Mudjacking is a slab lifting technique that pumps a cement-based slurry, often mixed with soil or sand, beneath a sunken concrete slab through small drilled holes, filling voids and lifting the slab back toward level as the material fills in beneath it.
It’s one of the older established methods for correcting settled sidewalks, driveways, and patio slabs, still widely used for its relatively low cost.
What Does Mudjacking Involve?
- Drilling small access holes through the settled slab
- Pumping cement-based slurry beneath the slab under pressure
- Gradually lifting the slab as the material fills voids
- Patching the drilled holes once lifting is complete
Why Is Mudjacking Important?
Mudjacking offers a relatively affordable way to correct sunken slabs without the cost of full slab replacement, making it a popular choice for sidewalks, driveways, and patios where tripping hazards or drainage issues have developed from uneven settling. The slurry mixture is considerably heavier than newer polyurethane alternatives, which means it applies more weight to the soil beneath, occasionally contributing to renewed settlement over time on already weak soil.
Because the drilled holes need patching after the slurry is injected, some cosmetic evidence of the repair typically remains visible on the slab surface, which is a tradeoff most homeowners find acceptable given the functional improvement. Because the process is relatively quick, most residential mudjacking projects can be completed within a single day, allowing the area to return to normal use once the slurry has set sufficiently. Its long track record also means most contractors have deep, practical experience with the method’s strengths and limitations.
Mudjacking vs. Polyjacking
Mudjacking uses a heavier cement-based slurry, while polyjacking uses lightweight expanding polyurethane foam. Polyjacking generally cures faster and adds less weight to the soil beneath, though it typically costs more than traditional mudjacking for a comparable repair.