Pool Deck Void Filling at Greenbriar Apartments in Tulsa
Today, our team is on site at Greenbriar Apartments in Tulsa, Oklahoma, performing pool deck void filling using high-density polyurethane foam injections. This multifamily commercial property experienced significant soil erosion beneath the pool deck, creating dangerous voids that threatened the structural integrity of the surrounding concrete. Level Home is addressing the problem with precision foam injection technology that fills every void and lifts sunken concrete sections back to grade.
This project highlights a common issue we see at commercial and multifamily properties across the Tulsa metro: water erosion around pool areas washing out the supporting soils beneath concrete flatwork. When left unaddressed, these voids lead to cracking, sinking, and potential safety hazards for residents and guests. Our concrete leveling solutions are designed specifically for situations like this.
What Caused the Voids Beneath the Pool Deck?
Swimming pools and their surrounding decks are inherently vulnerable to soil erosion. Water is constantly present, whether from splash out, poor drainage, minor plumbing leaks in the pool system, or even improper grading that directs rainwater beneath the concrete. Over time, this persistent moisture works its way under the pool deck and gradually washes away the supporting soil.
At Greenbriar Apartments, the combination of poor drainage around the pool area and years of water exposure eroded the underlying soils, creating significant voids. The concrete deck remained in place initially, but without soil support underneath, sections began to settle and crack. This is a textbook scenario we encounter regularly at multifamily properties, where pools see heavy use and drainage systems may not have been designed to handle the volume of water movement around the deck area.
Why Pool Decks Are Especially Prone to Soil Erosion
Pool decks face a unique combination of challenges that make them more susceptible to void formation than typical exterior concrete. The constant presence of water from the pool itself, combined with foot traffic, chemical treatments, and seasonal freeze and thaw cycles in Oklahoma, all contribute to accelerated soil loss beneath the concrete surface.
Unlike a standard patio or driveway, pool decks are continuously exposed to moisture from multiple sources. Splash water, filter backwash, and even condensation all contribute to soil saturation. Once the soil beneath becomes saturated, it becomes far easier for water to carry particles away, creating channels and voids that grow over time. Our team sees this pattern frequently, and polyurethane foam injection is the ideal solution because of its ability to fill irregular void shapes completely while remaining waterproof.
The Polyurethane Foam Injection Process for Void Filling
High-density polyurethane foam injection is a minimally invasive process that allows our crew to address voids and sunken concrete without tearing out and replacing the existing deck. Here is how it works at a project like Greenbriar Apartments:
- Assessment: Our team evaluates the pool deck to identify areas of settlement, cracking, and void formation. We use a combination of visual inspection and probing to map the extent of soil loss.
- Drilling injection ports: Small holes (typically 5/8 inch in diameter) are drilled through the concrete at strategic locations over the identified voids.
- Foam injection: High-density polyurethane foam is injected through the ports. The foam expands rapidly, flowing into and filling every void beneath the slab. Where concrete has settled, the expanding foam also lifts the slab back toward its original elevation.
- Curing: The foam cures in approximately 15 minutes, reaching its full structural strength quickly. This means the pool deck can be returned to service the same day.
- Port sealing: The small drill holes are patched and sealed, leaving a clean, finished appearance.
This process is far less disruptive than traditional slab replacement, which would require demolishing and re-pouring sections of the deck. For a busy apartment complex like Greenbriar, minimizing downtime and disruption to residents is critical.
Why High-Density Foam Is Superior for Pool Deck Repair
Not all polyurethane foams are equal. Level Home uses high-density polyurethane foam specifically engineered for structural applications like concrete lifting and void filling. This material offers several key advantages for pool deck applications:
- Waterproof: Unlike mudjacking materials or low-density foams, high-density polyurethane is completely waterproof. It will not break down, wash away, or lose its structural properties when exposed to moisture, making it ideal for the wet environment around a pool.
- Lightweight: The foam weighs significantly less than the soil it replaces, reducing the load on the underlying ground and minimizing the risk of further settlement.
- Precision lifting: The expansion rate of the foam can be carefully controlled, allowing our crew to lift sunken concrete to exact specifications without over-correction.
- Permanent: High-density polyurethane foam does not shrink, rot, or degrade over time. Once cured, it provides a permanent structural fill.
These properties make polyurethane foam injection the preferred method for concrete leveling and void filling in demanding commercial environments.
Commercial and Multifamily Property Expertise
Greenbriar Apartments is the latest in a growing portfolio of commercial and multifamily projects that Level Home has completed across the Tulsa area. Our Level Structural division specializes in commercial and civil infrastructure work, bringing the same precision and quality that our residential clients expect to larger scale projects.
Recent commercial work includes crack injection and foam stabilization at Hillcrest Medical Center, helical pier installation at the Tulsa Firefighters Credit Union, and numerous other projects across the metro. Property managers and commercial building owners trust Level Home because we understand the unique demands of commercial work: tight timelines, minimal disruption to tenants and operations, and long-lasting structural solutions.
Concrete Lifting vs. Void Filling: What Is the Difference?
While related, concrete lifting and void filling are distinct services that often go hand in hand, as they do at the Greenbriar project.
Void filling focuses on injecting polyurethane foam into the empty spaces beneath a concrete slab to restore structural support. The goal is to fill the voids created by soil erosion, compaction, or washout, preventing further settlement and potential slab collapse.
Concrete lifting (also called slab jacking or foam jacking) uses the expansive force of the polyurethane foam to physically raise sunken concrete back to its proper elevation. This restores a level, safe surface and eliminates trip hazards.
At Greenbriar Apartments, our team is performing both services: filling the erosion voids to restore soil support and lifting settled sections of the pool deck back to grade. This comprehensive approach ensures the entire pool deck is structurally sound and level. Learn more about how we approach sunken concrete and water ponding repair on our blog.
Can Pools Themselves Settle? Level Home Has Solutions
While the Greenbriar project involves only the pool deck and surrounding concrete, it is worth noting that pools themselves can settle due to soil erosion, poor compaction, or the same drainage issues that affect decks. When a pool structure settles, it can crack the shell, compromise plumbing connections, and create serious structural concerns.
Level Home has solutions for pool settlement as well, including deep foundation stabilization using helical piers and slab foundation repair techniques. While pool settlement was not an issue at Greenbriar, property managers should be aware that early intervention on deck voids and drainage issues can help prevent more extensive problems down the line.
The Role of Drainage in Preventing Future Damage
Void filling and concrete lifting address the existing damage, but preventing recurrence requires addressing the root cause: water management. Our team always recommends evaluating and improving drainage around pool areas as part of any repair project.
For commercial pool decks, this may include regrading the surrounding landscape to direct water away from the deck, installing channel drains or French drains to capture and redirect surface water, and ensuring that pool equipment discharge is properly routed away from the deck area. Proper drainage is the single most important factor in protecting a pool deck investment long term, a principle that applies equally to plumbing leak situations that can undermine foundations.
Why Property Managers Choose Polyurethane Foam Injection
For multifamily and commercial property managers, polyurethane foam injection offers a compelling combination of speed, durability, and cost effectiveness that traditional repair methods simply cannot match.
- Speed: Most pool deck void filling and lifting projects are completed in a single day. At Greenbriar, our team is completing the entire scope of work today.
- Minimal disruption: No heavy demolition equipment, no concrete trucks, no extended closures. The small drill holes and quiet injection process mean residents can continue using adjacent amenities with minimal inconvenience.
- Cost savings: Foam injection typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than full slab replacement, freeing up capital reserves for other property improvements.
- Longevity: The waterproof, non-degrading properties of high-density polyurethane foam mean the repair is permanent, eliminating the need for repeated maintenance.
These benefits make foam injection the go-to solution for property managers across the Tulsa area. If you manage a commercial or multifamily property with concrete concerns, our commercial services page outlines the full range of solutions we offer.
Signs Your Pool Deck May Need Void Filling or Concrete Lifting
Property managers and homeowners should watch for these warning signs around pool areas:
- Visible gaps between the pool coping and the surrounding deck
- Uneven or sunken sections of concrete around the pool
- Cracking in the pool deck, especially in a pattern radiating from the pool edge
- Water pooling or ponding on the deck surface after rain
- A hollow sound when walking on certain sections of the deck
- Visible soil washout or erosion near deck edges
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to act quickly. Voids beneath concrete only grow larger over time, and what starts as a minor settlement can quickly become a major structural and safety concern. Our team offers free inspections for properties experiencing these issues.
Level Home’s Approach to Every Project
Whether it is a single family home with a sinking patio or a large multifamily complex like Greenbriar Apartments, Level Home approaches every project with the same commitment to quality, transparency, and long-term results. We believe in educating our clients about the problem, the solution options, and the expected outcomes before any work begins.
Our warranty and guarantee program backs every project we complete, giving property owners confidence that their investment is protected. We are proud to serve the greater Tulsa area and surrounding communities with honest, expert structural repair services.
Schedule Your Free Pool Deck Inspection
If your pool deck is showing signs of settlement, cracking, or void formation, do not wait for the problem to get worse. Contact Level Home today to schedule a free inspection. Our team will assess the condition of your concrete, identify any voids or soil loss, and recommend the most effective repair strategy for your property.
Call us or visit our commercial services page to learn more about polyurethane foam injection for pool decks, void filling, concrete lifting, and other structural solutions. We proudly serve Tulsa and surrounding areas across Oklahoma.
