12 Apr Concrete Lifting Vs. Mudjacking Pros and Cons

Uneven concrete and small cracks that form along your sidewalk or patio might not seem like a big thing at first glance. However, these are early signs of concrete problems that, given enough time, will snowball into larger issues. Left alone or ignored, sinking or uneven concrete has the potential to affect not only your property’s appearance and safety but also its function and value. So, it’s crucial that you should address these problems promptly to avoid major or more expensive issues later on.

The two most well-known concrete leveling solutions are concrete lifting and mudjacking. They have similar processes, but the have different benefits and drawbacks. It’s essential for you to understand their differences so that you can make informed decisions on what is more suitable for your situation.

Concrete Lifting Advantages and Disadvantages

Compared with mudjacking, concrete lifting is a more contemporary method of repairing concrete. Also called polyurethane foam lifting or polyjacking, it uses a lightweight foam material that is injected into small, penny-sized holes drilled into the sinking or uneven concrete slabs.

The foam serves a dual purpose. First, as the material expands, it fills the gaps under the slab, thereby lifting it back into its original position. In addition, the foam also helps stabilize the underlying soil.

Concrete Lifting Pros

Concrete lifting has several key benefits.

Lightweight but strong material. Concrete lifting uses polyurethan foam. This is a lightweight material that helps reduce the possibility of further settling of concrete due to unstable soils. Also, because the foam adheres permanently to the concrete, it gives the slab extra strength.

Quick setting. The material also sets quickly, typically within minutes, which allows for immediate use of the repaired area.

Moisture resistance. Due to the material being hydrophobic, it is moisture-resistant as well. It makes repairs possible regardless of weather conditions.

Visually pleasing result. Concrete lifting requires smaller and fewer drill holes that are vital for achieving a cleaner, more visually pleasing finish while effectively decreasing the risk of future cracking. With that in mind, it is more suitable for driveways, patios, sidewalks, and commercial spaces as these locations are susceptible to heavy foot and vehicle traffic.

Concrete Lifting Cons

While concrete lifting with polyurethane foam has several advantages, it has a few disadvantages you should think about.

More expensive than mudjacking. A major factor you have to consider about concrete lifting is its higher price tag. This might be an issue if you’re working with a tight budget. The cost generally covers specialized equipment, trained technicians, and proper licensing.

Foam requires UV protection (i.e., additional cost). Polyurethane foam deteriorates quickly when exposed to UV rays. So, it needs to be protected from sunlight. You can do this by adding a UV-resistant coat – another additional cost to your concrete repair budget.

Limited or inaccessible providers. Because of the need for licenses, training, and specialized equipment, concrete lifting service providers might be limited in your location, especially if you’re living in rural or less populated areas. If this is the case, you might experience longer wait times for repairs or might find it hard to access such services in your area.

Table 1. Concrete Lifting Pros and Cons.

Mudjacking Pros and Cons

The process of mudjacking, or slab jacking, is similar to concrete lifting. However, the material used by the two methods are different. Concrete lifting uses polyurethane foam, while the mudjacking  slurry mixture contains soil, cement, sand, and water.

As the name suggests, slab jacking pumps this slurry mixture into the concrete. It fills the gaps between the concrete and the soil, which raises the slab back to its original elevation.

Benefits of Mudjacking

Mudjacking is another popular option to level sunken concrete that offers the following advantages.

More affordable than concrete lifting. A key benefit of this method is its cost-effectiveness, thanks to its use of cheaper materials. With rates that are usually less than concrete lifting, mudjacking’s lower price makes it more accessible to many homeowners and businesses. Moreover, it does not require expensive material replacements and allows for the reuse of existing concrete, so it saves you time and money.

Reliable and effective. For decades, homeowners have used mudjacking to elevate their sinking concrete. This is a testament to its effectiveness and reliability. The slurry mixture used in mudjacking serves as a stabilizer and fortification for these sunken surfaces, so it’s an excellent choice for slabs with significant settlement.

Disadvantages of Mudjacking

Although often effective, mudjacking has certain disadvantages.

Heavy slurry mixture.  With approximately 100 lbs of weight per cubic foot, the mudjacking slurry is heavy. Compared with the lightweight polyurethane foam used in concrete lifting, the slurry’s weight places additional stress on already unstable soils. This situation can potentially worsen the underlying problem. Thus, mudjacking is more suitable for smaller slabs where structural stress and weight are less of a concern.

Not visually appealing. Mudjacking requires larger drill holes of 1 and ⅝ inches and more of them. This necessary step increases the invasiveness of the process and the concrete becomes less aesthetically pleasing after repairs.

Longer curing time. Compared to just minutes of curing time for polyurethane foam in concrete lifting, the slurry mixture used in mudjacking takes roughly three days, on average, to completely dry and solidify.

Frequent repairs. Mudjacking also tends to have a shorter lifespan as it usually needs reapplication or maintenance within a few years. One reason for this is the fact that water and critter infiltration can wash away the mudjacking slurry, which can potentially lead to more settlement issues in the future.

Table 2. Mudjacking Pros and Cons.

Concrete Lifting Vs. Mudjacking: Which One is Right for You?

There’s no right or wrong concrete repair solution nor is there a “one size fits all” method to level sunken concrete. Your decision to use concrete lifting or mudjacking will ultimately depend on your budget, the extent of the damage, and the curing time required.

Just remember that aside from restoring the aesthetic appeal of your property, this is also an investment in its value and safety for years to come. Consult a professional to help your properly evaluate the issue and recommend the best course of action.