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Our FAQ’s

We all want more information when it comes to the making important decisions regarding the maintenance and care of our assets. Real Level understands that trust and honesty are high priority when selecting a contractor or service provider, and want to be as informative and transparent as possible throughout our relationship. 

We’ve compiled our most frequently asked questions to help assure you that you are making the right decision, and to ensure that you are informed throughout the entire process from estimate to execution and beyond. Because not every home or business is a candidate for polyurethane foam solutions, you can trust that Real Level will assess, and advise what is best for your personalized condition. 

If you still have any questions, please reach out through the Let’s Chat feature on this site, contact form below, or call us directly today!

Facts we've compiled from Our FAQ's

What areas does Real Level service?

We service the entire Metropolitan Edmonton and vicinity area. If you are unsure if your area is covered, please reach out through our contact and estimate form.

We schedule projects Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. In respect of the communities we work in, all projects will be assessed for the most appropriate time of day to arrive and carry out the work including working around your schedule.

We accept Cash, E-transfer, and all major credit cards. All payments are made securely with payment receipts on completion. We are also partnered with FinanceIt to offer installment payments for qualified accounts. Real Level requires a 10% deposit for all bookings.

We make our best effort to open communication as soon as possible. Most inquiries are responded to within 24 hrs of submitting. Because we want to understand your request to the best of our ability, we may request photos or additional clarifying information throughout the process and to schedule our site specific assessment.

Without drilling ports, there are no measurable methods for us to verify the exact volume of void spacing. We use experience that considers modern construction methods, assessment of the probable cause and effect of the erosion, and any visual means of gauging the void to provide an estimate. We do request that when possible, the project owner or representative be present at the start of the process to ensure we can communicate any abnormal depths, or voids that may exceed the original estimates before proceeding.

We make our best effort to open communication as soon as possible. Most inquiries are responded to within 24 hrs of submitting. Because we want to understand your request to the best of our ability, we may request photos or additional clarifying information throughout the process and to schedule our site specific assessment.

You will be scheduled in at the earliest availability. We will work together to schedule a suitable date. Schedules will be projected based on the scope of your project, the approximate duration to execute, your location, and your proximity to other Real Level projects. Reach out through the contact or estimate form to discuss our current timelines.

We operate out of a compact 8.5 meter / 28 foot long cube style truck that can fit in front of most residential homes. Our ability to extend our application process up to 200′ from the truck makes us one of the most versatile companies offering polyurethane services in your area as we have eliminated the need for a truck/trailer/ramp spacing that can require up to 18 meters/ 60 feet of home frontage.

Residential services require a 10m parking area be reserved nearest to the service area prior to our arrival. Remove all heavy items, vehicles, and machinery from area if possible. For garages, and interior work, we will advise any items that need to be moved or relocated to complete the service during the pre-work assessments.

Depending on the scope of work or scheduled day, we typically operate with between 1-3 workers per site. All employees of Real Level are managed under our quality assurance program ensuring they have background checks, and fit for duty responsibilities to qualify. Alberta workers compensation board insures our employees while at work, as well as commercial liability insurance in a dedication to our quality obligations.

While we have made efforts to ensure we are as discreet as possible and do fall under the regulated limitations of the municipalities we operate in, our process generator does emit a mild amount of noise while in operation. We have measured this noise to be ~85 decibels within 3 meters of the street unit, which quickly dissipates to less than 60 decibels beyond that perimeter. The noise level has been compared to hearing a vacuum cleaner operate in the background, and in comparison, a normal conversation is estimated between 45-60 decibels.

Yes, most slabs can be corrected. Even large cracked slabs can be adjusted individually using our services. There are however, limitations to the condition of slab that can be lifted if already cracked. We will assess each project inquiry, and provide honest evaluation of your cracked concretes probability of a quality repair which is always the goal of Real Level.

Cracks may show up during or after the lifting process due to the existing stress on the slab from sinking, shifting, being out of balance, freeze/thaw cycles, or a combination of all. As this stress is not measurable, we cannot accept liability for any new showing flaws. We are careful and cautious during the lift, and selective of the positions used to jack your concrete based on our pre-evaluation to ensure we are limiting stress and shock to the slab.

We strive to get all concrete as close to it’s original elevation and pitch, however, even though our namesake strives to achieve this with all projects, attaining perfectly level slabs after sinking or shifting is not always possible.

If the soil base is unconsolidated deeper than the surface level, generally weak, or subject to further erosion from natural or imposed causes after the foam application, there could be further settlement possible. However, polyurethane foam compresses unstable soil as it expands during the lift. It provides a lightweight bonded support base that under most situations will not further settle or tilt.

Yes! Our services are warrantied for a minimum of 3 years. We will re-inject if the settling is related to our service or product at no additional charge to the customer.

We use a concrete mortar mix, along with dyes to fill and patch the holes with our best effort to match the existing color and texture. These spots may still be visible, but typically fade and blend in even better over time. The greater advantage to our process is the holes are discreet in size, and spaced out limiting the amount of evidence that work has been completed.

What is Polyurethane Foam?

Polyurethane foam is created through a reaction that takes place when the two part poly and iso liquids are blended. Mixed at the correct ratio, the compound expands multiple times its original volume into a permanently hardened, dense foam that is chemically inert, non-leaching, and not considered hazardous.

It can be permanent. It will not crack, shrink, or washout over time, and has been proven to last many years acting as a support base under your slab.

Yes! The foam created during the injection process is considered to be ‘hydrophobic’. During the reaction process, it expands and expels water as it forms helping to displace any standing water from its location. Once the foam is formed, it then acts as a barrier, does not absorb moisture, and helps to prevent new introduction of water from settling or accessing the area.

Is polyjacking the same as mudjacking?

Both polyurethane jacking and mud jacking pump material under existing concrete slabs through ports to achieve void fill and slab lifting and correction. Please compare the remainder of the FAQ’s in this category to understand the superior advantages of using poly jacking methods in comparison.

Mudjacking is generally less expensive than polyjacking. However, because mudjacking is a slurry, it has tendency to erode or washout over time requiring repeated applications to maintain its effectiveness.

Polyjacking’s initial price tag can be higher than the comparison due to it’s technical two component makeup that has quickly gained recognition for its longevity and durability.

This category is a clear cut winner for polyurethane jacking as the material cures in minutes. In most cases the slab is ready to be put back into full service before we are offsite, and as precaution, within only a few hours for larger void fill applications.

 

Mud jacking will always require a setup and curing period that typically consumes 24 hours and up to 72+ hours before the slab can resume regular service.

Being a lightweight in this corner has significant advantage. The cured foam weighs only 2-4 pounds per cubic foot on average. The soil that is already struggling to support your slab will appreciate your consideration.

 

Mudjacking slurry in comparison can be upwards of 100 pounds per cubic foot which could accelerate further settling when applied over already weak, or unstable soils.

Mudjacking requires drilled injection ports that normally span between 4.0 – 6.5 cm (~1.5 – 2.5″). Even the best mud jacking applications may leave visible blemishes on the surface of the concrete.

 

Polyurethane drilled injection ports are significantly less intrusive at only 1.5 cm (5/8″) and because the foam can travel before expanding, there are less holes required on average.

 

Both poly and mud ports are re-filled and blended to best possible finish, but the smaller of the two are often much more inconspicuous.

Polyurethane lifting can reach into tight back yards, narrow accesses in buildings, and basements as a few examples with ease. Because the process only requires the handheld material gun at the injection points, we simply unroll more hose to extend from the base unit up to 200′ away quickly and easily.

 

Mudjacking, in most applications uses a gas engine pump and a mobile slurry mixer/hopper to access its lifting points. This limits its reach through narrow corridors as well as into confined areas. A slickline can be used to extend reach further, but must be planned ahead and is not as agile as the comparison.

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Before You Replace It,
See If We Can Lift It.

Have a sinking driveway, uneven sidewalk, settled garage floor, or another concrete slab that’s moved?

Tell us what’s happening and send a few photos of the area.
Real Level will help determine whether polyurethane concrete lifting is the right solution.

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Call +1 587-400-3986