A Brief Overview of Mud Jacking Construction and its Advantages & Disadvantages

Mud jacking involves pumping material underneath sunken concrete surfaces to raise them to their desired elevation. For settled concrete surfaces such as slabs, pavement, or driveways, mud or soil is pumped up to provide support and elevation.

The practice of mud jacking is generally applied to fix cracked sidewalks, uneven patios, sunken porches, sagging parking lots, and other similar issues. No structural foundation problems or structurally damaged concrete surfaces can be repaired with this procedure.

The process of mud jacking, also known as slab jacking or concrete lifting, is an effective method of repairing settled concrete slabs without having to rip them out completely.

Features of Mud Jacking

? It is carried out by pumping mud underneath a sunken concrete surface to lift it. A hydraulic pump pushes mud through holes near the concrete surface. A diameter of 1.5 foot to 2.5 foot is used for drilling the holes.
? Portland cement, topsoil, and water are mixed together to make the mud used for the process.
? In the holes near the settled concrete surface, the mixture is pumped through a hose.
? Under the structure, the pumped slurry fills voids and vacant spaces and hardens to provide solid support.
? Mud jacking involves temporarily elevating concrete surfaces that have settled. Surfaces are neither fixed structurally nor made more durable by this process.
? The following scenarios are appropriate for mud jacking: Just elevate the concrete surface to its intended position; it's just settled and structurally sound.
? Lack of funds or time prevents the client from replacing the concrete surface entirely but he needs a better surface until it is possible to do so.

Various Methods Mud Jacking Process

Hole Drilling

As a first step, drill a series of 2 inch holes in the concrete. A concrete section is typically lifted by drilling holes at strategic locations.

Usually there are three to five holes, though it can be less or more. Space them evenly or consistently along the concrete edge or at a constant distance from it. No random polka dots will be used here.

Slurry Lifting

By introducing a nozzle into the holes, a liquid-like substance is pumped into the holes and lifted up from below the concrete.

Actually, the mud isn't mud at all, but something else that looks like mud but isn't sticky. It is referred to as slurry in the construction industry because its consistency is similar to liquid.

Pumping Portland cement, topsoil, and water together creates a fluid that can be used as a fluid in slurry. Slurry lifts the concrete surface from underneath, as well as fills in all the pockets and voids in the ground beneath. It then hardens when dry for a strong foundation.

Finishing Touch

The work crew will check that everything is back into place and has returned to the proper slope after pumping the slurry under all concrete sections that need to be lifted. In order to level off the concrete, the 2 inch holes drilled through it will be filled in and filled in with concrete. This repair leaves behind circles of fresh concrete, which can be seen. Dirt, weather, and water can fade them over time, making them less visible over time.

Merits of Mud Jacking

The cost of mud jacking is lower than the cost of replacing the entire concrete surface. Water, soil, and cement are mixed together to create the mud used in the process. It takes only a few hours to complete mud jacking. Heavy equipment or a large crew is not required for the process.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: ProFoundationTech

Demerits of Mud Jacking

Cracks in concrete surfaces are not eliminated by mud jacking. Tripping hazards can only be removed by bringing cracks together.

During the mud jacking process, any surface covered in tile or a cosmetic top treatment may be damaged.