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Mudjacking can be an expensive foundation repair process, but in many cases, it’s well worth the investment. This is especially true if you’re lifting a portion of sunken foundation slab back into place. In that case, mudjacking can help avoid major structural damage and even home collapse by restoring the integrity of your structure with minimally invasive procedures. Mudjacking a concrete patio, walkway, or sidewalk can be worthwhile because it removes tripping hazards and makes your outdoor area more aesthetically appealing.

Polyjacking and mudjacking can both be effective solutions for sinking concrete, but they have key differences. Polyjacking, which uses expanding polyurethane foam, is often considered a better option because the foam is significantly lighter than the cementitious material used for mudjacking. This reduced weight puts less pressure on the underlying soil and lowers the risk of future sinking. Polyjacking is suitable for any sinking concrete slab, while mudjacking is typically only recommended for non-structural concrete, such as sidewalks, patios, pool decks, and driveways. The primary drawback of polyjacking is its cost, which can be up to four times higher than mudjacking—as much as $25 per square foot compared to a maximum of about $6 per square foot for mudjacking.

There is no real alternative to underpinning, although mudjacking and polyjacking are other repair methods that can add support from underneath your foundation. Rather than placing supportive piers under your structure, these involve pumping a material under your slab to lift a sunken section back into its original position. Polyjacking, in particular, is sometimes a suitable solution for stabilization issues under slab foundations, but underpinning is often accepted as the best and most permanent solution.

Most states and municipalities don’t require concrete mudjacking companies to carry a specific license, but they usually need to have a general contractor’s license, and they should be fully insured. The only exception is if the mudjacking company provides foundation repairs as well, or if it offers mudjacking for home foundations. In that case, they will typically need a foundation repair contractor’s license. You can check state requirements and then use Angi’s license lookup tool to confirm that a company is properly licensed to provide mudjacking services in your area.