Mudjacking vs. Poly Leveling

If you’re on the market for concrete leveling, you may have heard the term “mud jacking” to refer to the process of raising and leveling concrete. “Mud jacking” is a term often used interchangeably with “concrete leveling” or “poly leveling” but these terms don’t all mean the same thing.

Sunken, uneven, and broken concrete slabs are common in areas like greater Vancouver where changing weather and lots of precipitation cause soil movement and expansion. The pressure exerted by soil that has expanded with groundwater can be enough to break and move concrete. Then, during dryer seasons, that soil contracts, leaving a void between itself and the concrete. This void can also cause concrete to move, shift, crack, and become uneven.

Poly leveling and mud jacking are two methods for repairing concrete that has sunken, broken, settled, or moved. While the process for both poly leveling and mud jacking looks similar, there are a number of differences between the two.

First, let’s understand the concrete leveling process, then we will talk more about these differences.

The Concrete Leveling Process

Both poly leveling and mud jacking are processes by which concrete is leveled, they just use different materials to do so. The process of mud jacking actually looks very similar to the process of poly leveling. Both follow roughly this format:

Holes are drilled in the broken, sunken, or uneven concrete all the way through so the technicians can gain access to the soil and void underneath.
The fill material, either polyurethane foam (poly leveling or poly jacking) or concrete slurry (mud jacking), is inserted into the holes to fill the void.
The foam or slurry is slowly pumped through to raise the concrete until it is level with surrounding surfaces.
The pump is removed, the holes are refilled with concrete, and the area is cleared of debris.

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Understand the Differences Between Poly and Mudjacking

Difference #1: Poly Foam vs. Concrete Slurry

Poly jacking uses a polyurethane foam to fill the void under a slab of concrete and bring it up to level. Polyurethane foam is a super durable and super strong material that begins as a soft foam but hardens (or cures) to a solid mass. The hardening process is actually a chemical reaction between the polyurethane and the surrounding soil, so the presence of the soil helps the poly foam stay solid. Poly foam is permanent and stable, meaning it will not erode, warp, crack, or bend as pressure is put on it over time.

Mudjacking uses a concrete slurry mixture (meaning concrete mixed with water) to fill voids beneath concrete slabs. Like the concrete it supports, concrete slurry begins as a loose, partially liquid material and hardens solid as it dries/cures. Concrete slurry is very strong, but prone to erosion over time as it interacts with groundwater, soil, and debris. It can also crack, sink, and settle as pressure is put on the concrete above it.

Difference #2: Curing & Drying Times

Due to its unique chemical makeup, polyurethane foam hardens and cures quickly. The foam usually solidifies in under an hour, and cures completely within 24 hours. For best results, we recommend not using the poly leveled surface for at least 24 hours. After that, you’re good to go.

The concrete slurry used in mudjacking takes longer to dry and cure and depends on how much is used in a particular area. Concrete slurry usually takes about 24 hours to dry, then 4-5 days to cure completely. Again, an area with a larger volume of slurry will take longer.

Difference #3: Repair Longevity

In most cases, a concrete repair using polyurethane foam is permanent, while a mudjacking repair will need to be performed again down the road. The main reason for this is how the material interacts with the soil around it. Polyurethane foam is lightweight — about 4 pounds per cubic foot, so it doesn’t put any added pressure that moves the soil. Poly foam also reacts with chemicals in the soil to harden, so the two actually work together to keep concrete level.

Concrete slurry is extremely heavy, about 150 pounds per cubic foot. This weight is added to the mass of the concrete it supports to put pressure on surrounding soil. Over time, this will cause soil movement and erosion, leading to further concrete problems.

Difference #4: Holes

Polyurethane requires much smaller holes, and fewer holes, compared with mudjacking. This means that when you go with poly your concrete looks nicer and is less likely to crack compared with traditional mudjacking.

Difference #5: Cost

Polyurethane foam is more expensive than the concrete slurry used in mudjacking. However, because a poly leveling repair is permanent, you will actually spend less money over time going with a poly fill rather than a mudjacking repair, which will have to be repeated at a later date.

At Quantum Concrete Leveling, we offer poly leveling and concrete raising services for both residential and commercial customers. To learn more about our process and how we can help you, contact us today.

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