"WOW! Groundworks is a great, reliable company! We had the dream team, Ryan, Alejando (Alex) and Jose, working on our home. Ryan kept us informed on what was going on the during the whole project. Ryan and Alex were so reassuring of all our fears and concerns, we knew we were in good hands. Alex and Jose were so polite and talk about hard working!! All three of them went above and beyond, exceeding our expectations, saving some landscaping we didn't expect to be saved. They took great care with our landscaping and yard and did not cause any unexpected damage to any of it! They did a great job with the clean-up at the end of the job as well. These three men worked great together as a team. We were happy to see them everyday and a little sad when we said good bye."
Concrete Mudjacking questions, answered by experts
Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.
Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.
The method involves lifting settled concrete using pressurized cement slurry via drilled holes. This solves uneven surfaces and prevents further settling.
Mudjacking typically takes 24 to 72 hours (one to three days) to dry and cure completely before you can resume normal use. The total drying time can vary depending on the size of the project. Because the slurry mixture contains cement, it needs to harden fully to prevent the concrete slab from shifting under added weight. You should avoid walking on the concrete or placing heavy items like furniture or vehicles on the surface until it has fully set. Your concrete contractor can provide a precise timeline. As a point of comparison, if you opt for polyjacking, the polyurethane foam can dry in minutes, but it's recommended to wait about an hour before use.
Polyjacking can be a permanent solution to sunken concrete if you also address the underlying issue—like poor drainage—at the same time. The polyurethane material itself can last as long as or even outlast the concrete you’re lifting it with. Your sunken concrete issue will likely return if you don’t couple polyjacking with proper drainage to prevent future soil movement and sinking.
Yes, you can mudjack cracked concrete, but the cracks will need to be repaired once the concrete has been leveled. If the concrete is severely cracked in multiple places, replacement may be a better option, but for less severe cracking, mudjacking is a good solution as long as cracks are correctly caulked and sealed.
The Crow Agency, MT homeowners’ guide to concrete mudjacking services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
DIY mudjacking is an advanced task, but learning how to raise a concrete slab is great to know for many scenarios. Let's take a look at how to DIY mudjack.
