Concrete Leveling & Mudjacking in Fort Wayne, IN

Why Concrete Slabs Sink

Slabs next to a house are often poured over fill that was placed when the foundation was backfilled. That fill keeps settling for years. Water from downspouts, gaps along the house and poor drainage can also wash soil out from under a slab, and freeze and thaw cycles loosen it further. The slab loses support and drops or tilts.

A slab that tilts toward the foundation is more than a cosmetic problem: it sends rain straight to the basement wall and can feed leaks and wall pressure.

Mudjacking

Mudjacking, also called slabjacking, pumps a cement-based slurry under the slab through holes drilled in the concrete. As the space underneath fills, the slab rises. The holes are then patched. It is a proven, lower-cost method, best suited to larger slabs such as driveways and patios.

Polyurethane Foam Concrete Leveling

Foam leveling, sometimes called polyjacking, injects a two-part polyurethane foam that expands under the slab and lifts it. The holes are smaller, the material is much lighter, and the slab is often usable the same day. It usually costs more per slab than mudjacking.

What Can Be Leveled

• Driveways and garage aprons
• Sidewalks and front walks
• Patios and pool decks
• Front steps and stoops
• Garage floors and some interior slabs

Leveling is not the right choice for concrete that is broken into many small pieces, crumbling at the surface, or pushed up by tree roots. A sinking slab inside the house, or one that is part of the foundation, is a different problem: see foundation piering and house leveling.

Keep It From Sinking Again

Fix the water that caused the problem: extend downspouts away from the slab, correct the grading, and seal the joint between the slab and the house with a flexible sealant. See typical prices for mudjacking and foam leveling in our guide to foundation repair cost in Fort Wayne.

More Questions About Concrete Leveling & Mudjacking

Mudjacking or foam leveling: what is the difference?

Mudjacking pumps a cement-based slurry under the slab through holes about the size of a coin or larger. Foam leveling, also called polyjacking, injects expanding polyurethane through smaller holes. Foam is lighter and cures faster. Mudjacking usually costs less. Both lift the slab back up when the concrete itself is still in decent shape.

How soon can I drive or walk on the concrete?

Foam-lifted slabs are often usable the same day. Mudjacked slabs usually need a little longer for the slurry to firm up. Your contractor will tell you how long to wait before parking on a driveway.

When is replacing the slab better than lifting it?

When the concrete is broken into many pieces, crumbling at the surface or heaved by tree roots, lifting will not give a good result. Leveling works best on slabs that sank in one or a few large pieces.

Why does my slab keep sinking?

The usual causes are fill soil that was not compacted when the house was built, and water washing soil out from under the slab, often from a downspout or a gap along the house. Fix the water source and seal the joint next to the foundation, or the slab may settle again.

Can a sunken slab cause basement leaks?

Yes. A patio, walk or driveway that tilts toward the house sends rain straight to the foundation wall. Lifting it so water runs away from the house is one of the simplest ways to reduce basement water.