Mudjacking vs. Polyjacking
Which is the Best for Concrete Lifting
For years, mudjacking was the go-to method for concrete lifting applications. Despite some drawbacks, it was a generally effective method to lift sunken concrete slabs.
Now, however, a second contender has come along: polyurethane foam concrete lifting, or polyjacking. Which is better for concrete lifting? Let’s compare:
Materials
Mudjacking
Mudjacking uses a thick slurry of water, soil, sand, and Portland cement. It is effective in lifting, but it is also very heavy (more than 25x the weight of polyjacking foam), which can be a problem in unstable soils. It can also erode or break down over time.
Polyjacking
Polyjacking uses a two-part expanding polyurethane foam, which expands beneath the concrete slab. This hydraulically lifts the slab. The foam is light but strong enough to support the concrete, and won’t break down underground.
Injection Hole Sizes
Mudjacking
Because of the material used in mudjacking, the injection point might be up to 2 inches in diameter. This makes patching efforts more noticeable.
Polyjacking
Because the foam does not start expanding until after injection, the injection holes must only be roughly the size of a dime, making them easier to patch and less likely to further damage cracked concrete.
Durability and Longevity
Mudjacking
The mudjacking slurry is prone to washing out over time and also can shrink as it dries. It isn’t uncommon for mudjacking to have to be redone eventually.
Polyjacking
The polyjacking foam resists breaking down in the presence of water and any chemicals found underground. It also doesn’t shrink, making it the better long-term option.
Precision and Control
Mudjacking
Lifting with mudjacking is more gradual, but also harder to fine tune given the nature and weight of the materials used.
Polyjacking
While the expanding nature might make it tricky for DIYers, professionals can control the expansion of the foam with a high degree of precision. It can be the more accurate option.
Curing Time
Mudjacking
Like anything that involves concrete, mudjacking takes some time to set up before you can use the slab. This time varies from 24-48 hours.
Polyjacking
Polyurethane foam has a very fast curing time, in the 15-30 minute range. In many cases by the time the contractor has the area cleaned off and the equipment packed up, the slab will be ready to use.
We Believe Polyjacking is the Way to Go
Newer isn’t always better, but in this case, the pros for polyjacking outweigh any drawbacks. That is why we have chosen to use polyjacking for our concrete lifting business. If you are interested in having a sunken concrete slab leveled, contact us today.