All About Foam Concrete Lifting: Process, Cost, FAQ, and More

Learn everything you need to know about using foam concrete leveling to lift your settled concrete.

In recent years, concrete lifting with foam has gotten more and more widely known – through Facebook shorts, Reddit posts, and even TikToks. If you’ve come to learn about foam concrete leveling, it was probably through a mesmerizing video or description floating around the internet.

However you ended up here, it’s probably because you have some uneven concrete that needs attention, and you’re wondering if using foam to raise it back up is the right move for you.

In this article, we’ll help you understand this concrete leveling method by using our 30+ years of experience in the concrete repair and maintenance industry to answer some of the biggest questions we hear about foam concrete leveling on a daily basis.

Note: Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we offer foam concrete leveling services in some of our nationwide locations, and stone slurry grout leveling in all of them.

Foam is just one concrete leveling option. Check out this resource to see them all compared side by side: Foam vs. Grout vs. Mudjacking

What Is Foam Concrete Lifting?

Foam concrete lifting (also known as polyjacking, poly leveling, or foam concrete leveling) is a type of concrete leveling that uses expanding polyurethane foam to lift settled concrete slabs back to the proper position. 

Foam concrete lifting is a newer technology that has gained popularity in the last ten years, but it’s not the only type of concrete leveling out there. Stone slurry grout leveling and mudjacking are additional options that come with their own pros and cons. (More on this later.)

How Does Foam Concrete Leveling Work?

The polyjacking process follows these key steps to lift concrete back to an even position:

Step 1: Small holes (approximately ⅝ inches in diameter) are drilled into the sunken concrete slabs in strategic spots.

Step 2: Liquid polyurethane foam is injected through these holes, undergoes a chemical reaction that causes it to expand, and lifts the settled slabs.

Step 3: Once the concrete is lifted to the desired position, the drill holes are sealed off.

Foam Concrete Lifting Cost

The cost of foam concrete leveling can vary greatly depending on geographic location, chemical makeup of the foam, and more. Below is a general overview of average foam pricing estimates for different areas

Polyjacking Costs vs. Other Methods

Typically, foam concrete leveling is the most expensive concrete leveling option out there. 

It can be 20-50% more expensive than stone slurry grout leveling due to higher material costs. Meanwhile, mudjacking tends to be around 10% less expensive than stone slurry grout leveling.

The Pros and Cons of Foam Concrete Lifting

Just like with any big decision, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of foam concrete leveling when determining if it’s right for you.

Below you’ll find a short list of these benefits and drawbacks, but for more detail on each, check out this resource: The Pros and Cons of Foam Concrete Lifting

Pros

• Easy To Transport

Foam can be transported easily due to its compact nature, making it easier to carry more material for high-volume jobs and access hard-to-reach areas.

• Fast Curing

Most foam concrete lifting products reach an initial cure within 1 hour of installation.

• Cost-Effective Alternative to Replacement

Like all concrete leveling methods, poly foam concrete leveling can save you money off the cost of replacement.

• Smaller Drill Holes

The holes created during foam leveling are smaller compared to other methods, which can help them blend into existing concrete in some instances.

• Minimal Mess During Application

The foam concrete lifting process can be mess-free and self-contained, but if foam happens to leak out, it can cause chemical stains that can be very difficult (if not impossible) to remove.

Cons

• Cost Compared to Other Methods

Foam is usually the most expensive concrete leveling option due to the use of synthetic materials.

• Difficult To Fill Voids Completely

Foam may not adequately fill all voids under the slabs, potentially creating weak points that can lead to future cracking.

• Less Control Over Lifting

Less control over the foam’s expansion makes over-lifting or unexpected outcomes more likely.

• Safety Concerns and Chemical Reactions

Accidents like explosions and shrinking due to the foam’s chemical reactions are rare but do happen.

• Environmental Concerns

While most foams are presented as eco-friendly, they are ultimately made from petroleum-based raw materials.

Common Foam Concrete Leveling Myths

There are quite a few misconceptions out there about foam concrete leveling. 

These myths are mainly spread by foam-only concrete leveling companies trying to scare customers into going with foam. It’s important to know that they exist and understand why they’re not true.

To learn more about these myths in detail, check out this resource: 7 Foam Concrete Lifting Myths Busted

Myth #1: Foam Reacts Chemically With the Soil

BUSTED: Polyurethane foam undergoes a chemical reaction to expand, but it doesn’t harden the soil or prevent erosion. It compacts soil downwards but doesn’t prevent movement.

Myth #2: Polyjacking Is Especially Great for Wet Conditions

BUSTED: Despite being hydrophobic, foam concrete leveling doesn’t guarantee your concrete won’t resettle. Water runoff can erode soil beneath the foam, causing the slab to settle again if the source of erosion is not addressed.

Myth #3: Foam Is Lighter, So It Won’t Weigh Down the Soil

BUSTED: Material weight doesn’t cause concrete to resettle – erosion and non-compacted soil do. Regardless of the leveling material used, incomplete soil compaction and erosion under the foam may lead to resettling.

Myth #4: Polyjacking Is Totally Clean and Mess-Free

BUSTED:  Foam that comes in contact with concrete is challenging to remove and may yellow with sun exposure. In contrast, stone slurry grout leveling and mudjacking materials are easily washed away.

Myth #5: Foam Better Fills the Voids Under Concrete

BUSTED: While foam spreads well in some situations, it may not fully fill voids due to the nature of the injection process, forming small “pancake stacks” where part of the slab is left unsupported

Myth #6: Polyjacking Is Stronger and Has Greater Lifting Power

BUSTED: The foam used for concrete leveling has lower compressive strengths than stone slurry grout leveling or mudjacking materials.

Myth #7: Polyjacking Is Environmentally Friendly

BUSTED: Polyjacking relies on petroleum-derived chemicals, whereas mudjacking and stone slurry grout leveling use natural, eco-friendly materials (excluding cement, which is added on an as-needed basis).

When Is Polyjacking a Good Idea?

Concrete leveling in general, including foam concrete leveling, is a good solution when it comes to:

• Voids underneath the concrete
• Trip hazards
• Settling or uneven concrete slabs
• Concrete raised by tree roots 
• Sinking basements, garages, or other interior floors
• Pooling water around homes or retaining walls

Polyjacking specifically is a good concrete leveling method for…

• Smaller areas and lifts, due to the cost of materials
• Places where larger drill holes will be a problem, like in decorative areas
• Tight, hard-to-reach areas

When Should You Avoid Foam Concrete Lifting?

You shouldn’t go with concrete leveling in general (including polyurethane foam concrete leveling) when:

• Your concrete is crumbling, badly cracked in multiple places, or lifted excessively by tree roots
• You want to change the functionality of the concrete or add a feature
• You want to change the surface texture or look of the concrete overall

Foam concrete leveling specifically is not a good fit if:

• You have a large void to fill
• Your primary concern is getting the slab as even as possible with surrounding slabs

Alternatives to Foam Concrete Lifting

Foam concrete leveling is one of several methods used to restore settled concrete, alongside stone slurry grout concrete leveling and mudjacking. Below you’ll find more information on these alternatives.

• Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Leveling

Stone slurry grout concrete leveling utilizes a mixture of pulverized limestone and water to gradually fill voids beneath the slab, slowly raising it to its proper position.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Stone Slurry Grout Leveling

• Mudjacking

Mudjacking involves pumping a mixture of soil, sand, and water under the slab to lift it back up. Mudjacking is often mistakenly used as an umbrella term to mean “concrete leveling” in general.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Mudjacking

Foam Concrete Leveling FAQ

How long does foam concrete leveling last?

Foam concrete leveling can endure the lifespan of the concrete itself (which can be from 20 to 50+ years) if properly executed and maintained after the fact.

Related Resource: How Long Does Foam Concrete Leveling Last?

How long does foam concrete leveling take?

The entire process of foam concrete leveling usually takes just a few hours. However, for larger projects that span multiple areas, it might take up to 1 to 3 days.

How do I know if foam concrete leveling is the best method for my concrete?

Comparing the different concrete methods side by side, and understanding their advantages and limitations, can help you decide if foam concrete leveling suits your specific requirements.

It’s also a good idea to talk to concrete leveling experts about your unique situation. Getting multiple estimates from different companies can be helpful.

Is Foam Concrete Leveling Right for You?

Foam concrete lifting can be a great way to restore your concrete and eliminate pesky trip hazards. But before choosing this concrete leveling method for your concrete, be sure to learn more about all of your options and weigh the pros and cons of each. 

You can get started by exploring Concrete Academy, or check out the related resources below.

Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve been lifting settled slabs for over 30 years, and in this time we’ve gotten a good sense of when foam is better suited for certain situations. 

If you’d like to get a professional opinion for your concrete, request a free onsite cost estimate from an A-1 Concrete Leveling team near you!

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