Granite Foundation Repair Describes the Problems with Mudjacking a Concrete Slab Foundation

Mudjacking concrete slab foundations can be a huge money saver, or an unexpected expense. There is no doubt that mudjacking can be used  to lift a concrete slab foundation.  The process entails pumping a slurry of portland cement and soil under high pressure through holes drilled into a concrete slab.

In many cases, mudjacking is the least expensive method of foundation repair, and the most expensive method of foundation repair. Rather than lift the structure with underpinning, the slurry is pumped through holes drilled in the slab and spaced 3 to 6 feet apart.

As its name implies, mudjacking can be used to “jack up” or lift a sagging foundation.

Four reasons why you don’t want to have your house mudjacked.

1. As a void fill process after foundation lifting, it can lead to serious foundation problems in clay soill regions of Texas. When a void is filled between a lifted slab and the ground, better watch out.  Should the clay soil moisture increase due to a plumbing leak or heavy rain, the ground will swell. Pushing upward on the void fill material gets translated into pushing upward on the slab, causing the slab to heave.
2. When lifting a house, if the mudjacking technician loses attention for a minute, the house can be over lifted.  There is no economical way to remove the excess cement/soil slurry mixture.
3. A mud jacking slurry can find its way into a weak septic line.  In one instance, the slurry went all the way to the main sewer line in the street.  That became a $16000 problem with city.
4. Plumbing is seldom cemented into the slab. The voids around a water pipe can allow the mud jacking slurry to enter the wall, rising until the sheetrock blows out.   It has also been know to raise bath tubs and shower pans.

The bottom line is that Granite Foundation Repair will never recommend mudjacking. It is far to easy to cause extensive house damage when using mudjacking to void fill or lift a house.

There are several valid purposes for mudjacking including:  lifting patio additions, lifting driveways, and lifting sidewalks.