12 Mar Benefits of Mudjacking

Concrete spaces in our homes deteriorate over time. Common issues include parts or portions of the concrete settling or becoming uneven.

Replacing the entire concrete can be expensive, so most homeowners consider this a last resort, especially since there are other concrete repair options available.

One of the most common solutions to concrete settling is mudjacking. It raises and levels concrete whether the issue is outdoors in your driveway or sidewalk, or indoors in your basement floors. Mudjacking is a good alternative to replacing the entire concrete.

Here are more advantages of mudjacking.

Repair Cost Savings

Mudjacking has many benefits, but among those that top the list is its affordability in comparison with other concrete repair options. The end result of mudjacking is similar to that of complete concrete replacement but without the high cost.

It is able to keep the cost down because the concrete repair method uses fewer materials and less labor. The slurry that mudjacking uses is significantly cheaper compared with new concrete. In addition, because there’s no need to rip out the old concrete and pour in new cement, mudjacking is less labor intensive compared with full concrete replacement. Plus, you won’t need frequent repairs in the future too because mudjacking addresses the underlying issues of soil settling and erosion.

Speedy Repair That Reduces Downtime

If you’re a business owner, every second counts and even minute interruptions can cause significant adverse effects. So, if you had to have some repair done to sunken or settled concrete in your sidewalk, pavement, or other areas, you’d prefer an option that minimizes your downtime as much as possible.

Downtime is a period where business operations and processes stop for one reason or another. It is an involuntarily unproductive time where the business is unable to conduct business or serve clients.

With mudjacking, business owners only have to wait several hours for the concrete repair to be completed. Unlike concrete replacement, normal business operations can resume  sooner rather than waiting for days for the new concrete to fully become dry and usable.

Minimal Disturbance

The mudjacking process generally follows three steps. First, small holes are drilled in the settled or sunken concrete slab. Second, the slurry is injected beneath the slab. Third, the holes are patched and cleaned.

It’s a short procedure and one that doesn’t require demolition and heavy equipment. So, there is minimal disturbance to the house or building and its surroundings. For instance, landscaping will remain intact.

In contrast, complete concrete repair follows a lengthy process that involves destroying the settled or sunken concrete and pouring new cement in its place, which takes days to cure and dry. Aside from the heavy equipment and debris littering your yard, this process also requires more workers than mudjacking.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Mudjacking is a green alternative to concrete replacement. It benefits the environment in three major ways.

First, mudjacking reduces your environmental footprint. Concrete plays a huge part in concrete replacement, but the production of cement uses a significant amount of energy. By extending the life of existing concrete rather than replacing it, mudjacking decreases the demand for new concrete.

Second, it conserves resources by reducing consumption of raw materials. The slurry used in mudjacking typically includes naturally occurring materials, such as sand.

Third, mudjacking deals with minimal debris. Unlike concrete replacement, it doesn’t need to demolish concrete. So, there’s significantly less debris that has to be disposed of in landfills.

Durable Solution to Concrete Issues

The process of mudjacking typically starts with an analysis of soil conditions. This includes determining what caused the concrete to sink or settle. In this way, mudjacking professionals can hit two birds with one stone: (1) fix the concrete’s sinking or settling problem and (2) prevent future issues of sinking and settling from occurring.

In addition to an in-depth or thorough evaluation of the problem, mudjacking professionals use high-strength materials that can withstand climate challenges, such as shifting caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.

In short, mudjacking aims to address the underlying issues of sinking and settling to ensure a more durable outcome. Plus, most professional mudjacking companies have warranties.

Uniform Concrete Color

A huge disadvantage of concrete replacement is the mismatch in color and texture of the old and new cement. Matching the two is virtually impossible to do, as the old concrete has already experienced wear and tear while the new one is basically immaculate.

So, it is usually obvious when someone has done a concrete replacement in their yard or elsewhere. The new concrete sticks out like a sore thumb.

In contrast, mudjacking is done by drilling small holes in the problematic concrete slab. While the patched-up holes might be noticeable up close, they are barely discernible from a distance.

Improve Safety and Reduce Liability

As a business owner, it is essential to keep your employees and customers safe at all times. Otherwise, you could be looking at a lawsuit that could ruin your reputation and cost you a big amount of money. Meanwhile, homeowners want to keep themselves and their families and loved ones safe in their house and vicinity.

So, if you have uneven concrete, you’d want to fix it as soon as possible. With concrete replacement, you’ll have to wait for days before things get back to normal and you can use the area again. Not to mention all the heavy equipment, laborers, and ruckus included in the process. The working area becomes just another danger zone.

With mudjacking, however, these issues are quickly addressed. In just a matter of hours, the uneven concrete is fixed and you can safely use the space again within the day.

Rise in the Value of Your Property

Imagine being a home buyer and the first thing you see when you get to the property are sinking, settling, or uneven concrete surfaces. How would you view the property and its value?

Uneven concrete indicates a lack of care and decreases the appearance and value of the property in the buyer’s eyes. Issues like these can cause a delay in the sale of the property and increase the risk of injuries for agents and home buyers who are viewing the property.

Even if those problems are inside the house, it’s still a big turn off for potential buyers. Plus, they raise questions about the home’s overall integrity.

On the other hand, a well-maintained property is pleasant to the eyes. It poses no risks to buyers and signals to them that the property is a safe and stable investment. As more buyers become interested in the property, ergo more competition, the selling price increases too.