Introduction
Do you want to repair a driveway that has cracked or contains uneven spots? Perhaps you want to level concrete walkway slabs? If so, you can search for “paving companies near me” online to hire professionals who can help you with the process and solve your problem quickly. However, if you want to level the floor using self-leveling concrete yourself, you need to learn about the deep insights that only experts know so that you can do a good job.
Self-leveling vs Mudjacking vs Foam jacking
Concrete slabs can sink or become uneven due to a variety of reasons including soil swelling, soil shrinking, drainage problems, expansive tree roots that push against the slab, and more. Sometimes, the damage can be so enormous that you have no option left but to replace the whole slab. However, when you notice the signs of damage early on, you can fix the damage through concrete leveling and get it done for cheaper.
However, not all concrete leveling processes are the same and suitable for every type of repair work. These involve different steps and require different budgets. Let’s take a look into the different types of concrete leveling options you need to be aware of:
- Self-leveling – It is the cheapest option you can use to level concrete slab and is often used to treat cracks present in small sections of the slab or small amount of sagging. It is most widely used as a floor underlayment for vinyl flooring or tiling since it has a smooth and consistent fluidity compared to regular concrete mixture. Self-leveling concrete also requires less water compared to traditional concrete mixture.
Self-leveling concrete can be used as an alternative to resurface concrete floors with cracks, spots, and pits present that cannot be fixed using traditional concrete. It can also be utilized to complement planned or existing paint, decor, accent tiling, and backsplashes since you can add coloring additives in it.
Self-leveling concrete should mainly be for interior flooring as a standalone surface or topper. Due to its slurry-like consistency, it is a bad candidate for any type of vertical surface since it doesn’t cure well unless the surface is flat. Plus, you should avoid using it in areas with harsh chemicals or heavy machinery since it is not structurally resilient.
- Mudjacking– Mudjacking is a process that is used to lift sunken concrete slabs such as driveways, patios, sidewalks, pool decks, and more and is more resilient than self-leveling concrete. The process requires the use of drilling multiple holes into the slab about 1.5”-2.5’’ in diameter and injecting cement slurry which consists of a mixture of water, sand, soil, and cement.
Any void inside the slab is filled by the cement slurry and as the pressure inside the slab continues to build it lifts it back up and fixes the damage. Usually, it takes about 24 hours for the cement mixture to harden and complete the curing process. Under normal conditions, mudjacking can last for about 5-7 years if it was done properly.
Note that although mudjacking can be used to lift load-bearing walls, it is not optimal, and the effect is only temporary. It cannot be used to lift foundations or raise concrete slabs that have been damaged severely.
- Foam jacking – Foam jacking is similar tomidjacking where you need to drill holes into the cement slabs and fill it up. But instead of using a cement slurry, the process involves the use of polyurethane foam injections. Unlike cement slurry, polyurethane foam is extremely light weight and is much more resilient than cement slurry. Thus, it is used to repair roads, driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, sinkholes, patios, and more. It is the preferable method to lift up load-bearing walls since it resists sagging, shrinking, and density-reductions.
Also, the process is minimally invasive and doesn’t require excavation or digging. You only need to drill holes of around 5/8’’ in diameter for foam jacking and they look far cleaner than the holes that need to be drilled for mudjacking. Drilling such holes doesn’t damage the integrity of the concrete slabs. The best part is that it only requires 15 minutes for the polyurethane to harden after the foam injection procedure is completed.
Cost of Self-leveling vs Mudjacking vs Foam jacking
The average cost of materials needed for concrete leveling and the labor cost will vary across different regions. Some contractors offer better quality materials and a guarantee for more expensive service and some offer discounts but do a shoddy job. We recommend you consult at least three different contractors to get a correct estimate before hiring any contractor to do the job. Now, let’s look at the typical costs involved in different types of concrete leveling options:
- Cost of self-leveling – On average, the polymer compound present in self leveling concrete costs about $1.20 per square foot. The contractors usually charge a flat rate for labor that is two to three times the cost of materials. So, it would usually be about $4.80. Thus, the total cost per square foot can come to about $6.
- Cost of mudjacking– The average cost of the materials required for mudjacking is about $5 per square foot and the labor charge ranges between $3.6 to $5. So, the total cost of mudjacking per square foot is between $8.6 to $10 on average.
- Cost of foam jacking – Foam jacking is much more costly than mudjacking and self-leveling but is of the preferred method for lifting load-bearing walls since it is stronger and lasts longer. Typically, the polyurethane foam costs about $20 per square foot and the labor charge remains the same as mudjacking. Thus, the total cost per square foot ranges between $23.6 to $25.
Conclusion
Depending on your budget and DIY expertise, you can easily level a concrete floor with some knowledge and hands-on experience. However, if this is your first time working on such a project and you have no prior knowledge about how to handle the tools and equipment required for the mudjacking or concrete leveling process, it can become a very risky venture. Even if you succeed, you are most likely to do a sloppy job. In such cases, it is better to hire a professional by searching for “paving companies near me” online.
