Concrete Lifting and Leveling Case Studies: PolyLevel at the Delaware State Housing Authority

Challenge

The sidewalk which allowed access to the Delaware State Housing Authority in Dover, DE was sinking towards the building. The potential impact of this situation on the structure of the building was dire. 

While 16 The Green is not itself a building of historic significance, it is surrounded by buildings with intense amounts of history, so due caution needed to be utilized in the pursuit of any construction on this property. In addition, this is the location of the Delaware State Housing Authority. Access to this building is critical and disruption of access would have caused issues for both the Delaware State Housing Authority employees and the public persons that their actions impact. 

These two factors, the historic impact of the area and the desire to lessen disruption led the Steve Gherke to contact DryZone to address an issue of the sidewalk on the property settling towards the building, causing potential damage and creating a dangerous walk area.  Steve was aware of the PolyLevel process by which high-density polymers are used to raise slabs to the desired level.  This is done by drilling small holes (smaller than a penny) in the slab and then specially designed equipment is used to inject structural grade polymers into the void. After the void is filled, the expansion of the polyurethane allows for a precise lift and stabilization of the slab. This process is much less invasive than standard concrete removal and replacement, thus making it the perfect solution in this instance.

Solution

This is done by drilling small holes (smaller than a penny) in the slab and then specially designed equipment is used to inject structural grade polymers into the void. After the void is filled, the expansion of the polyurethane allows for a precise lift and stabilization of the slab. This process is much less invasive than standard concrete removal and replacement, thus making it the perfect solution in this instance.

PolyLevel can be utilized to lift slabs in a fraction of the time standard methods would take. This sidewalk can support weight within 15 minutes of the initial application. PolyLevel applications can support 2000-4000 pounds per square foot. PolyLevel is environmentally friendly and will not rot or deteriorate underground.