Polyjacking Concrete Leveling or Mudjacking, Which is better for your property?
Which is the best concrete leveling method?
Uneven concrete slabs, sunken sidewalks, and settled patios are very common in the Houston, Texas area. To restore a leveled concrete surface, mudjacking and polyjacking are two common concrete leveling solutions for property owners looking for an alternative to costly replacement.
Does one method work better than the other? Let’s compare the two concrete leveling methods.
What is Mudjacking?
Mudjacking is pumping mud under a concrete slab, driveway, sidewalk, or patio to lift the sunken area. Holes are drilled in the existing concrete and a hydraulic pump pushes the mud to fill any gaps or voids underneath the concrete.
Mudjacking is an older method of concrete leveling and is subject to the integrity of the soil beneath the concrete slab. This means that the same factors, such as erosion & the compacting of soil, that lead to the sinking in the first place can again cause further sinking.
What is Polyjacking?
Polyjacking concrete leveling uses polyurethane foam instead of mud. As the foam expands and dries, any holes or voids in the concrete are filled and the concrete is lifted back to its original level.
We drill small holes in the existing slab to inject the polyurethane foam which then expands, compresses the soil, and raises the concrete. The polyurethane’s chemical reaction causes it to solidify once it has expanded to further stabilizes the surface under the concrete slab so that it won’t be susceptible to further sinking, fracturing or failure. Polyurethane doesn’t weather or wash away as “mud might.” This method proves longer-lasting, which is why we offer a 5-year warranty on our service.
Why Choose Polyjacking over Mudjacking?
Here are the major differences between these two concrete leveling options.
Aesthetics
With polyjacking, there are fewer and smaller holes required to accomplish the same results as mudjacking. The surface of your concrete slab retains a cleaner look and feel. Polyjacking also requires less equipment which provides a cleaner job site and reduces any damage to existing landscaping.
Curing Time
Polyjacking concrete leveling foam cures within minutes to allow the surface to be walked on or driven on much sooner. Mudjacking requires 24-72 hours to cure which is an inconvenience to homeowners and business owners when used in commercial settings.
Life Span
Mudjacking is more likely to be affected by the underlying soil. Erosion is a key cause of shifting underlying soil. As time goes on, mudjacking repairs are subject to the same elements that cause the shifting of the soil in the first place. There is no guarantee the soil will remain stable and that your concrete will remain level and smooth.
The chemical reaction of the polyurethane foam causes it to harden and be less likely to fail. This reaction stabilized the concrete and soil and will increase the lifespan of your concrete.
Weight
Settled, uneven, broken concrete is often caused by poor soil below the slab. The weak soil needs a lightweight repair material to reduce the continued loss of integrity. Mudjacking weighs around 100 pounds per cubic foot. Polyjacking weighs between two and four pounds, making it a lighter-weight solution.
Water and Moisture Resistance
The polyurethane foam used in polyjacking is hydrophobic allowing it to be used in underwater or wet conditions. The polyurethane foam creates a water-resistant moisture barrier providing better resistance to erosion.
As mentioned above, mudjacking is susceptible to shifting due to erosion.
Affordability
Mudjacking can be less expensive than polyjacking. However, there is no guarantee that the mudjacking process will not fail or need to be repeated. Polyjacking can last longer than the structure surrounding the concrete slab. Although polyjacking can be more expensive upfront, the long-term advantages make this option both a more permanent and a more cost-effective choice.
If you’re ready to level your driveway, sidewalk, patio, or pool surround, and eliminate the pesky trip hazards and speed bumps around your home, please give us a call at Leveled for a Free Quote.
If you are considering a concrete repair like grinding or a replacement like repouring your concrete slab, give us a call at 832-995-2000, and Leveled and we can schedule a free inspection to help walk you through your options.