Mudjacking: Pros, Cons, and Superior Options
When exterior slabs and stairs begin to sink, it creates unsightly, cracked, and uneven surfaces that are unattractive and dangerous.
Depressions and sunken slabs in your exterior patios, sidewalks, driveway, or external concrete stairs are not only tripping hazards but also allow water to pool where it shouldn’t.
Innovative Basement Authority has many years of experience 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 discuss mudjacking and why our new solutions 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” that requires plenty of time to set.
The Mudjacking Process
Mudjacking is an invasive solution that requires excavation and drilling. The extent depends on the amount of damage and the number of slabs requiring treatment.
Generally speaking, the process will look like this:
- Drilling
Mudjacking requires drilling holes the size of soda cans 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 must be properly prepared. The precise mixture can vary, but the key components are soil, sand, water, and limestone.
- Installation
The prepared slurry is pumped into the void below the affected concrete slabs. The slurry will fill the void, usually in a cone shape. This will only prevent the concrete slabs from moving and may not do anything 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, including:
- Not suitable for foundation repair
- May be too heavy for unstable soil
- Semi-permanent
- Invasive
- Heavy and difficult to install
- Can damage the concrete over time
- Expensive
- Does not promise the lifting of concrete
Superior Alternative Solutions
When it comes to concrete lifting solutions, mudjacking is not the best option.
Here at Innovative Basement Authority, have a selection of products that will give you the best possible results.
Concrete Lifting with PolyRenewal™
The PolyRenewal™ system is an effective replacement for traditional mudjacking. Its unique, two-part polyurethane foam 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 provides a permanent solution.
This foam cures in just 15 minutes. Mudjacking takes up to 48 hours to set, and concrete replacement can take up to 28 weeks to fully set.
Foundation Repair with Foundation Piers
Foundation piers are a far better solution to foundational problems like settlement.
These issues are caused by the soil’s inability to support the structure properly. Subsidence happens when saturated soil causes uneven sinking, while settlement occurs when dry soil leads to foundation cracking and sinking due to soil contraction.
Various foundation piers can fix these problems. Push piers use the property’s weight for stability, helical piers screw into the ground, and slab piers are designed specifically for supporting settling slab foundations.
Contact Innovative Basement Authority for Expert Concrete Lifting
If you have concerns about sunken concrete slabs in or around your home, don’t wait for them to turn into safety hazards.
Contact our team at Innovative Basement Authority to learn more about how your property can benefit from our state-of-the-art PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting solution or foundation repairs.
Homeowners trust our years of experience and customized repairs, and we’re excited to help you, too. Reach out to us today to schedule a free inspection and repair quote with our expert team!
Mudjacking FAQs
PolyRenewal™ from Innovative Basement Authority is a unique concrete lifting solution designed for precision, durability, and environmental sustainability. It avoids the downsides of heavy equipment use, extensive excavations, and long curing times, offering a quick and effective alternative to traditional repair methods like mudjacking or total replacement.
Foam injections and mudjacking are both methods used to lift and stabilize sunken concrete.
Foam injections use a polyurethane foam that expands and hardens to fill voids and lift the concrete. It is lightweight, quick to install, and provides long-lasting results.
Mudjacking, on the other hand, involves pumping a slurry of cement, sand, and water under the concrete to raise it. While effective, mudjacking is heavier, can take longer to cure, and may not be as durable as foam injections.
Foam injection lifting generally provides a more durable solution, as the foam is lightweight, resistant to water, and less likely to break down over time compared to the heavier, more porous mudjacking material.
Leah Leitow
Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Innovative Basement Authority does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.
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