Wood is slowly becoming popular amongst people who want to enjoy the look and feel of solid wood flooring in an inexpensive fashion. It should be noted that as there is plywood, there is a tendency for this to warp and mold. This can shoot up your maintenance budgets remarkably. Other than that, this can be used as flooring in any part of your home except the bathroom. 3. Tile Flooring In recent years, people who want to experience something new are going for porcelain and ceramic tile options for their flooring. The attraction of tile flooring lies in the number of options that you have. You can choose from different shapes, looks, and feelings. You can also get a faux wood kind of ceramic tile for your house. However, you should consider the weather options when it comes to tile flooring if you are living in particularly cold climatic regions. 4. Carpeting Carpeting continues to remain the most popular choice for homeowners when it comes to flooring. They come in different price points, colors, textures, and maintenance schedules. It is easy to see why they are such an attractive proposition. However, they are also prone to attracting dust, hairs, fur, and other non-healthy airborne particles. People who are becoming slowly conscious when it comes to health issues are avoiding them. It is proven that they pose health issues and are not good for homes that have people who have breathing-related or asthma problems. 5. Laminate Flooring Like engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring is also highly in demand because of a number of reasons. The best laminates might fool you into believing that you are looking and standing on a solid wood floor! The advancement in this technology has made this proposition affordable, attractive, and maintenance friendly. However, the drawback of this is that this form of flooring has become very common. You are going to see this in every home, apartment, and restaurant, and even in shops. If you want your home to stand out as a special place, laminate flooring is not for you. Budget Friendly Flooring Options (...For Rented Place) A home is a home, even if it is rented! Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t have a cozy, stylish home. The good news is there are lots of budget-friendly flooring options that can spruce up your space and keep your landlord happy. Check out these smart ideas for every type of flooring. Peel & Stick Vinyl Suppose you want something quick, cheap, and temporary. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are the way to go. They come in all sorts of styles (I found one that looks like wood planks!) and couldn’t be easier to install. Within a couple of hours, your gross floor will be transformed into something sleek and modern. And when is the time to move out? Just peel them up off the ground. For those of us on a rental budget who still want to flex our creative muscles without permanently changing anything. These floor tiles are perfect for you. Did I mention they’re also water-resistant? Area Rugs And Carpets You can also consider area rugs. Area rugs are cost-effective, and they add beauty in addition to warmth, comfort, and style to any room. In fact, area rugs of all shapes, sizes, and designs are available so you’ll definitely find one that works with your interior design tastes. Area rugs can also cover up old or unattractive flooring that you don’t really want to see all the time. Easy to clean and take with you when you move. Pro tip: Layering rugs on top of existing carpets can really help transform a blah space. Laminate Flooring If you’d like something a bit more permanent (but still affordable), I recommend looking into laminate flooring. It looks just like hardwood but costs considerably less. It’s also really durable and easy to maintain. Most laminate floors use a click-and-lock installation method that doesn’t require any adhesive or nails and simply floats over the subfloor. It can be a great weekend DIY project! Plus, it’s perfect if you’re not up for too much commitment or live in a rental; it removes easily since floors are not technically “glued down.” Laminate is also great if you have little ones running around on softer soled shoes or paws. Since it doesn’t scratch as easily as some harder surfaces, it’s your worry-free ticket to compulsively clean. For something super plush, consider foam tiles. Great for bedrooms, playrooms, or workout rooms, foam tiles are soft on the feet and come in various colors. Choosing The Right Flooring! By picking the right flooring option for your new home, you can give a defined personality to it. You can also be careful enough to see budgets, maintenance requirements, and other considerations. We have tried to give the readers an idea of the different flooring options they can consider for their new homes. From solid wood flooring options to laminates, the new homeowner is surely spoiled for choice! Read Also: Sheet Vinyl Vs Vinyl Tile Flooring How Long Does Vinyl Flooring Last? Why You Need A Solid Wood Office Desk Why Kiln Dried Wood Is Better For Furniture 7 Advantages Of Reflective Epoxy Flooring 7 Unexpected Ways To Use Glass And Wood For Your Home

Transform Your Garage into a Home Office

Working from home is becoming more and more popular and widely spread, and in the times of the global pandemic, for some, it is even becoming a necessity. If you live with your family – parents, partner, kids, pets – this can be a really challenging task, especially if you do not have a separate work and study room. However, you can turn to alternative ways and make your own working space. Experts say it is important to have different spaces in which you sleep, eat and work, so even if you could have the privacy of your bedroom during the day, it is better for your mental health and efficiency to have a separate room which would serve as a home office. Transforming your garage could be a perfect solution for you, and here is how to do it, as suggested to us by experts at Dlouhy Garage Doors of San Diego. Start from the Basics In its original condition, your garage is probably not suitable for living or working, and in general spending a lot of time there, especially not during all seasons. That is why it’s important to adjust is well to the new purpose. Start from the floor, which is in most cases bare concrete. Replace it with the wood floor or carpet tiles and make it warmer and more comfortable. Insulation might be one of the major issues, so make sure you focus on that. Walls and windows will need additional insulation so you can use your home office for the whole year. Make It Cozy and Practical Once you’ve got your floor and walls settled, you can actually start thinking about the furniture and all the things you are going to need. Start with the desk and chair, as well as the shelves and other storage space you will need for your office. Except for being practical, your new office should also be cozy and you should be comfortable working there. So, you might want to pay attention to the overall style of the place, as well as the colors you choose. It does not necessarily have to be all sleek and modern, you can also add some vintage style and add a touch of warmth to your new workplace. Go for the neutral colors and try not to clutter the office too much with decorations, but rather give it a neater and simpler look, as it will be easier for you to focus. Another important point in this transformation process is the garage door. Chances are that your garage door is not suited to the new purpose, so you might want to call in garage door installers to replace it. Even if you stop using it as an office at some point, it can still be used as a space for hanging out, so why not make it livable for the long term. Think of the Light and Safety Replacing the garage door may have more than one dimension and purpose. It will certainly have an impact on insulation, as well as safety, and lighting, too. You can replace the old garage door with a set of glass panels and a regular door and thus ensure natural lighting for your workplace. It is really great to have it in the office and it’s much better for your eyesight as well as for your mood. Of course, do not forget the artificial lights as well and make sure the place is overall well lit. You can also consider installing a glass slide door, and thus improve the overall ventilation in the room which is also very important. However, if you prefer privacy, consider putting a regular door and sandblasted glass which will prevent anyone from seeing inside, and also prevent you from being distracted by the activities going on in front of your new office. Read Also: Top tips for inspecting and maintaining your garage 10 Pro Tips To Minimize Commercial Door Repair & Maintenance Cost

Improve Your Home With Concrete Lifting Services

Sinking Concrete & How It Might Affect Your Home

About Concrete Lifting

How Is Concrete Lifting Done?