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So you have sunken concrete and you heard someone mention the word “mudjack”. Actually, its a method used to lift concrete. So to mudjack concrete means to lift it. Mudjacking is not new. This technique used to lift and level sunken concrete slabs has been around for over 70 years. The mudjacking process works by pumping a slurry below a slab through holes at the surface. The hydraulic pressure from the mudjacking machine causes the slab to rise. Its called mudjacking since the material used to pump below the concrete looks like mud and somtimes it is mud.
Mudjacking will lift your sunken concrete and help extend the life of the slab. Being able to avoid a full replacement is never a bad idea as it could save you a great deal of money and time. However, this repair process is not without its problems. In Illinois, property owners should be aware of three main issues with mudjacking concrete before selecting a repair solution. The alternative, Polyurethane foam, has become the preferred method for lifting concrete due to its effectiveness and advantages over traditional methods.
The material used in mudjacking is not waterproof and not ideal for the Illinois climate. As water drains below the concrete and is exposed to freeze/thaw cycles, the sand, cement and soil material is susceptible to shrinking, erosion and breakdown. This material breakdown can cause the concrete to sink again if there is not proper drainage around the area and/or the cracks and joints were not sealed to prevent water from getting below the slab.
The material pumped below the concrete is going to be rock solid after 24 hours. That is a good thing however it’s also going to be extremely heavy and that’s not good. The weight of the original concrete over a poor base is usually what caused the slab to settle in the first place and by adding additional weight over the base you’re asking for additional settling to occur.
In order to pump the thick material below the slab, large holes need to be drilled. Along with being an eyesore, these large holes compromise the structural integrity of the concrete, which can cause cracking to occur.
As noted above, the sand/cement slurry materiel used in mudjacking is susceptible to shrinking and erosion. This can lead to the concrete slab to sink again. Illinois’ weather also plays apart in the lifespan of mudjacking. Snowy winters and rainy summers can speed up erosion.
In the 1980s state and federal transportation engineers started injecting high-density polyurethane below sunken roadways. This method was selected over traditional mudjacking due to polyurethanes light weight and durability. Also, polyurethane cures in only 15 minutes verses 24 hours with mudjacking – a critical benefit when dealing with busy roadways. For the next twenty years the polyurethane injection method was patented and installed by only one company, mostly on highways and large projects. In the early 2000s the polyurethane injection process patent expired. Now the material and process is available to all contractors to use. This has caused it to be economically feasible to use on residential projects such as driveway, walkways, garage floors and patios.
PolyLifting or Polyjacking is now the industries preferred method for raising and leveling sunken concrete due to its longevity, small injection holes and quick return to service. Compared to mudjacking, the use of polyurethane is considered a long-term repair option. We here at Concrete Hero have used polyurethane foam to raise everything from walkways, driveways, patios and garage floors in Illinois cities such as St Charles, Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Elgin and the surrounding areas. We also provide concrete lifting services in Naperville and surounding areas.
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