What Exactly Is Mud Jacking?

Mud Jacking is a technique used to elevate sinking concrete slabs by injecting "Mud," a mortar-based slurry combination, under the slab. The slurry, or "mud," is poured into the void beneath the slab via 2-inch-diameter holes bored at 6-foot-intervals. The injection of "mud" generates sufficient pressure to reposition the slab. After the void has been filled and the slab has been replaced, the holes are fixed. The slurry then hardens over time to form a sturdy and secure base for the slab.

Mud Jacking is so-named because a mortar-based slurry combination called "Mud" is used to "Jack" up a sinking concrete slab. Mud Jacking is similar to jacking up a car, only instead of a jack to create pressure, "Mud" is injected. This can be used in your decks, too!

The most frequent causes of concrete slab settling, sinking, and cracking are poorly compacted subgrade and soil erosion. Before pouring a concrete slab, the area is dug. Then, a gravel base is poured, which provides stability and drainage for the slab. Before concrete is poured, the earth and gravel must be thoroughly compacted. In the absence of appropriate compaction, the soil or gravel will eventually settle, creating a gap beneath the slab.

A void is an area of unsupported concrete that permits the slab to sink and/or crack.

Soil erosion is another reason why voids can form beneath a slab. If water removes soil or gravel from beneath the slab, a void is created. Voids are unsupported areas of concrete that are susceptible to settling and/or cracking, similar to settling.

Fortunately, Mud Jacking can restore a sinking concrete slab by giving it a solid, long-lasting foundation.

How Is Mud jacking Executed?

Every 6 feet, 2-inch holes are drilled into a sinking concrete slab using hydraulic mud jacking. The holes are then hydraulically filled with slurry to fill the voids beneath the slab.

The strong pressure restores the slab to its original place by lifting and leveling it. The subsequent curing of the slurry gives a firm base for the slab.

The injection holes are filled with color-matched, non-shrink grout, mortar, or fresh concrete after the slab is in place. In most cases, however, the contour of the holes remains visible after repairs have been done.

Mud jacking can be utilized with strong pressure to raise slabs in good condition or low pressure to lift fragile or fractured concrete.

In most circumstances, Mud Jacking is quite effective and yields benefits that last up to a decade when performed correctly.

Depending on the size of the task, the procedure is quite quick. The majority of tasks can be performed within a few hours. Once the slurry has fully cured, the slab can support substantial weight.

What Is Mud jacking Also Known As?

There are several construction terminologies used to describe Mud jacking. But the method is the same regardless of the phrase used. Drilling holes through a concrete slab and then pumping material underneath it to elevate it back into position. To construct a stable foundation at the desired height, the material remains beneath the slab.