Mudjacking and polyurethane injection are common concrete leveling repair techniques, but do they actually work?
Concrete lifting and leveling solutions are popular repair methods for sunken concrete slabs. If this is your first time dealing with a concrete issue like this, it may also be the first time you’ve heard of concrete lifting or leveling solutions and you may be skeptical about whether it really works.
Before we answer that, let’s take a look at two of the most common techniques for concrete lifting and leveling; Mudjacking and Polyurethane Injection. Both solutions work to fill voids in the soils beneath concrete slabs, but which one is best?
Mudjacking
Mudjacking is the process of lifting concrete slabs by injecting a mixture of mud, sand, cement, and similar materials beneath the slab. The mixture is injected through a series of small holes in the affected slab. The holes used for mudjacking are slightly larger than the holes used for polyurethane injection. The mudjacking solution fills the voids beneath the slab and compacts soils. Enough material is injected beneath the slab to lift it back to its appropriate grade and then the holes are patched.
It is a time tested and inexpensive solution to concrete repair, but it does have some negatives to consider. The material used in this process is very dense and can cause a new round of settlement to take place, creating a need for additional repair.
Polyurethane Injection (aka Foamjacking)
Polyurethane Injection, also known as foamjacking, is a very similar process to mudjacking. The difference is in the material. Instead of a mixture of mud, sand, and cement, Polyurethane Injection uses a polyurethane foam solution. Its light weight allows it to flow easily through injection sites and fill voids. The lightweight material also means that it will not create an additional round of settlement after the repair is complete. The polyurethane solution combines with loose soils beneath the concrete slab as it fills in voids, resulting in an even stronger product.
Foamjacking requires smaller injection holes as well, making for a more attractive finished product.
So Which Option is Best?
In short, both solutions are effective for concrete lifting and leveling repairs.
- Mudjacking is a time tested and effective solution to lift and level concrete slabs, and it can last for long periods. However, it is less reliable and will likely need to be replaced in the future, which means an additional expense down the road.
- Polyurethane Injection is a much more reliable and long-lasting solution to concrete leveling needs. In some cases, foamjacking is slightly more expensive than mudjacking solution, but more likely to save money down the road due to its long-term strength and stability.
