When exterior slabs and stairs begin to sink, they can create unsightly, cracked, and uneven surfaces that are not just unattractive; they’re dangerous as well. Depressions and sunken slabs in your exterior patios, walkways, driveway, or external stairways are not only tripping hazards, but they can also create wells for water and moisture to gather in, preventing efficient drainage in your yard.
Innovative Basement Authority has many years of experience in addressing these issues; we have a range of solutions available to lift sunken concrete, stabilize the surface, and restore its appearance.
In this article we will discuss what mudjacking is and why the new solutions we offer are a better option.
What Is Mudjacking?
To put it simply, mudjacking is a repair technique for lifting sunken concrete slabs back into place. This is done with a mortar-based mix of ‘mud’ or ‘slurry’ which requires plenty of time to set. The result is a smooth, sturdy finish that will withstand the exertions of day-to-day life.
The Process
Mudjacking is an invasive solution that requires some excavation and drilling. The extent of drilling and excavation, of course, depends on the amount of damage and the number of damaged slabs requiring treatment. Generally speaking, however, the process will look like this:
- Drilling
Mudjacking requires holes the size of soda cans to be drilled into affected slabs. If there is flooring on top it will have to be lifted or excavated first. These holes must be placed between two and four feet apart and the exact number and placement depend on the damage present.
- Mixing
Once the insertion sites have been prepared, the slurry for mudjacking has to be properly prepared. The precise mixture can vary, but the key components are soil, sand, water, and limestone.
- Installation
The prepared slurry is pumped hydraulically into the void below the affected concrete slabs. The slurry will fill this void, and the pressure will fill the void, but usually in a cone-shape. This will only prevent the concrete slab or slabs from moving and will do nothing to raise or lift the concrete.
- Restoration
It takes between 24 and 48 hours for the mudjacking mix to solidify enough to have weight placed upon it. Once the installation process has been completed, the drill sites will be filled and covered and your flooring restored.
The Cons of Mudjacking
If you are considering mudjacking as a possible solution to sinking, cracked, or damaged concrete slabs in and around your home, there are some negative aspects that you should be aware of. Always should start by contacting an expert.
The Cons:
- Not suitable for foundation repair
- May be too heavy for unstable soil
- Semi-permanent
- Invasive
- Heavy and difficult to install
- Doesn’t cover the entire concrete slab
- Can damage the concrete over time
- Expensive
- Does not promise lifting of concrete
Alternative Solutions
When it comes to concrete lifting solutions, mudjacking is not the best solution. Here at Innovative Basement Authority, have a selection of concrete lifting products that will give you the best possible results.
- PolyRenewal™
The PolyRenewal™ system is an effective replacement for the traditional mudjacking method. This is because of its unique, two-step polyurethane foam which provides superior lift, durability, and water resistance at a fraction of the weight of traditional mudjacking. We recommend PolyRenewal™ instead of mudjacking because it is quicker, less invasive, and it provides a permanent solution.
This foam cures much quicker than mudjacking, reaches 90% of its rigidity within 30 minutes. While mudjacking takes up to 48 hours to set and concrete replacement can see you having to wait up to 28 weeks for it to be fully set.
- Foundation Piers
Foundation piers are a far better solution to foundational problems like subsidence and settlement. After all, these issues are caused by the fundamental inability of the soil underneath a property to support the structure and provide a solid base. Subsidence is usually caused by soil saturation and displays itself as sinking, usually uneven. Settlement, by contrast, is most often caused by soil dehydration and sees certain sections of a property’s foundation cracking and sinking into chasms left by soil contraction.
Different forms of foundation piers can be deployed to repair the structure of your property. Push piers are straight and rely on the weight of a property while helical piers are essentially screwed into the ground. We also install slab piers specifically for slab foundations that are settling and need supported.
Expert Concrete Lifting from Innovative Basement Authority
If you have concerns about sunken concrete slabs in or around your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly to learn more about how your property can benefit from foundation repairs or our state-of-the-art PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting solution. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and repair quote with our expert team!
