Houses and other structures built on floating concrete slabs can suffer structural damage over time if the slab sinks, causing the foundation to become damaged.
When this happens, the integrity of the entire structure is in jeopardy.
Mudjacking is a preferred method for correcting this problem in a faster, more cost-effective way than replacing the slab.
When conditions allow it, mudjacking repairs are a great solution for restoring the soundness of any concrete slab.
What Is Mudjacking?
Mudjacking, also known as concrete raising or leveling, is the process of raising concrete slabs that have begun to sink by injecting more concrete under them.
It is an efficient way to re-balance concrete slabs that have destabilized beneath the ground while maintaining the overall strength of the slab.
Because newer concrete is not as strong as the original slab in the ground, it is ideal to make mudjacking repairs to the damaged slab whenever possible rather than replace it.
Doing so is also a much less invasive and less costly approach.
Why Do Concrete Slabs Sink?
Free-floating concrete slabs under homes and buildings as well as those used for sidewalks, driveways, patios, and other structures can sink deeper into the ground if the soil beneath them settles.
Settling occurs when any air that was present in the soil when the slab was laid begins to escape, causing the soil to compress. It can also happen when the soil under the slab erodes.
With less of a support base beneath it, a slab can sink until the soil eventually packs down all the way or it once again reaches a solid base.
Concrete slabs that sink can cause serious structural damage to the foundation of the buildings built on them or create tripping hazards along walkways and other footings.
Mudjacking is one way these slabs can be lifted back up again and supported to level the slab and prevent structural damage.
How Is Mudjacking Done?
Making mudjacking repairs is relatively easy in comparison to actually removing an existing slab and replacing it with another one.
The process involves first identifying the reason why the slab is sinking and then resolving the issue.
This type of repair is not suitable for all situations, especially where there is a chance that more settling could occur.
The process begins by drilling a 2" hole in the slab in the area where it has sunk.
Once the hole is made, a semi-liquid concrete is pumped through the hole to fill the extra space under the slab and lift it.
This cement grout is added through multiple holes in the slab until the slab is raised back into its correct position.
Then the holes are sealed off using a shrink-proof cement.
Summing It All Up
Mudjacking repairs are a faster and less expensive option for leveling cement slabs that have sunk into the ground and separated from the structures they support.
Mudjacking costs one-fourth to one-half as much as replacing the slab using conventional methods.
It can also be done in hours as opposed to the days it takes to dig out and repour an entire slab.
For best results, all cement leveling projects should only be performed by a skilled professional!
