The mud- jacking co. guys usually leave negative comments saying it wont last. I did this 4 yrs ago, Northeast, rain, sleet, snow and 90 degree summers. Has not moved an inch and I saved $300-$400 which is what jackers charge to show up.
I did this on a 20’ section of sidewalk several years ago and it has held up great. No matter what you do somebody is going to criticize and claim to know ‘better’.
The pros HATE when DIYers don't do things right, even more enjoying is when people without any expertise think it's a great job. Had a professional builder charged for doing this he would have been called a cowboy.
It's essentially what the "pros" use. In fact they use their two-part foam to actually do the lifting of the slabs too. But you have to be careful so that you don't OVER lift it with the foam, there's no going back!
@@QF2653 Yes I release that I have used enough of it (for it's intended use) my issue is its ability to compact under heavy loads. Also bear in mind the original reason for the slab sinking is a poorly laid/inadequate subbase, if that subbase is still sinking then the slab is going to carry on sinking, this is why I think the only way to properly resolve this is take the slab up repair the subbase and lay fresh concrete.
I do have a comment, you need to use C camp and hydraulic jack , those will help you alot and faster. Some how, you did an awesome job here. Keep it up good.
I did video on camper/RV roof reseal. You wouldn’t believe how many negative comments I got saying how it would never hold up. Many said it wouldn’t last a year. So years later I did update video to prove it. I hope the same can be done on this sidewalk repair. Lots of naysayers in the comments. Prove them right or wrong in a few years. That’s the best way for everyone to learn.
Let me clue you in folks. Spray expanafoam will indeed lift a slab. But take a dried ball of it and squeeze. It crushes, and does not rebound. Sure, a company can come in and pump up your slab with foam to level it, sure. But that multi-ton slab weight slowly compresses that stiff brittle foam back down. Use it as a tool to lift, but do not try to use the foam itself as a permanent pier. Dig out the perimeter, add a form wall, and pour in fresh concrete footings. Might have had to go behind a few contractors once or twice who pulled the foam only lift scam on homeowners.
There's a home nearby that sold about 4-5 years ago. I could tell that their driveway must have been a mess because there's dozens of holes drilled and filled. Dozens, not kidding. I'll have to sneak by there soon to have a look. When I drive by I don't see any signs that it has sunk though.
Agreed. As someone in the field of construction I would never use foam. I had about 25' length of sidewalk 'mud-jacked' with a mixture of concrete for about $300. They drilled a couple holes in each square and pumped a concrete mix filling the void and raising each slab after they cut them apart as required. Filling the void under the larger stoop too. As maintenance, so it doesn't settle down again, I fill the cracks with sand and crushed limestone over the next couple of years. Foam will crush back down and the remaining voids will aid in the settling. The large stones used in the video will probably hold better than the foam. Hopefully his project stays level for some time.
This video was well done. I could follow each part as you were doing it. Only part I had to repeat was how the rebar was bent. I think I an fix my broken drive way now. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I used bottle jacks rated at 10 ton and pink insulating foam along the edges 2 feet in both sides. The void through the middle with low expanding foam. Those who waste money with mud jacking must have money to burn. It defeats the object by increasing weight underneath, meaning in a few years you're gonna have to call them back out to repeat the process. Foam is the way to go, lasts longer and virtually with no added weight to the existing concrete, and being inert, not toxic.
Wow - that’s really a creative way to make that repair. Would there have any benefit in adding backer rod to the actual crack before putting the mortar mix/concrete in that crack?
A better but more expensive repair would have you cutting the walkway loose from the step and replacing the entire first walk slab. That way you could have stabilized the entire walkway slab by compacting the earth under it and separately filling under the step portion as necessary. Ultimately freezing temperatures will degrade the crack patch and the foam fill will fail, in my opinion. It was a mistake to make the first walkway slab integral with the step portion of the stoop. It should have been separate with a caulk joint.
Aye. I've seen a video on using foam to seat fence posts. It sets well initially but is prone to shrinkage. Coupled with being slightly elastic due to the air fills pores it will bend under weight. This repair likely improved the situation... But it isn't a long term fix. The stone at the edges will hold, but the middle will sag and result in a pressure point that will crack the slab. Then again, since the crack will likely occur laterally you'll have two smaller chunks to move instead of one big one. :D Some of the approaches were pretty good and showed lateral thinking around problems that ultimately saved wear and tear on the body so thumbs up for looking after yourself. The slab can always be repaired again later. A person is more complicated to fix up. I've got some crack repair to do and once the cleaning is done, I might see about getting some jacks to save me some stress in the initial stages of the repair. Edit* On reflection a fence post is prone to more lateral movement while a concrete slab is always under compression, so I can see a benefit in slab levelling over post fixing. Still, I'd hate to be the one to have to dispose of that foam later down the line. Just ask all the old post cement I dug out to fit the new ones :D
The best way to get no negative comments is to not make the video at all. 😊. Some jackass who's never done the work will have to put in their own hate on how it'll never work.
When making the cement to fill the crack mix with some fine silica sand and bondcrete. The silica sand will give it some body and the bondcrete is a concrete bonding agent.
While I'm impressed you did not crack the concrete you were lifting, how long do you expect that foam to last? This needed a hydraulic grout that will support the slab better then the foam. I will suggest on the ends of rebar to put angle iron to spread the load out of the slab you're lifting.
That’s usually caused by landscapers who ran a plastic pipe under the pathway…..because some of them don’t know how to run a pipe underground the right way….they do it and a 6 months to a year later you have this problem…
I did not show it but when you apply the foam make sure you calculate the thickness and the square footage of your project. Use board feet basis so you have an idea on how much foam you need. In my case, after lifting the pavement, I realized the gap underneath the pavement was a long wedged type gap. So, I only depend on the excess foam coming out on the side of the slab.
Excellent video and commendable work effort. But did you notice the stress separation occurring between the top step and the porch. Those stones on the porch side of the crack under the slab should help but that bottom step base area should probably get some additional support packing.
Think of all the time you could have saved by just cutting a section out adding some crush and compacting and repouring that small area. Doing it right.
Question why not pour a new form on top of the sunken slab? Why is the algorithm sending me all these solutions to a problem I didn’t realize I had and suggesting I do it by defying gravity with foam that gets brittle? I mean it works, I guess? But…work smarter, not harder.
That will last about as long as a fart in a whirlwind! Cut the first section of sidewalk out and square up the break. Pour a new section after you build up and compact the base. It wouldn’t take much longer if at all.
I've did these repairs before and they do not last. It'll keep cracking out. I would have repoured the slab after sawing the old stuff out. I would have added rebar and coarse screen in it.
Insects love cheap foam. It is not waterproof foam like used on boats, so it will become soaked and decompose within 5 yrs. Then you can lather, rinse, repeat.
I don't think this will last...also...why did it Crack to begin with?...there's probably a cavity under...those rocks and foam will cave...should just cut that section out, pack the dirt underneath, form it up, pour again...with all that crap you purchased, wouldn't been much more$...+ the added confidence...plenty of videos here for learning how
Let's all be HONEST here...Brother you did an awesome job!! VERY NICE!! God Bless.
The only thing in question is whether or not that small amount of spray foam actually filled all the voids under slab
@@tonyneville476 : The homeowner will find out soon enough.
@@tonyneville476 I know where my money is, anybody care to take a bet? Y'all think its such a wonderful video.
@@utube1818 Damn...! you really got it bad for this video, Are you going to sh!t on every comment....? You need a life, cause that's pathetic.
Thank you.😊
The mud- jacking co. guys usually leave negative comments saying it wont last. I did this 4 yrs ago, Northeast, rain, sleet, snow and 90 degree summers. Has not moved an inch and I saved $300-$400 which is what jackers charge to show up.
I did this on a 20’ section of sidewalk several years ago and it has held up great. No matter what you do somebody is going to criticize and claim to know ‘better’.
Brilliant solution! The pros HATE when we DIYers solve problems ourselves... hence the negative comments.
The pros HATE when DIYers don't do things right, even more enjoying is when people without any expertise think it's a great job. Had a professional builder charged for doing this he would have been called a cowboy.
Welp...
That's thinking outside of the box!
Nice 💯
This is one of the better tutorial on TH-cam for raising concrete pathway. Good Job!
How do you know? Seriously genuine question, what is your field of expertise?
Great stuff holds up real good. Neighbor did a 10 x 8 slab. Raised it 2" over 9 years ago. Still good
Then he got lucky
It's essentially what the "pros" use. In fact they use their two-part foam to actually do the lifting of the slabs too. But you have to be careful so that you don't OVER lift it with the foam, there's no going back!
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists There is a huge difference between the foam he was using and 2 part expanding foam designed for slab jacking.
@@utube1818 not really. It works very good, no luck involved. As long as it is not exposed to sunlight it will last forever.
@@QF2653 Yes I release that I have used enough of it (for it's intended use) my issue is its ability to compact under heavy loads. Also bear in mind the original reason for the slab sinking is a poorly laid/inadequate subbase, if that subbase is still sinking then the slab is going to carry on sinking, this is why I think the only way to properly resolve this is take the slab up repair the subbase and lay fresh concrete.
I do have a comment, you need to use C camp and hydraulic jack , those will help you alot and faster. Some how, you did an awesome job here. Keep it up good.
I did video on camper/RV roof reseal. You wouldn’t believe how many negative comments I got saying how it would never hold up. Many said it wouldn’t last a year. So years later I did update video to prove it. I hope the same can be done on this sidewalk repair. Lots of naysayers in the comments. Prove them right or wrong in a few years. That’s the best way for everyone to learn.
I will, thank you.
mud- jackers are a tough crowd, forever critical of store bought expanding foam.
Detail oriented...... Perfectionist.......
You have done a great job.... Bravo 👏👏👏
Really smart fix. Thanks for sharing the project.
Great video! The only suggestion I might offer is to use the Great Stuff for ponds. I believe it is closed- cell foam and will not absorb water.
Just what I needed to see and understand. Great video. Smart save.
Great demo! I plan to do it myself and save $3000 that a contactor quoted!
Very nice video... professional workmanship
Thank you.
Let me clue you in folks. Spray expanafoam will indeed lift a slab. But take a dried ball of it and squeeze. It crushes, and does not rebound. Sure, a company can come in and pump up your slab with foam to level it, sure. But that multi-ton slab weight slowly compresses that stiff brittle foam back down. Use it as a tool to lift, but do not try to use the foam itself as a permanent pier. Dig out the perimeter, add a form wall, and pour in fresh concrete footings.
Might have had to go behind a few contractors once or twice who pulled the foam only lift scam on homeowners.
There's a home nearby that sold about 4-5 years ago. I could tell that their driveway must have been a mess because there's dozens of holes drilled and filled. Dozens, not kidding. I'll have to sneak by there soon to have a look. When I drive by I don't see any signs that it has sunk though.
Footings? On a sidewalk??? LMAO
@@QF2653 Reread what I wrote, but comprehend this time young grasshopper
Agreed. As someone in the field of construction I would never use foam. I had about 25' length of sidewalk 'mud-jacked' with a mixture of concrete for about $300.
They drilled a couple holes in each square and pumped a concrete mix filling the void and raising each slab after they cut them apart as required. Filling the void under the larger stoop too. As maintenance, so it doesn't settle down again, I fill the cracks with sand and crushed limestone over the next couple of years.
Foam will crush back down and the remaining voids will aid in the settling. The large stones used in the video will probably hold better than the foam.
Hopefully his project stays level for some time.
Do you just place the form walls below grade a little wider than the sidewalk and pour in?
Great video and something to remember. You taught me an important fixer upper
Thank you.
This video was well done. I could follow each part as you were doing it. Only part I had to repeat was how the rebar was bent. I think I an fix my broken drive way now. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you.
fantastic job, well done. Now I need to lift my side walk too.
I'm glad I watched this I have the same thing going on wasn't sure how I was going to fix it save me some money thanks
Great Stuff ain't cheap - even at Home Depot.
If you think this is a good fix, all I can say is please don't watch any how to Utube videos on DIY heart surgery.
Nice work and creative solution.
Thank you.
Oh this was a great idea on how to lift the concrete. EXCELLENT VIDEO
Thank you.
Blown away great DIY work. I've never seen this done diy and turned out great!
Wow, fantastic! Thanks so much for showing your process.
Thank you.
Semi-self leveling tube grout would work great for that crack
That’s a good option too.
Great method, but such thin concrete is a slack job to start hence the subsidence in the first place.
Nice work, great camera work!
That's success!
Great job.
Thank you.
I used bottle jacks rated at 10 ton and pink insulating foam along the edges 2 feet in both sides. The void through the middle with low expanding foam.
Those who waste money with mud jacking must have money to burn. It defeats the object by increasing weight underneath, meaning in a few years you're gonna have to call them back out to repeat the process.
Foam is the way to go, lasts longer and virtually with no added weight to the existing concrete, and being inert, not toxic.
I agree Bob.
That foam is soooooo toxic tho
Good work! How's it holding up 2 years later?
Clever method. Thanks!
Thank you.
Awesome job. You’re very talented.
Excelente job ,
Nice job with the leveling. I would use self leveling caulking to fill the crack because it is more forgiving with the slab movement.
That’s a good option too. Thank you.
That self leveling concrete caulk is actually junk. It’s an odd color of light grey and over time it shrinks and separates.
NP1 is what we always used for sealing around chimneys. Just don’t use it in CA, it will give you cancer.
It will also look like caulking in the middle if your slab. It's a crack, not an expansion joint.
Fantastic! Thanks for posting this.
Thank you.
Fantastic job
Thank you.
Maybe sprinkle of sand could have been added to the top before dry to bend ?
Nice work!
Thank you.
The rocks and bricks so genius.
Wow - that’s really a creative way to make that repair. Would there have any benefit in adding backer rod to the actual crack before putting the mortar mix/concrete in that crack?
No, if your not going to do it right in the first place, why bother adding further expense.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you.
I would save the dust from the drilling and then sprinkle and brush over the crack/hole filler to get a better colour match.
Thank you! So grateful and proud of you.
Thank you ga.😊
Good job
Thank you.
Nice job and the best part is it shows the home DIY'er doesn't have to buy or rent a compressor or modify an engine hoist to do the lifting.
Great job!
Thank you.
Well done! Thank you for sharing.
Awesome job!
Thank you.
A better but more expensive repair would have you cutting the walkway loose from the step and replacing the entire first walk slab. That way you could have stabilized the entire walkway slab by compacting the earth under it and separately filling under the step portion as necessary. Ultimately freezing temperatures will degrade the crack patch and the foam fill will fail, in my opinion. It was a mistake to make the first walkway slab integral with the step portion of the stoop. It should have been separate with a caulk joint.
Aye. I've seen a video on using foam to seat fence posts. It sets well initially but is prone to shrinkage. Coupled with being slightly elastic due to the air fills pores it will bend under weight. This repair likely improved the situation... But it isn't a long term fix. The stone at the edges will hold, but the middle will sag and result in a pressure point that will crack the slab. Then again, since the crack will likely occur laterally you'll have two smaller chunks to move instead of one big one. :D
Some of the approaches were pretty good and showed lateral thinking around problems that ultimately saved wear and tear on the body so thumbs up for looking after yourself. The slab can always be repaired again later. A person is more complicated to fix up. I've got some crack repair to do and once the cleaning is done, I might see about getting some jacks to save me some stress in the initial stages of the repair.
Edit* On reflection a fence post is prone to more lateral movement while a concrete slab is always under compression, so I can see a benefit in slab levelling over post fixing. Still, I'd hate to be the one to have to dispose of that foam later down the line. Just ask all the old post cement I dug out to fit the new ones :D
That's the truth. But this is new a generation fix job. Came out ugly honestly.
The best way to get no negative comments is to not make the video at all. 😊. Some jackass who's never done the work will have to put in their own hate on how it'll never work.
Sweet
Interesting, over all great work. Now, about getting rid of those ants!
Thank you, ants were gone.😁
When making the cement to fill the crack mix with some fine silica sand and bondcrete. The silica sand will give it some body and the bondcrete is a concrete bonding agent.
Good idea !!
Thank you.
How did this hold up? I have almost the same problem ...
I put big rocks underneath and both ends of the crack to reinforce and hold up the slab.
Nice job 👌
Thank you.
Right on man!!
You can always expect a better outcome when there is rebar added when pouring the concrete in the first place!
GREAT JOB!
While I'm impressed you did not crack the concrete you were lifting, how long do you expect that foam to last? This needed a hydraulic grout that will support the slab better then the foam. I will suggest on the ends of rebar to put angle iron to spread the load out of the slab you're lifting.
It was 1 guy solving a problem DIY. Surprised it worked at all
When that foam is not exposed to sunlight, it will last forever.
That spray foam is virtually identical to what most professional mud jacking companies use.
That’s usually caused by landscapers who ran a plastic pipe under the pathway…..because some of them don’t know how to run a pipe underground the right way….they do it and a 6 months to a year later you have this problem…
Absolutely make sense to do
Great to see you wearing safety goggles
What foam did you use?
How’s the walkway doing did the fix hold up……
nice 👍
Thank you.
What's the best way- here you used cement, others use Sika Flex Pro or Betta Concrete Crack Filler etc. Whats the difference?
I just want to know where he got the super tensile strength rebar?
It’s a .5 in rebar from Lowes.
question: how did you get the rebar bent??
I used sledgehammer and 3’4 pipe to bent it.
Thank you nice job
How to figure how much foam to send through the drill holes in pavement?
I did not show it but when you apply the foam make sure you calculate the thickness and the square footage of your project. Use board feet basis so you have an idea on how much foam you need. In my case, after lifting the pavement, I realized the gap underneath the pavement was a long wedged type gap. So, I only depend on the excess foam coming out on the side of the slab.
I need to fix up our sidewalk. those folks had an an problem.
Show it in a year. Let's see how well it holds up.
So far the rocks I placed underneath is still doing good. It reinforced the weight on both sides and it still holding up.
You only need 3 things a drill, Expanding foam, an cement to seal the hole
It will never last like to see that in 5 years time 😂
New friend host watching from Denver Colorado #baby boss samar
Thank you po.
Why there is no TMT steel bars inside the slabs.
I thing that's the reason of the slab broken
Excellent video and commendable work effort. But did you notice the stress separation occurring between the top step and the porch. Those stones on the porch side of the crack under the slab should help but that bottom step base area should probably get some additional support packing.
Amazing video! That earned a subscribe from me
Thank you.
Отличная работа!
Think of all the time you could have saved by just cutting a section out adding some crush and compacting and repouring that small area. Doing it right.
Lord. You’re that guy
@@jakobbrown2253 ya I'm that guy. The professional who does this stuff everyday.
Question why not pour a new form on top of the sunken slab? Why is the algorithm sending me all these solutions to a problem I didn’t realize I had and suggesting I do it by defying gravity with foam that gets brittle? I mean it works, I guess? But…work smarter, not harder.
Awesome job. Too bad the colors don’t match up perfectly. You deserve that much from the concrete industry. Lol. Excellent work.
What cement did you use
likely its concrete with tiny rocks
@bhadz100 I used the one with tiny rocks and fiber on it.
Amazing
That will last about as long as a fart in a whirlwind! Cut the first section of sidewalk out and square up the break. Pour a new section after you build up and compact the base. It wouldn’t take much longer if at all.
You forgot to mention dialing in rebar.😃
Blah blah blah blah, his repair will work just fine.
The dude did a fine job
He might want to add concrete glue inside the crack for better adhesion for the new cement. Other than that looks fine.
Now paint the walkway and you won't be able to tell it was repaired. Great job, and thanks
thats kinda fuckin genius. good job.
I've did these repairs before and they do not last. It'll keep cracking out. I would have repoured the slab after sawing the old stuff out. I would have added rebar and coarse screen in it.
He would have had to replace the steps too. The walkway was part of the steps.
Cement is a powder. What you made was mortar to fill the gaps. Is the foam outdoor rated? If not it could just dissolve. You did a nice job though.
Yeah you’re right. Thank you.
I think it would have been better to just cut out that section and pour new.
That’s a good idea.
Insects love cheap foam. It is not waterproof foam like used on boats, so it will become soaked and decompose within 5 yrs. Then you can lather, rinse, repeat.
Well that’s 5 years then
@RV10flyer That’s ok, I’ll pour new concrete the next time I’m having the same issue.😁
Don't worry. He is selling the house in a few months.
I don't think this will last...also...why did it Crack to begin with?...there's probably a cavity under...those rocks and foam will cave...should just cut that section out, pack the dirt underneath, form it up, pour again...with all that crap you purchased, wouldn't been much more$...+ the added confidence...plenty of videos here for learning how
Thanks ❤
Wow you move fast but let know in 5 years how it’s doing
👍👍
عمل رائع 👍🏼
Audience, Great video and job, but I think your ants wanted to lend a helping leg🤜🏼🤛🏼.
Thanks man.😊
Question: the final repair is way too obvious for my taste. Was it because it was still wet? Did the final repair turn he same color?