Mudjacking Guide

Mudjacking is a solution for addressing uneven foundations, sinking sidewalks and similar concrete environments. This solution is more cost-effective than replacing entire slabs, and the process is much quicker. This less-intensive method can benefit businesses and customers through higher efficiency and long-lasting results. Learn more about how to raise concrete with this method.

What Is Mudjacking?

Mudjacking, or slabjacking, is a method for raising concrete. This technique restores surface stability and offers an efficient and cost-effective means for addressing concrete issues without demanding a replacement. Mudjacking can offer long-lasting peace of mind to customers by enhancing structure integrity and reducing the likelihood of sinking reoccurring in the future. 

How Does Mudjacking Work?

The mudjacking process works by drilling small holes into concrete slabs and pumping a slurry into gaps. The slurry is often a combination of materials like cement, soil, sand, water or clay. As the mixture fills voids in the slab, it expands to raise the concrete back to its original position. Teams then patch the drilling holes after achieving the desired level, creating an even concrete environment with only small visible signs of repair. As the slurry mixture solidifies, it stabilizes the subsoil to reduce the likelihood of future sinking occurring.

Mudjacking Equipment 

Specialized equipment makes the mudjacking process easy to navigate. While exact equipment needs may vary depending on project scope and demand, you can expect to need these three essential pieces:

• Hammer drill: A quality drill is necessary to create the appropriate holes for your slurry mixture and equipment. These holes are typically 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter. Teams must strategically place these holes throughout the concrete slab to address underlying problems. 
• Mudjacking mixture: Your mudjacking mixture is crucial for project success. This slurry lifts the concrete and offers enhanced stability, so using the proper materials and volumes is crucial to creating a long-lasting solution. You can often find compounds at local retailers or make your own with water, sand, soil and Portland cement. Mixing equipment can ensure your slurry is properly combined while reducing manual labor requirements. 
• Hydraulic pump: Hydraulic mudjacking pumps enable you to administer your slurry under the concrete slab. This equipment is powerful and versatile, allowing you to complete many types of lifting applications. 

Benefits of Mudjacking Concrete

This method of lifting concrete has several advantages for businesses and customers:

• High efficiency: The mudjacking approach allows you to lift concrete quickly for a complete project in less time, with fewer workers and less equipment than concrete replacement. It also causes fewer disruptions to the surrounding environment, such as landscaping and plants. This faster, less disruptive technique can also be more attractive for homeowners in neighborhoods or businesses wanting to keep doors open to guests during your operations.
• Cost-effectiveness: Compared to concrete replacement, mudjacking can save tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the project. This technique does not require concrete removal or the addition of new cement, significantly lowering operational costs and allowing you to transfer savings to customers. 
• Fast turnarounds: Some concrete replacement projects can take weeks to complete. When you need to remove concrete and wait for mixes to cure, project timelines extend by days or weeks. Alternatively, you can complete mudjacking applications within hours. These quick turnarounds can increase customer satisfaction and reduce operational downtime. 
• Environmental friendliness: Another significant advantage of mudjacking is utilizing a more sustainable approach to concrete repairs. While replacements can result in used concrete moving to landfills, mudjacking allows you to make use of all existing structures. This technique extends material life and demands far fewer operational requirements.

Can You DIY Mudjacking?

Mudjacking is most effective when you have the proper skills, knowledge and equipment. If you want to add this option to your service offerings, consider a training course. With best practices in mind, you can follow these steps to complete mudjacking:

1. Assess the area: All projects should begin with an assessment. Consider the environment, the issues you’re facing and how to best handle the problem. Make a plan for drill hole placement and how much of your slurry mixture is necessary. Measuring the void depth in the slab can help determine these numbers.  
2. Drill holes in the concrete: Exercise care and drill holes in the proper locations to avoid cracking the concrete. 
3. Create your mixture: Create your DIY mudjacking mixture. Use mixing equipment to ensure equal material distribution. The final material should be thin enough to move through your hose and pump but thick enough to build pressure to lift the concrete. 
4. Fill voids: Add your mixture to your mudjacking pump. Place the hose into a drill hole and pump the mixture below the surface. Administer your slurry slowly, as you can always add more but should avoid over-lifting. When the concrete reaches the desired height, move to your remaining holes to repeat this process. 
5. Patch drill holes: Use a compound that matches the existing concrete color to patch the drill holes for a cohesive finish.
6. Offer clean up services: Remove any mud slurry from the top of the concrete and consider offering an additional service to caulk gaps, joints and cracks to help prevent water from infiltrating the concrete. Complete with power washing for an excellent finish.

Limitations of Mudjacking Concrete

Despite the advantages of mudjacking, there are some additional considerations to note. This method may be ineffective in situations such as:

• Spalling concrete surfaces.
• Expansive soil causes raised concrete.
• Slabs with swampy underlying soil.
• Concrete with a sinkhole below the slab.
• Unknown settling causes.

DIY Concrete Lifting: Mudjacking vs. Poly Foam

Another common method for lifting concrete is through polyurethane concrete raising. While both are innovative solutions for stabilizing and lifting sunken concrete, understanding when one application is more suitable than the other is beneficial. Here are the top elements to note:

• Cost: Mudjacking is generally more cost-effective than polyurethane concrete raising. Polyurethane raising equipment and materials are more expensive, while mudjacking materials are more readily available. 
• Effectiveness: Although more expensive, polyurethane concrete raising delivers long-lasting peace of mind. This method utilizes a moisture-resistant foam, making it more durable than mudjacking slurries. 
• Aesthetics: In many cases, polyurethane raising can produce more aesthetically pleasing results. The injection holes for this method are often smaller than mudjacking operations, resulting in a more visually appealing project. However, you can find pathing compounds that closely match concrete colors to enhance the aesthetics of mudjacking projects.
• Soil stability: While mudjacking can raise concrete surfaces, it doesn’t always stabilize the surrounding soil. Alternatively, polyurethane foam can enhance stability without increasing pressure, significantly reducing the likelihood of problems recurring in the future. 

Find Quality Mudjacking Equipment

HMI is your industry-leading concrete raising business partner. With more than 50 years of experience, skilled team members and innovative practices, we deliver quality products and peace of mind. Our concrete raising equipment ensures durability and precision during your applications, empowering you to complete projects effectively and efficiently. For help choosing the right equipment for your business or information about training, connect with our team.