BUYER BEWARE! Many Warranties Are Deceptive!
If a company presents a warranty for a specified duration, it’s easy to assume the company would stand behind their work for that amount of time. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, many concrete raising companies offer warranties with Terms and Conditions that can eliminate all value completely!
The fact is, you can find yourself dealing with contractors who are highly motivated to make sales. A contractor’s verbal discussion with you regarding warranty terms can be part of a well-rehearsed sales pitch. However, in the long run, their warranty may fail to provide the value or protection you assumed you had. Therefore, we urge consumers to specifically look at and understand written warranty terms and conditions when evaluating a contractor’s offering.
Simply put, consumers need to do their due diligence and “read the fine print” to ensure they are truly protected.
Warranty Scenarios You Should Avoid
The “Lifetime” Warranty
This is the epitome of all bad warranty based marketing tactics. Unfortunately, there are contractors who use the term “Lifetime Warranty” in a very deceptive manner. With no other intent than to hook you into trusting them with your business, this dishonest marketing strategy offers a false sense of security. Unfortunate are their customers who fail to drill down into the terms of this agreement before signing a contract. They think to themselves, “how can I go wrong? They’re going to stand behind their work for the lifetime of my concrete”.
Unbeknownst to so many trusting consumers, this warranty is likely limited to “ONE RE-LIFT”. This means if the contractor didn’t raise or support your concrete correctly, they may have to re-lift it a month after it was originally raised. After that re-lift, the warranty is now VOID. Your “Lifetime” warranty was just reduced to 30-days!
The Four Year Warranty
If a company is pitching a four-year warranty, we encourage you to read their warranty terms and conditions carefully. Also, if a warranty is limited to “labor and materials” you may want to exercise caution.
Some contractors, when called upon after their raised concrete sinks again, won’t necessarily raise your concrete back up. Some contractors will propose to drill multiple holes into the slab to determine if their “labor or material” has failed. You can guess what their determination will be.
When these contractors determine their product is indeed under your concrete, they could fall back on their warranty language, stating their product has not failed. This way of handling their warranty leaves you with additional holes in your concrete and no resolution to your problem. It also leaves you without a warranty repair. Acme Concrete Raising & Repair does not operate this way. We stand behind our repairs.
HINT: Always check with the contractor’s Better Business Bureau listing and review their track record regarding complaints.
The Three Year Warranty
Are you being sold on a three-year warranty? We have had customers share with us their experiences with a certain Three Year Warranty that’s not so “customer-friendly”. In this case, the warranty states that if the raised concrete drops more than ½” in three years – the contractor will replace the dropped concrete with new concrete – at their regular installation price, less the price of the “mudjacking” that the customer deemed unsatisfactory. We find the proposition of “regular pricing” to be highly suspect at best. In our estimation, this is another warranty that is essentially worthless to consumers.
Other things to look out for are “conditions” that can prevent you from obtaining warranty repairs. In some cases, you might be required to backfill along the sides of all raised areas. You might also be signing on to an agreement that says you will seal all cracks and joints. Although we agree these are generally good things to do, we do not think you, the consumer, should be denied a warranty repair just because you failed to seal a joint to the contractor’s expectations.
The One Year Warranty
A one-year warranty is simply not sufficient. If a contractor says they’ve been lifting concrete for 20, 25, or 30 years and only offers to stand behind it for 1 year, you should reject that offer immediately. If they’ve been raising concrete for that long, their experience must be that their repairs don’t usually last longer than a year. Our guess is that they’re proposing to raise your concrete with mud or a cement slurry (mudjacking), and they don’t have the confidence to warranty it for longer than a year. You should expect more for your money!
A Concrete Raising Warranty That Works For You!
Acme Concrete Raising & Repair provides an honest and straightforward warranty of 6-years for residential projects. Since we only use commercial grade high-density polyurethane to raise and support concrete, we have enough confidence in our work to not “limit” our warranty to labor and material. We also DO NOT use tricky language to enable us to void the warranty for various reasons. Aside from certain “Acts of God“, our warranty states we will re-raise any areas that re-settle. It’s simple; our polyurethane is very strong. In fact, we use a polyurethane that is about twice as strong as what most competitors use. It will not crack, shrink, or wash out. In the unlikely event your concrete settles after we raise it, it’s probably because the ground underneath the polyurethane has continued to settle, which is extremely rare for concrete that has been poured 10 or more years prior to raising.
Acme Concrete Raising & Repair provides its customers with a no-nonsense warranty. Unlike many other contractors, we do not put conditions on our warranty for the purpose of being able to “void it” if you require service.
Bottom line – we value great long-term relationships that result in word-of-mouth referrals more than simply making a “quick buck”.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a slab need to be replaced?
A concrete slab may need to be replaced in various situations, particularly when it is severely damaged or cracked. This decision is typically driven by the extent of the damage, as well as other factors such as safety concerns, structural integrity issues, and the overall condition of the concrete. A professional concrete raising estimator should be helpful in guiding you toward replacement options when it’s in your best interest to do so.
Unfortunately, full slab replacement is a more extensive and costly process compared to alternative methods like foam jacking. The process of replacing a slab can be time-consuming, lasting several days or weeks, disrupting daily activities for homeowners or businesses. It requires loud, heavy machinery which can potentially cause damage to surrounding structures and landscapes. Ultimately, the decision to replace a concrete slab or explore other repair options will depend on the specific circumstances of the situation. Consulting with a professional contractor is advisable to determine the most suitable course of action for addressing the issues with the concrete slab.
Why do concrete slabs like sidewalks and driveways become uneven?
Concrete slabs, such as sidewalks and driveways, can become uneven due to a variety of reasons. One common factor is the natural settling of the soil beneath the slab. As the soil shifts and compacts, it can result in an imbalanced weight distribution, causing sections of the concrete to sink and become uneven. Changes in moisture levels play a significant role in causing clay-rich soil to expand or contract, further contributing to the unevenness of the slab.
Poor installation practices can also lead to uneven concrete slabs. If the base beneath the slab is not properly graded and compacted during installation, it can result in an unstable foundation, eventually leading to settling and unevenness. Similarly, if the concrete mix used isn’t adequate, the slab could be weak and prone to cracking, further contributing to the unevenness.
Moreover, heavy usage over time can also cause concrete slabs to become uneven. Continuous exposure to overweight vehicles and other external factors can result in wear and tear on the concrete surface, leading to settlement, cracks, and uneven surfaces.
In conclusion, a combination of factors such as soil settling, changes in moisture levels, poor installation practices, improper concrete mix preparation, and heavy usage can all contribute to the unevenness of concrete slabs like sidewalks and driveways. Proper construction techniques and regular maintenance are essential in preventing and addressing these issues to ensure the longevity and stability of the concrete surfaces.
How long does Foam Jacking last?
Foam jacking is known for its durability, with a typical lifespan of several decades. In comparison, mudjacking tends to have a much shorter longevity, lasting only a few years. Foam jacking’s long-lasting quality makes it a popular choice for those seeking a reliable and durable solution for their concrete leveling needs.
How much does Foam Jacking cost?
The cost of foam jacking (polyurethane concrete raising) can vary depending on several factors such as the size of the slab, how far it’s dropped and the quantity of foam required for filling the voids. Typically, the expenses for foam jacking ranges between $10 to $25 per square foot. It is worth noting that while foam jacking may involve a higher upfront cost compared to mudjacking, it is a more economical and efficient method in the long run.
How does foam jacking work to level an uneven sidewalk or driveway?
Foam jacking (polyurethane concrete raising) is the best technique to level an uneven sidewalk or driveway. The process involves first drilling dime-sized holes into the affected slab to allow for the injection of polyurethane foam. This foam is then injected beneath the concrete slab using a specialized injection gun, filling voids and gaps created by sinking soil.
Once the foam is injected, it expands and spreads, lifting the concrete slab and providing stability by filling voids and providing proper support. After the foam injection process is complete, the drilled holes are patched with cementitious grout to give the area a clean and finished appearance. Within around 15 minutes of the repair, the leveled slab is ready for use. This process effectively restores the surface to its proper level and addresses any underlying issues that caused the unevenness.
What are the benefits of foam jacking compared to older methods?
Foam jacking offers several key advantages over older concrete repair methods. Firstly, foam jacking is a lot quicker and much more efficient, often completing the repair process in a matter of hours with minimal disruption. This contrasts with traditional methods that involve heavy equipment and mudjacking slurries, resulting in longer repair times and greater inconvenience.
Another benefit of foam jacking is that the material used is lightweight, which helps prevent further soil settlement issues. Unlike older methods like mudjacking that can add weight to the soil, foam jacking offers precise control over the lift and allows for accurate and long-lasting repairs without causing additional strain on the ground.
Polyurethane concrete raising leaves behind minimal mess and debris compared to traditional methods, making it a cleaner and more environmentally friendly option. Lastly, the cost-effectiveness of foam jacking is a major advantage. It is generally more affordable than completely replacing the concrete slab, making it a practical choice for homeowners and businesses looking to repair their concrete surfaces without incurring excessive costs.
