Slab lifting, compared
Mudjacking vs Foam Leveling: Which Lifts a Sunken Slab Better
Both fill the void under a sunken slab and lift it back up. Mudjacking costs less; foam needs smaller holes, adds less weight and is ready to use sooner.
Free, no-obligation estimates. We look at the slab and tell you which lift suits it.
- 1 5/8 inMudjacking hole
- 5/8 inFoam hole
- 48 hoursMudjacking cure, at most
Slurry or foam
How mudjacking and foam leveling differ
Mudjacking pumps cement slurry under a sunken slab to raise it, while foam leveling injects polyurethane foam that expands and packs the loose soil underneath.
Both start with holes drilled through the slab over the empty space, and the material goes in under pressure until the slab rides back up. The slurry can be cement or limestone grout, while foam is put in with specialized hydraulic equipment run by trained installers.
Known in the trade as "slabjacking"; most people just say concrete lifting.
The trade's word is "polyjacking", the lift for heavily loaded slabs.
The Concrete Network: Concrete Repair guide covers the leveling products and how damage is judged before a lift.
What goes under the slab
Hole size and added weight
Mudjacking needs holes about 1 5/8 inch wide and leaves heavy slurry on the soil, while foam goes in through holes about 5/8 inch and adds little weight.
Mudjacking
- The holes
- About 1 5/8 inch across, wide enough for the slurry hose
- The weight
- Heavy cement slurry that adds load to the soil it sits on
- Over time
- The slurry can break down under the slab
Smaller holes, lighter load
Foam leveling
- The holes
- About 5/8 inch, roughly the size of a dime
- The weight
- Lightweight foam that adds little load to the soil
- Over time
- More durable, and it does not leach away
Cure time after lifting
Foam leveling is usually done in one day and the slab is ready to use right away, while a mudjacked area stays out of use for up to 48 hours as the slurry cures.
If the slab is the only way to the front door, or the car has to park on it, that wait is worth planning around.
Straight talk on cost
Price of each method
Mudjacking is the cheaper lift and is priced by the square foot, while foam leveling the same patio or porch costs a good deal more.
The gap comes from the material and the people. Foam costs more than cement slurry, and it takes trained crews and special equipment to put it in.
We price your slab after we have seen it, and we quote the whole job before we start, with no surprise charges after.
Free, no-obligation estimates. The exact figure comes from seeing the slab.
A sensible match for everyday walks, patios, driveways and steps, where keeping the bill down counts most.
Earns its keep on heavily loaded slabs, garage floors and basements, where a light, durable fill counts most.
Match the method to the slab
Which slabs suit each method
Mudjacking suits everyday slabs, patios, driveways, walkways and steps, while foam suits heavily loaded foundations, garage floors and basements.
Mudjacking
Mudjacking is the usual fit for these:
- Slabs
- Patios
- Driveways
- Walkways
- Steps
Foam leveling
Foam leveling is the usual fit for these:
- Heavily loaded foundations
- Garage floors
- Basements
Not sure which side your slab is on? We tell you on the free estimate.
Before anything gets lifted
Before you lift a slab
A slab has to be in good condition to be lifted, and getting the amount of material right matters as much as picking the method.
Lifting works on concrete that is sound but sunken. A slab broken up by too many cracks may need replacing instead, and no amount of slurry or foam changes that.
The amount matters just as much: too much leveling foam makes the problem worse, and too little does not fix it. That is why we look at the slab and what is under it before we say which lift it needs.
Concrete leveling for a sunken slab
Trained crews drill the slab, inject material to fill the void and lift it, then patch the holes.
Foam leveling equipment is generally available only to trained, certified installers, so this is not a weekend rental job. When we lift a walk, patio or driveway, we patch the holes before we leave.
Google reviews
Neighbors on working with us
These are our own Google reviews, shown exactly as they were written.
I hired this concrete contractor for my driveway replacement and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The team was professional, showed up on time, and worked efficiently to get everything done ahead of schedule. The finish is smooth, durable, and really improved the curb appeal of my home. I would definitely recommend them for any concrete work.
Nick, and coworker did a outstanding job. Working on our front yard. My neighbor was so impressed he’s planning on hiring Nick, to do their front yard. Thanks, Nick
Trustworthy, dependable, and quality service. Greenscape Projects transformed my backyard space into a beautiful oasis. Budget friendly prices. Affordable landscaping made possible with greenscape Projects. They arrived on time, cleaned up afterwards and sent pictures of the progress. Trust Greenscape Projects for all of your landscaping, gardening, yardscaping needs.
Not sure which lift your slab needs? We will come and look.
Call and tell us what the slab is doing. We check whether it is sound enough to lift, tell you which method suits it, and quote the whole job before any work starts.
We show up when we say we will, and we clean up when the work is done.
Open Monday through Saturday. We answer the phone or call back the same working day.