Mudjacking is the process of injecting stabilizing material underneath sunken concrete in order to raise it to its previous level. Homeowners, business owners, cities and towns all utilize concrete for surfaces like patios and parking lots. Shifting, broken concrete not only looks ugly, it can cause damage to vehicles and machinery or injury to people. It is vital to fix the issue as soon as possible, and mudjacking is the ideal way to do it.
Why Does Concrete Sink?
Problems with concrete begin even before it is poured. Construction sites often involve digging up soil to pour a foundation or a pool. Afterward, fill dirt is dumped in the empty spaces and concrete is poured on top to create a patio or a walkway.
Some builders are conscientious enough to spend the time and money to compact the fill dirt so it is solid and stable, fit for a concrete structure. Others don’t bother with this step, so pockets of air are left behind in the soil.
Over time, as the air dissipates, the supposedly stable ground on which the concrete was poured begins to shift and sink, which in turn causes the concrete to do the same. This can happen to any degree, but it is always more extreme when the fill dirt was not compacted before concrete construction began.
The Mudjacking Process
Mudjacking, also called slabjacking, is a repair tactic that gets to the root of the problem — filling those empty spaces beneath the concrete with something solid. But instead of approaching the issue like you may think, which would involve tearing up the existing concrete and starting over, mudjacking allows property owners to save money and time by skipping this step.
First, mudjacking specialists drill holes into the sunken concrete. They mix together cement, an aggregate such as sand, and water in order to make a paste. The team injects the grout beneath the sunken concrete using a hydraulic-powered grout pump. The slab slowly rises until it is level once again.
Once the slab is in its rightful place, the drill holes are filled with mortar, and any gaps between the slabs will be patched so the concrete is even and no evidence of the mudjacking process remains.
Materials Needed for the Project
If this project seems straightforward, you have the correct impression. Mudjacking is not a complex process, but it does require a high level of skill and a significant amount of experience in order to complete the project correctly. Professionals must have practiced knowledge on concrete mix types and know how the material will respond, depending on the specific circumstances.
Also, specialized equipment is required to complete the job, including a low-dust-emitting drill and bit designed for rock, a grout mixing machine and a hydraulic pump to inject the stabilizing material. Call Lift-Up Concrete today for a consultation and free estimate. Mudjacking is not a weekend project — it calls for the expertise of professionals.
