Mudjacking is the process of pumping a water, dirt and cement mixture under a concrete slab foundation in order to lift it and stabilize it. The mixture itself is called slurry. The exact ingredients used to make slurry vary from company to company and from job to job. Mudjacking is a commonly used solution used to fix many homeowner concrete problems, including:
1. foundation settling
2. crumbling curbs
3. falling sidewalks
It is common for concrete can sink or settle. There are several reasons for this. Among the more common reasons are:
1. dirt not properly compacted before original concrete installed
2. soil erosion
3. the earth’s natural settlement over time
Once the concrete starts to tilt or sink it can cause walking hazards, unwanted water runoff or major foundation issues.
The entire mudjacking process is simple. First, small holes are drilled into the concrete slab that is to be lifted. The slurry mixture is then pumped into these holes under pressure, filling any gaps under the slab. When the gaps are filled, the slurry becomes pressurized and raises the slab hydraulically to the desired height. Finally, the originally drilled holes are then filled with a concrete mixture.
Although not a particularly complicated process, mudjacking is something not to be attempted by amateurs. To avoid doing greater damage, only experienced professionals should perform this procedure. Amateur attempts at mudjacking can easily result in irreparable cement damage – costing more to repair than the original damage.
Mudjacking is a cost efficient alternative to replacing concrete. Ripping out old concrete and laying new concrete, requires more equipment and more workers than mudjacking does. Replacement costs can be nearly twice the cost of a mudjacking repair. Not only is mudjacking cheaper, it is quicker. Concrete pours can take several days to set fully, while concrete that’s been mudjacked can be ready within hours. And with mudjacking there’s no need to disturb adjacent landscaping.
When the mudjacking job is complete, both the concrete slab and the soil beneath it will be much more structurally sound.
