What is Mudjacking?
Slabjacking, foam jacking, mudjacking, Polylevel ™ sand jacking, what’s in a name?
Mudjacking is a process that hydraulically raises concrete slabs. Until fairly recently, it was the only method available other than replacement.
Holes ranging in size from 1 inch to 2 1/2 inches in diameter are drilled and a grout pump with an attached hose is used to pump a mud slurry under the slab floating it back to grade. Because it is less costly than replacement many accept its inherent problems:
- The big ugly holes are hard to conceal.
- The material, primarily dirt is often inconsistent.
- The process is fairly messy, (it is mud after all) and requires a hose for cleanup.
- The added weight of the material can further exacerbate settling by overburdening weak soils.
- The material does not flow well causing “pyramiding” under the slab.
Because of these and other limitations, new materials were needed and the technology to advance to allow the new materials to be utilized in the concrete raising industry. There has been some pushback by the Mudjacking lobby, but by and large Geo-polymer Slabjacking is gradually taking over the field, and for good reason.
Many of the objectionable issues with Mudjacking are eliminated or greatly reduced with Geo-polymer Slabjacking. The holes are much smaller, 5/8″ and fewer are needed. Cleanup is done with a broom. The material is very consistent and flows extremely well. The material can be used for numerous other problems such as void filling, stopping water leaks, under-sealing cracks, and more.
Mudjacking Process
The Mudjacking process is used to lift sunken concrete slabs in order to level them again. It involves drilling small holes into the existing concrete, then pumping pressurized grout or mud into the space beneath it. The mixture of grout, sand, and water is dense enough to fill up any voids below the slab and provides support for the weight of the slab on top.
The mudjacking process typically follows these steps:
First, an experienced contractor will inspect the area where the mudjacking needs to take place. This includes checking for pipes or other obstacles that may be hidden underneath and could get damaged from excavation. Once this inspection is complete, they’ll mark off where each hole needs to be drilled and begin drilling those holes. Each hole should be about one inch in diameter.
Next, the contractor will begin pumping the mudjacking mixture into each hole until it fills up the cavity below the slab. The grout is then allowed to set and harden to provide support for the weight of the slab on top. This process can take up to several hours, depending on how much material needs to be pumped in and how dense the mix is.
Once all of the holes have been filled, any excess grout that has spilled out around them will be cleaned up. Then, they’ll check to make sure that there are no gaps or weak spots in between or underneath where the concrete was lifted. If everything looks good, they’ll sweep off any remaining dirt and debris, and the concrete slab should be ready for use.
Geo-Polymer Slabjacking Process
Geo-polymer Slabjacking is a process used to elevate and level concrete slabs that have shifted due to soil conditions. The process involves injecting a mixture of geopolymer foam, portland cement, and sand into holes drilled through the slab. This foam mixture expands when injected, filling voids beneath the slab and lifting it to its original height.
The first step in geo-polymer slabjacking is to assess the condition of the concrete slab. During this assessment, any cracks or other damage are identified so they can be addressed prior to beginning the slabjacking process. After assessing the area of concern, workers will carefully drill small holes in strategic locations along the perimeter of the affected area and then begin to inject the geo-polymer foam. This mixture is injected at high pressure to ensure that it reaches all areas beneath the slab, expanding and filling voids as it goes.
Once the injection process is complete, workers will check for the evenness of the concrete slab, making sure that no anomalies exist in its elevation. If any adjustments need to be made, more geopolymer foam can be added in order to bring the entire surface up to an even level.
Finally, workers will patch or seal any holes created by drilling and clean up the debris left behind from the process. The entire geo-polymer slabjacking process can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the size and complexity of the area being worked on. After completion, the concrete slab should be stable and level for many years.
Overall, geo-polymer slabjacking is an effective way to address shifting or settling concrete slabs without the need to replace them entirely. The process requires minimal disruption, making it ideal for areas that require minimal downtime or intrusion. With careful attention given during each step of the process, geo-polymer slabjacking is an efficient solution for restoring areas of concern in any environment.
Geo-Polymer or Mudjacking?
After investigating both methods thoroughly in 2010, we chose the Geo-polymer method. The equipment was more expensive, the material is more expensive and the training needed is more demanding. So why spend more money and time training? Simply put the process’s advantages sell them-self to our clients. You can read more about the differences between Mudjacking and Geo-polymer Slabjacking.
If you are concerned about the final appearance, Geo-polymer Slabjacking is superior to Mudjacking. In fact on every problem noted above with Mudjacking, Geo-polymer Slabjacking has the advantage.
There is only one area where Mudjacking still has an advantage; the cost of materials. Much of this advantage disappears due to the technology of polymer Slabjacking which results in being able to do twice as many jobs in a day as Mudjacking.
Why Choose Slabjack Geotechnical?
In the markets we serve, you will find our prices to be extremely competitive. We recently did a job for one of the small municipalities in Eastern Washington. We were able to complete the job just as well if not better than another Mudjacker in the area. Our team at Slabjack won the contract and completed the work as outlined.
If you’re considering mudjacking as a repair option for your sunken surface, make sure you hire a qualified contractor that has experience with the process. They will be able to assess the condition of your structure and determine whether this process is right for you. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns so that you understand the full scope of the job before committing to any repairs.
With all the advantages we offer with our state-of-the-art Geo-polymer Slabjacking why choose yesterday’s inferior method? Call us today at 1-855-752-2522 for a no-cost no-pressure estimate.
Superior technology, Superior polymers, Superior results.