Concrete is amazing stuff.

It can be poured and shaped into almost anything you like. In fact, humans have been using it to build structures large and small for more than 2,000 years.

But concrete does have its drawbacks. Though incredibly strong and durable, it's not indestructible. And, sadly, the production of concrete — especially the production of the Portland cement that forms its basis — is really bad for the environment.

 

 

Concrete Facts

• Concrete is the most consumed substance on the planet besides water.
• If the cement industry were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of CO₂ behind the US and China (Portland cement is a primary ingredient in concrete).
• Over the past 60 years, nearly 8.9 billion tons of plastic have been produced. The cement industry produces that amount every two years.
• In 2012, concrete production was responsible for nine percent of the world's industrial water use. 
• By 2050, 75 percent of water demand for concrete production will likely occur in water-stressed regions.
• When you replace your driveway or patio with new concrete, the old concrete is typically broken up and taken to a landfill.

So, yes, concrete production is terrible for the planet. But there is something we as homeowners can do to reduce its impact on our environment.

 

Repair, Don't Replace

It's easy to see that the less new concrete we use, the better it is for the environment. This is why repairing broken concrete is the only reasonably sustainable option for homeowners wanting to address broken, sinking or damaged concrete slabs in their driveways, patios, sidewalks and pool decks.

When it comes to repairing concrete, there are two options: mudjacking and polyurethane foam lifting (PolyLevel™ is a preferred brand). So, let's first look at mudjacking.

Mudjacking involves pumping a slurry of Portland cement, soil and water underneath your concrete slabs to "jack" them back up to their original position. While this does work temporarily, it presents several problems. First, it requires drilling large ports in the cement through which the slurry is pumped. When filled in, these ports remain obvious and are considered an eyesore by many. Second, and most important, the mud slurry that is used in the process is heavy. That means it adds weight to the soil beneath it, which can cause the concrete above it to settle further. It should be noted that, as you might suspect with a name like "mudjacking," the whole process is messy.

A better alternative is polyurethane foam lifting. Like mudjacking, this involves the injection of a fluid material underneath the sunken slabs, where it expands and hardens. Unlike mudjacking, the material is incredibly lightweight. It also effectively compresses the soil beneath it as it expands, stabilizing it for a permanent fix. The ports through which it is injected are also much smaller than those used for mudjacking and are typically barely visible when filled in. 

It should be mentioned, by the way, that new concrete has its drawbacks beyond the adverse environmental impact. It us a disruptive process: Your old concrete must be jackhammered into chunks and then hauled away. Then new concrete must be poured in its place and left to cure for a week or more. This means your driveway, patio, etc., cannot be used for that period. Secondly, there's the fact that it doesn't actually fix the failing soil that likely caused your concrete to sink in the first place — something that polyurethane foam does address. 

Save Your Driveway While You Help Save the Planet 

The bottom line is you can repair the concrete around your home and improve its curb appeal (and value!) without pouring new concrete. That’s good for you, and it’s good for the planet.  

Click here to learn more about the benefit of polyurethane foams for concrete stabilization and find a PolyLevel dealer near you. (The planet will thank you.)