Homeowners all over Kansas City are saying, Help! My driveway needs concrete lifting!” and ” It looks like my driveway is sinking.” They start to see a variety of issues with the driveway they may not have noticed before:
- uneven concrete slabs by the garage or by the street
- driveway slabs are cracking (some pretty badly)
- a 2-3″ drop where the driveway and the garage meet
- having to ‘gun’ the accelerator to get into the garage
A driveway that had been mudjacked before and is showing these signs can frustrate a homeowner. Much money was spent on mudjacking to fix a problem that has resurfaced. A first reaction is to blame the company that did the “shoddy” work. We are letting you know that your blame is probably misplaced.
Mudjacking may not be a permanent fix.
The traditional mudjacking process with cement, water and dirt may not permanently fix your sunken driveway or sidewalk. If weather conditions have been dry over the past few years, the water in the soil and in the traditional process may have evaporated. As a result, the compound that once held up the concrete is now sinking with the driveway! It’s not the mudjacking company’s fault the weather has been dry, and the water has now evaporated in the compound. The process may be inherently flawed or, at best, at risk for repeat problems.
How do you tell if your driveway needs Concrete Lifting?
Foam jacking (or poly jacking as it is sometimes referred to) uses a high-tech 2-part polyurethane foam levelling process. Mud jacking uses a mixture of dirt, water and cement. Polyurethane Foam is injected into much smaller holes that are made into the concrete- 5/8”. Mud jacking holes are drilled at 2-3”. It is necessary for the process to drill more holes for mud jacking as the mixture cannot flow easily into voids under concrete. Because foam jacking expands 7 feet in either direction, lifting the concrete slabs into place with fewer holes is necessary. Foam jacking can be used in tight spaces between buildings because the hoses that are used are nimble. The Mud jacking process uses heavy equipment and can leave a mess on your grass and landscaping.
Polyurethane foam is set within 30 minutes. Consequently, you can drive your car on it sooner and use your driveway as usual. Mud jacking is set in 4-6 hours. Foam jacking does not retain moisture. It is impervious to water and will not erode with snow and rain. Polyurethane foam weighs 3-8 pounds per cubic foot, whereas typical mud jacking can weigh 100-120 pounds per foot.
Do I need to Replace my Driveway?
That’s a good question. It seems like the only way to know the answer to that question is to have a professional evaluate it. Replacing your driveway will be 50-70% more costly than lifting it would be. The owners of Concrete Raising Systems have a background in General Contracting. They can tell you, without bias, that your driveway can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. They have a two-year guarantee (as long as the home is ten years old), ensuring their advice will be in the homeowners’ best interest.
Did you recently notice the cracking cement and the uneven slabs in your driveway? In fact, did you notice them last year? Did the creaks worsen, and did the concrete sink a little more? Unfortunately, the longer you wait to address this sinking concrete problem, the more expensive the concrete lifting repair will be. Waiting too long may decrease your options, and the concrete may be beyond repair and need replacing. It doesn’t cost anything to contact Concrete Raising Systems to get a quote for driveway lifting/repair (or to get a quote for a sidewalk, porch, patio, garage, barn or basement floor). As a result, the more you know, the better informed you will be. Finally, when you have solid information, you can decide about your concrete and if the driveway needs concrete lifting with foam!
This article was originally published in May 2015 and has been updated with current information.
Home owners are looking to improve their homes this time of year and creating curb appeal is very important. I often see homes that have driveways with large cracks and uneven surfaces which is a concern when they are looking to sell. Mudjacking is a great solution and many need to learn more about it. This is an option I will certainly be sharing with my clients!
Just like you mentioned, I have noticed a drop where my garage and driveway meet. I wasn’t aware that mud jacking could help with this problem! You said that mud jacking holes are drilled at two to three inches. That’s about the size of the drop in my driveway! I’ll start looking for a contractor to help me out with this project.
I totally agree! We thought we would have to replace our whole driveway about a year ago. I’m so glad we called a mudjacker first. They fixed everything up permanently for a much lower cost. Thanks for sharing!
I thought it was interesting when you talked about how the mudjacking process uses heavy equipment. It seems like mudjacking is something that needs to be performed by professionals since the equipment can’t just be rented. If you are trying to repair your driveway, it is important to make sure that it is done by a professional so that your foundation isn’t affected.