At Precision Foundation Repair, we take pride in every job we do, but there is something special about serving the people who serve our community.
We recently had the privilege of revisiting a project at the Stephenville Fire Station. This project is a perfect example of why modern concrete lifting is superior to traditional replacement, especially for high-traffic, critical-access facilities.
Here is a look at how we solved a major sinking slab issue for the Stephenville Fire Department without stopping their vital operations.
The Challenge: Heavy Loads and Water Drainage
When we first inspected the station, the main entrance—used by both the front and back of the structure—was showing significant signs of distress.
Commercial concrete slabs in places like fire stations face two major enemies:
- Heavy Loads: Fire trucks and ambulances are incredibly heavy, exerting massive pressure on the concrete.
- Moisture: The station washes trucks constantly, and there were significant drainage issues stemming from a vacant lot next door.
This combination caused the soil beneath the slab to erode and compress, leading the slab to sink. For a facility that houses emergency vehicles, uneven concrete isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a safety hazard and a liability for the equipment.
Why Demolition Was Not an Option
For a residential driveway, tearing out old concrete and pouring new cement is an inconvenience. For a fire station, it is a logistical nightmare.
This is a very active building. People are in and out 24/7, and emergency vehicles must have unimpeded access to the road at all times. Tearing out the concrete would have meant closing off bays for days or weeks to allow for demolition, pouring, and curing. That simply wasn’t an option for the first responders of Stephenville.
The Solution: Surgical Concrete Lifting
To solve this problem without shutting down the station, we utilized our Polyurethane Concrete Lifting process.
Instead of destroying the slab, we drilled small access holes and injected high-density structural foam beneath the concrete. This allowed us to:
- Work One Bay at a Time: We lifted the slab in sections, meaning the rest of the station remained fully operational.
- Stabilize the Soil: The foam fills the voids caused by the drainage issues and compacts the soil, creating a solid base for the heavy trucks.
- Zero Cure Time: Unlike poured concrete, our polymer foam cures in minutes. The fire trucks could drive on the repaired slab almost immediately.
Protecting the Investment: Joint Sealing and Maintenance
Lifting the concrete was only step one. To ensure the repair lasts, we had to address the moisture intrusion.
We identified several large cracks and open expansion joints where water—from both the truck washing and recent snow/rain runoff—was getting under the slab. If left unsealed, this water would continue to wash away the soil and cause the slab to sink again via the freeze-thaw cycle.
We applied a self-leveling mastic to seal all cracks and expansion joints. This sealant is designed to:
- Keep moisture out of the sub-grade.
- Flex with the concrete during temperature changes.
- Withstand the heavy traffic of emergency vehicles.
Serving Stephenville’s First Responders
We feel incredibly fortunate to have worked for a number of firefighters and EMTs in the area. They have an important role in our community, and ensuring their station is safe and operational is the least we can do.
Whether it is a critical municipal building or your backyard patio, the principles remain the same: fix the root cause, stabilize the slab, and seal it against future damage.
Need Commercial Concrete Repair in Stephenville?
If you manage a commercial property or a municipal building in Stephenville, TX, and you can’t afford downtime, contact us today. We can lift and level your concrete fast, effectively, and with minimal disruption.
Call Precision Foundation Repair: 254-434-6694 Or request a free estimate online.