As patios, walkways, driveways, and concrete steps sink, they can crack and create uneven surfaces. Sinking concrete is unsightly, and it can create a tripping hazard. Traditionally, this problem is often repaired by a process called mudjacking, a repair technique for lifting concrete slabs that have settled over time with a mortar-based mix. Mudjacking is also known as:
Mudjacking involves pumping a mortar-based mixture of "mud" or "slurry" underneath a settling slab. This injected material is a mixture of water, soil, sand and Portland cement that cures to become a solid, stable fill.
As the mixture is pumped underneath the concrete slab, it fills all empty spaces and creates pressure on the slab that lifts the surface upwards. Once injected, the slurry will then harden into a solid fill that's more stable than the soil, yet lighter than concrete.
Master Services offers a faster, more effective, and less invasive approach to concrete leveling than mudjacking with polyurethane. Our polyurethane system involves injecting an expanding polymer foam under the concrete for a durable, long-lasting solution. If you're interested in learning about why polyurethane is more sustainable and eco-friendly than mudjacking, call us for a free estimate in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and nearby.
These concrete steps have suffered from severe settling over time and have separated from the foundation structure.
Mudjacking is effective for heavier concrete structures when used in conjunction with slab piers. It should not be considered as a standalone solution to lifting a footing or floor slab that has settled in your home.
In most cases, mudjacking alone will not be able to lift both a slab and the heavy partition walls that sit on top of it. In cases where mudjacking isn't effective, we often recommend installing slab piers instead. If mudjacking does lift the concrete slab, it may be difficult to control where mudjacking lifts the walls, causing them to lift unevenly.
More importantly, mudjacking concrete repair solution is temporary. Even with the voids filled, the soil below is likely to continue settling over time. Ultimately, you'd have to call your contractor to your home over and over again to repeat the mudjacking process — or call someone who can use a different solution that can fix it once and for all!
Mudjacking is also not appropriate as a "do-it-yourself" repair. Mudjacking requires special equipment and professional experience. All work should be done through a trained, professional mudjacking contractor who has excellent knowledge of local soil conditions.
Overall, we at Master Services chose to use polyurethane for all our concrete leveling as it is more cost-effective, eco-friendly, and offers long-lasting support that will help prevent even further concrete settlement.
Master Services is East Tennessee's trusted concrete leveling contractor. Schedule an estimate in Kingsport, Cleveland, Hixson, Dalton, GA, Powell, Ooltewah, Cookeville, or nearby to learn more about why polyurethane is our top choice for repairing sunken driveways, sidewalks, and more!
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