Restoring Stability: The Importance of Void Filling
Over time, various factors such as soil compaction, animal activity, and water erosion can contribute to the formation of cavities beneath your concrete. These hollow spaces can lead to a variety of problems, including cracked and settled concrete, poor water drainage, and pest infestation. Filling these voids is essential to prevent further damage, additional expenses on repair, and maintaining the integrity of your property.
What is Void Filling?
Void filling refers to the process of filling cavities and empty spaces underneath your concrete surfaces and structures to provide stability and restore structural integrity.
How It Works
Step 1: Prepare the Opening
The opening of the void is first dug out to ensure the pump hose can be fed under the concrete. In situations where this cannot be done, holes are drilled through the surface to allow for injection into the void.
Step 2: Fill the Void
A cementitious slurry mixture of sand, clay, and cement is then pumped into the void until it is completely full.
Step 3: Clean Up
Once the void is full, the dugout ground is then replaced. If injection was used, the holes are patched with fresh concrete. The void is now filled and left to cure. Use of the area can resume immediately.
Advantages of Filling Voids Under Your Concrete
Filling cavities and empty spaces present under concrete offers several significant benefits:
- Prevents Settlement: When voids are left unfilled under your concrete, it can lead to settlement, causing the concrete to sink or become uneven. This can create safety hazards and make the area unusable. By filling voids, you can prevent settlement and maintain a level and stable surface.
- Avoids Animal Intrusion: Unfilled voids provide an open invitation for animals to make their home under your concrete. Burrowing animals such as rodents or ground-dwelling insects may find these voids attractive. This can lead to damage to the concrete and potentially even infestations inside your property. Filling the voids helps deter these unwanted guests and protects your home from potential damage.
- Prevents Costly Future Repairs: Ignoring voids under your concrete can lead to more significant problems in the future. Settlement can cause cracks, uneven surfaces, or complete failure of the concrete. These issues can be expensive to repair or may require complete replacement. By filling the voids early on, you can avoid such costly repairs and save money.
- Extends Concrete Lifespan: Void filling helps to maintain the structural integrity of your concrete. Supporting the concrete and eliminating voids can prevent premature deterioration and extend the overall lifespan of the concrete. This means less frequent repairs or replacements, saving you time and money in the long run.
Void filling under concrete offers numerous advantages, such as preventing settlement, deterring animal intrusions, avoiding expensive repairs, enhancing safety, prolonging the lifespan of the concrete, and improving the overall appeal of your property. It plays a crucial role in maintaining a durable and visually pleasing concrete surface.
Learn More About Concrete Repairs
What if there is an animal living under my concrete?
Unfortunately, we do not offer animal removal services. If you know you have an animal calling your void home, we recommend having the animal removed prior to service.
How long does it usually take for void filling services to be completed?
Most voids can be filled in just a couple of hours. Bigger or less accessible areas may take up to a day.
Can void filling service be completed in cold weather?
Our slurry mixes are made on site. With water being a component, the outside temperature must be above freezing for service.
