All about Mud Jacking
Simply put, mud jacking is a service that raises existing concrete that has settled and becomes uneven with the slabs around it
Property owners with exterior concrete that is sinking, such as a walkway, driveway, or even a patio, might be wondering whether it’s possible to raise the concrete to make your slab level again. After all, making the foundation level will not only help eliminate an eyesore, but it will make the property safer. Settled concrete is a significant trip and fall risk and an annoyance.
Fortunately, there are solutions available, specifically “mud jacking.” This blog explains how it works and how long it can last.
What is mud jacking?
Simply put, mud jacking is a service that raises existing concrete that has settled and becomes uneven with the slabs around it. Mud jacking is also called concrete leveling and is a way to maintain a property’s concrete structures.
What makes mud jacking an optimal choice as a concrete floor leveler is that it’s simple. Instead of completely tearing up a concrete walkway, patio, or driveway, mudjacking works by drilling holes into the concrete. Those holes are then injected with a limestone/portland concrete mixture using a high-pressure pump that forces the concrete slab up from where it has settled. By raising it, the slabs will be leveled again. The process also fills in the space while re-pressurizing the soil.
Concrete leveling costs
Mud jacking concrete leveling is an alternative to tearing up concrete and replacing it. Since having concrete torn up is a laborious process, it’s a costly endeavor. Plus, it’s a headache no one wants. It means having heavy equipment dragged onto the property, making lots of noise and mess. But all of that can be avoided by using mud jacking instead.
And it’s far less expensive. This conservative approach is typically around 25 percent of the cost of tearing up and re-pouring new concrete.
How long mud jacking lasts
The last thing a property owner wants is to have their concrete leveled, only to end up needing this service again. Although concrete leveling won’t last forever, it should at least buy the property owner time. Mud jacking on a newer property, where the concrete has had less time to settle, may last around 5 to 7 years. However, on an older property, where more settling has occurred, it could last up to 10 years.
Much of it depends on the cause of the sinking. If all underlying concerns are addressed with the existing concrete, it’s possible for mudjacking to last even longer than a decade. Regardless, if not addressed, the concrete will only continue to sink, potentially to the point where it’s beyond repair, and the only option is replacement. Severely sunk concrete may begin to form significant and numerous cracks.
How to know if mud jacking is the answer
Mud jacking is a solution that works for most properties that have existing concrete that is sinking. Property owners wondering whether concrete leveling is the right solution should contact several reputable companies for estimates.
The contractors will perform a thorough inspection of the concrete and provide the best advice to address the problems. Most homeowners find mud jacking an affordable and minimally invasive solution that produces speedy results.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
