The Difference Between Two Techniques Used To Raise Sunken Concrete
Do you have a sidewalk, driveway, or garage floor that is developing cracks due to it sinking? If so, you are going to have to bring in a professional to fix it. There are two techniques that can be used to raise concrete: mudjacking and slabjacking. Here is what you need to know about the differences between these two techniques that can help level that sunken concrete.
Slabjacking
Slabjacking involves injecting material beneath the concrete slab. The holes that are made in the concrete to do this are very small—they are about the size of a pinky finger. The holes don't need to be very big, which may be a preference for you as a homeowner that does not want the concrete to appear visibly damaged after the concrete is leveled.
The material used to lift the concrete with slabjacking is going to be a high-density foam, which will set very quickly. It's not the type of foam used for insulation in your home, since it is thick and stable in comparison. The reason that foam is used is that it will resist moisture from the ground, and it will be able to support the weight from above very easily. Slabjacking is not just used in residential situations, but for commercial use as well.
Slabjacking foam is lightweight, with its main advantage being that it is not going to add to the weight of the material resting on the soil. If the soil beneath the concrete is stable, the foam can be a permanent solution to sinking concrete.
Mudjacking
The holes required for mudjacking are going to be bigger than the ones for slabjacking—they are about the size of a half-dollar coin. Once the mortar is placed in the hole at the end of the job to repair it, you will have more noticeable holes in your concrete.
Mudjacking uses a variety of different materials to lift up the slab of concrete. This is done by creating a slurry with a mix of limestone, sand, concrete, and water. The issue with this material is that it can take several days for the material to cure, while the foam used for slabjacking will cure very fast.
The reason for using mudjacking is that the material is less likely to sink if there is erosion in the soil underneath the sunken concrete. The material used for mudjacking is very similar to concrete and will perform similarly.
Need more information on which technique is best for your home? Reach out to a concrete leveling professional to look at the problem and make a recommendation.