How Much Does Mudjacking Cost?
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Mudjacking generally costs between $500 and $1,300. This process, also known as concrete leveling, supports a cracked or sagging concrete foundation.
Foundations don’t last forever. Sometimes the dirt beneath it wasn’t correctly compacted when the house was built. Soil settling or erosion over time can lead to sagging foundations. This can lead to a number of as the concrete sinks into its space. Left untreated, sagging foundations can disrupt the house’s structural integrity and lead to incredibly expensive repairs.
Mudjacking avoids this outcome. A professional will drill holes in your foundation or basement, then pump an expanding, quick-hardening cement/soil solution into the gaps. This will lift up your foundation to its original level. They then fill the holes with cement, sealing the mix in place.
This is particularly useful when concrete has settled half an inch or more. Mudjacking works best when the concrete itself remains in good condition, but doesn’t remain level.
The biggest factor on the cost of a mudjacking job is the amount of materials needed. Cost per square foot for mudjacking near you is difficult to predict, because the price is determined by how much material needs to be pumped beneath the surface. This varies based on the extent of compaction. Many companies also charge a base equipment fee.
Why use mudjacking?
Slab jacking is much less invasive then replacing your concrete floor. Workers only need to drill a number of small holes in your foundation, which causes less impact to your home or landscaping. It takes much less time than removing and replacing an existing foundation. This is much more convenient for you, and drops the cost because you’re paying fewer hourly rates to employees.
The cost to level a concrete floor is usually much cheaper than replacing the floor outright. Slab jacking costs about a third of what you’d pay for removal. Mudjacking is an ideal option if you want to maintain the original weathered look of the floor.
Mudjacking works on more than just concrete foundations or basements. It’s an ideal solution if you have a stooping porch or slouching sidewalk.
Polyurethane foam foundation leveling
Another option is to use polyurethane foam to level the floor. This process injects a quick-drying foam underneath the foundation. Contractors drill into the slab and push the foam in at a high pressure. It then expands to lift the foundation. This work is also known as foam-jacking or polyleveling.
Foam jacking does tend to cost more than mudjacking, but it has several advantages. The material lasts longer than mudjacking, and the foam cures in as little as 30 minutes. This makes the concrete leveling process much quicker and less inconvenient for the homeowner. It also calls for smaller holes. Since the foam expands into nooks and crannies, workers need to drill fewer holes.
When not to use slab jacking
Sometimes, the settling is too severe for mudjacking to work. You can’t easily use it to raise a concrete slab that has cracked into several pieces, for instance. If expanding soil causes the concrete to rise, the process won’t work. Slab jacking areas beneath load bearing walls tends not to last as long, either. When mudjacking isn’t an effective solution, you’ll have to turn to using piers or replacing your concrete. A foundation repair professional can guide you through the most appropriate options.
How to hire mudjacking services
Because mudjacking is a specialized trade, take particular care when you search for a pro. When hiring a professional for concrete leveling work, make sure they carry the proper licensing, bonding and insurance for the job. Many municipalities or states license mudjacking, which is an equipment-intensive job. And if they don’t carry insurance, you might be on the hook for any damage they accidentally do to your home.
When you hire, also ask them if they can identify the underlying problem causing the settling. In many cases, simple soil compaction over time is the culprit. But sometimes, poorly planned landscaping or gutter spouts are the cause of the erosion. When you get work done to fix your foundation, make sure your pro takes whatever steps are possible to prevent it from recurring.