Mudjacking sounds like an exotic crime where people steal high-end mud, but in fact, it's a real concrete raising process that has a number of applications. If you're worried about keeping a surface level or fixing one that has already developed a bad slope, it may represent one of the better available options for addressing the situation. Here are four things customers will want to know before they have a contractor start a project.

What Is Mudjacking?

The idea behind the process is to inject pressurized mud into spaces where something has caused slabs or floors to settle. Property owners typically go this direction when they're dealing with surfaces that are still in good physical condition with the exception that the concrete has become tilted. It can be used for a slew of different tasks, including straightening out basement floors, foundations, steps, and sidewalks.

In most cases, a small hole will be drilled to access the area under the slab. Sometimes it is necessary to drill directly through the concrete. A contractor will then inject mud into the empty space. Not only will this fill the gap, but the increased pressure and density of the mud should encourage the slab of concrete to move upward, ultimately leveling out.

Is Your Location Ideal for It?

Cracking and crumbling concrete cannot be treated with an injection process. The pressure of the injection will cause the already compromised materials to break down even more. There are situations where the level of damage is sufficient that breaking up the concrete and starting fresh is the best option.

Some locations also don't have soil that's ideal. Loose materials can get blasted out of place and may end up require significantly more injection to replace. If you're unsure, a technician familiar with concrete raising can assess your situation and give you a sense of how likely a project is to succeed.

Can You Tackle This as a DIY Effort?

The biggest concern with using a jacking project on your own is dealing with pressurized mud. As is the case with many types of slurries, it takes experience to know how it'll behave and to understand how it should be injected. Even folks who have high confidence in their engineering skills frequently turn to professionals to perform mudjacking.

Costs

The average job ranges in price from $548 to $1327. Work on foundations may end up costing about twice that.