What Is Mudjacking Concrete | Mudjacking Pros and Cons | How Much Does Mudjacking Cost
What Is Mudjacking Concrete | Mudjacking Pros and Cons | How Much Does Mudjacking Cost
What Is Mudjacking?
Mud jacking involves pumping material underneath a sunken concrete surface to lift it back up to its intended elevation. It is the raising of a pavement or railroad subgrade by means of mud pumped under it through drilled holes
This concrete repair starts with drilling a few small holes in the settled concrete slabs. Next, a cement slurry is pumped through the holes. This mixture fills voids or empty areas in the soil, which works to stabilize the slab foundation.
The process is called mud jacking because it’s a bit like jacking up a car from underneath when you have to change a flat tire.
Mudjacking is the most widely used method for elevating and stabilizing settled concrete slabs. This restoration process, also known as slabjacking or concrete lifting, is highly effective and produces long-term results.
Mudjacking, in general, can elevate and rebuild practically any concrete slab. Concrete lifting, on the other hand, is not ideal for foundation issues.
Furthermore, mudjacking may not be the best restoration option if the damage is substantial – for example, if the slab is excessively crumbled or crushed.
How Mud Jacking Is Done (Process)
Here’s how it works in three simple steps.
Step 1. Drilling Holes
The first step is to drill a series of 2-inch holes into the concrete surface. Typically, the holes will be positioned in strategic positions in order to lift the concrete section as much as possible.
It is always more than one hole, with three to five being a decent average. The repair staff would space them evenly or regularly in a pattern or at a consistent distance from the concrete’s edge.
Step 2 : Lifting with cement Slurry
Next, the cement slurry is pumped under the slab by means of a specially designed pump. The goal is to lift the concrete section using the process of permeation.
The concrete will be lifted through this permeating of the mud particles that are inserted inside it. The mud will include tons of tiny stones and other matter that are then forced into the original concrete slab by permiscuities, holes and other deformations in it.
After the slurry has been pumped under all of the concrete pieces that need to be lifted, the work crew will double-check that everything is back in place and has returned to its original slope. The two-inch holes drilled into the concrete will be filled up and leveled.
Step 3 : Curing
Finally, the concrete slab is allowed to cure. This process can take anywhere from one to two days, and it is required before the operation can be considered complete.
What Mudjacking Can (and Cannot) Fix
Mud jacking is typically used on driveways and basement foundations. It is also regularly employed on sidewalks, so long as the problem has not deteriorated too much or involved other structural elements of the property.
The repair process is typically successful in repairing concrete slabs that have previously been tested for integrity. It is not so good at repairing damaged concrete that has reached the point of no return; a slab that is too crumbled or crushed to be restored.
Where is Mudjacking the Right Solution?
Mudjacking can be used in the following areas
- Cracked sidewalks
- Sunken porches
- Uneven patios
- Fractured pool decks
- Damaged driveways
- Sagging parking lots
How Much Does Mudjacking Cost?
If the problem is relatively minor and repairs will suffice, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 (for as little as one hole) to several thousand dollars each for various types of mudjacking work.
Mudjacking costs between $3 and $6 per square foot, while foam jacking costs between $5 and $25 per square foot.
Mudjacking repairs are typically only a few bucks per square foot. Concrete slab replacement, on the other hand, might cost close to $50 per square foot due to shipping and disposal fees, equipment costs, and labor rates.
However, some factors can influence mudjacking costs. The size of the restoration area is essential since larger settled slabs may have larger gaps or air pockets in the soil beneath. In that situation, additional cement slurry would be required to fill the vacant gaps, raising the material costs.
Mudjacking Pros and Cons
What are the Pros/Advantages & Benefits of MudJacking?
Mudjacking is Economical
Do you want to repair the damaged concrete in a cost-effective manner? Mudjacking costs a fraction of the cost of replacing the sheet.
Slabjacking is also less expensive than polyjacking due to the lower cost of the materials required, yet it is a similar procedure of cement restoration.
Mudjacking Resolves the Issue
Slab restoration does not address the soil voids beneath the damaged concrete. The plate can still be rested because there are still empty air spaces. During the slabjacking operation, the soil spaces are filled.
As a result, the concrete is far more sturdy and safe, and the repair takes much longer.
Mudjacking Repair Fast
In comparison to slab replacement, slabjacking repair is a quick operation. While larger works may take longer, most mudjacking works are done in one or two hours.
Mudjacking Does Not Keep You Waiting
The replacement slab could take many weeks to finish. The surface cannot be used until the concrete heals, which could take a month or more once the treatment is completed.
With mudjacking, the sheet is ready for light use soon after the repair is completed. After a few hours or overnight, the concrete is ready for high weight.
Repair that is Environment Friendly
And who doesn’t these days when it comes to becoming green? – Slabjacking is the best way of repair.
The cement slurry is manufactured entirely of natural ingredients, the procedure produces no waste, and the job requires very little energy. In fact, slabjacking is the most environmentally friendly concrete rehabilitation process.
It’s Less Messy Than a Complete Replacement
The process of mud jacking is less noisy, far quicker, and less messy then removing the entire broken slab out of your driveway or walkway, which usually includes using a jackhammer and some serious elbow grease.
What are the Cons/Disadvantages of MudJacking?
Mud jacking does not increase the lifespan of your surfaces.
Even though mud jacking fixes the problem of uneven concrete, it will not extend the life of your concrete areas or prevent the need for replacement if they are older and more extensively damaged. As a result, prior to investing, a first assessment by a licensed professional is strongly suggested.
Mud jacking does not address the issue of cracks.
This procedure is excellent for elevating sunken slabs, but it does not address cracking damage. In order for the mud jacking method to work well, you must first address the problem of cracks on your concrete surface.
How Long Does Mudjacking Last?
Mudjacking uses a unique cement slurry that is strong enough to hold the slab in place for several years. In reality, the majority of homeowners say that their repairs endure 8 to 10 years.
Mudjacking Vs Polylevel
What is the cost of PolyLevel?
PolyLevel costs roughly $15 per square foot, which is around 30% to 40% more than ordinary mudjacking. PolyLevel is a patented high-density polyurethane foam that is used for heavy-duty concrete stabilizing operations such as home foundation and driveway work. This polyfoam can cure in as little as 30 minutes.
What Is Better Mudjacking Or Polyurethane?
A polyurethane injection will outlast a mudjacking repair process. This means you won’t have to replace the concrete as frequently, which will save you money over time.
Mudjacking is a less expensive and more traditional form of concrete rehabilitation. A lower starting price does not always imply a greater value.
For these reasons, a polyurethane injection should be preferred over mudjacking. It will provide you with a greater value for your money as well as a longer-lasting, more aesthetically pleasing repair. It’s also a versatile solution for repairing concrete throughout your home.
Mudjacking can survive for a long time, but it is fundamentally less reliable and must be updated on a regular basis.
Because the injected materials are extraordinarily heavy (30-50 times heavier than their polyurethane counterpart), they can generate a new cycle of soil compression (and foundation sinking) beneath the slab.
Polyurethane injection is a long-lasting treatment that employs lightweight materials that do not generate further soil compression and flow readily during the injection process.
