Mudjacking vs. Polyurethane

Home » Equipment » Polyurethane Concrete Raising vs. Traditional Mudjacking

Anyone working on a concrete repair or restoration project must understand their options for creating long-lasting and positive results. The concrete sector is subject to change regarding what materials and methods will leave your clients satisfied. Many contractors and entrepreneurs are transitioning to polyurethane foam-raising methods as opposed to more traditional mudjacking procedures.

If you’re on the fence about polyurethane foam vs. mudjacking methods, consider this your guide to selecting the right way to work for your applications.

Considerations for Polyurethane Foam and Mudjacking

Why would polyurethane concrete raising be used instead of traditional mudjacking?

HMI outlines some factors to consider when selecting an approach for your next business endeavor or service offering in the residential, commercial, industrial or government sector.

Play Video

LEARN HOW TO START A SUCCESSFUL
CONCRETE RAISING BUSINESS

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Services apply.

Upcoming Discovery & Training Seminars

April 10-11, 2025 Manitowoc, WI
May 15-16, 2025 Manitowoc, WI

In 2 days, we teach you everything you need to know to start your own concrete raising company!

How Much Does Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Equipment Cost?

Polyurethane concrete raising equipment can be an investment, as the gear necessary to finish projects differs from what you would use for mudjacking. You will need injection equipment, high-pressure pumps and a reactor designed to handle polyurethane foam. Poly foam for concrete leveling is often more expensive than mudjacking, but the versatility and strength properties of poly foam make it worthwhile in many cases.

It pays to use the more expensive polyurethane method when raising slabs that are poured over unstable or unsuitable fill. Polyurethane weighs 2-4 pounds per cubic foot compared to 100-150 pounds per cubic foot of traditional mud, making polyurethane material less likely to overburden unstable soil.

Polyurethane Foam and Mudjacking Strength

Is polyurethane strong enough to raise and support concrete slabs?

Traditional mudjacking does have an advantage over polyurethane when it comes to compressive strengths. A contractor can make the compressive strength of mudjacking material whatever is desired for a job by adding cement or combining cement with lime or sand, achieving compressive strengths of as much as 2,400 PSI.

Polyurethane’s compressive strength is consistently around 80 to 100 PSI. It is preferable to pump a higher compressive strength material than the existing sub-base.

It’s important to note that polyurethane has a tremendous advantage over mudjacking materials concerning its lightweight characteristics. While mudjacking materials offer higher compressive strengths, polyurethane foam allows you to work in areas where concrete surfaces and slabs may show significant damage and the maximum weight of treatment materials is a factor in how you can mitigate the issue.

Polyurethane Foam and Mudjacking Results

Does the finished job look better than traditional mudjacking?

A feature of polyurethane that will make the end results more attractive, especially to the residential market, is a smaller injection hole. Polyurethane utilizes a hole that is only 5/8” or smaller, compared to mudjacking holes that run between 1” and 2”. In some cases, you may find that polyurethane foam injections are nearly unnoticeable. You can maintain concrete and prevent unwanted sinking without altering the presentation of an indoor or outdoor space.

How Long Does Mudjacking Last Compared to Foam?

When the job is done correctly, mudjacking material can last multiple years. Polyurethane foam solutions are known for their longer life spans of 20 years or more. Note that the soil conditions at the installation site, as well as drainage efficiency, are critical to the longevity of both mudjacking materials and foam.

Property erosion can also impact the life span. However, polyurethane foam performs better in areas where soil may settle more than once.

Polyurethane Foam and Its Applications

The U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) prefers the use of polyurethane concrete lifting for eliminating dips in highways. The main reason is the material’s lightweight characteristic, which will not overburden the soil underneath structures and roadways.

Our experience tells us that conventional mudjacking will be around for a long time. The average consumer often looks for the most inexpensive way to fix settled concrete. However, polyurethane concrete lifting has its benefits and will be the solution to raising slabs when a lightweight material is needed.

Make the Right Decision for Your Project With HMI

HMI offers a selection of polyurethane foam concrete raising equipment and mudjacking gear. We help you start a new business endeavor and focus your skills with different training seminars. Learn something new to bid on projects you were unable to before, thanks to a team that has over five decades of experience in the concrete restoration world.

We support you throughout your training journey, get involved with engineering designs and help you decide the best way to move forward with a job should you need our assistance.

Learn More About Our Equipment, Materials and Training Seminars

Click on a topic to learn more, or give us a call at 1-888-793-9484! If you’re interested in the innovative techniques and equipment that make polyurethane concrete raising a superior choice, we invite you to dive deeper into our equipment. From trailer systems to vans, we help contractors improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their concrete raising services. These systems allow for quicker setup and more precise lifting, ensuring that concrete surfaces are stabilized safely and reliably.

Mudjacking vs. Polyurethane

Considerations for Polyurethane Foam and Mudjacking