Mudjacking vs. Slabjacking: What’s the Difference?

Find out what makes mudjacking and slabjacking unique.

In the world of concrete repair and maintenance, there are so many terms that it’s easy to feel lost. The concrete leveling process alone goes by "concrete lifting," "concrete raising," "concrete jacking," and more!

One of the many names for concrete leveling is "slabjacking" – but this term often gets confused with a similar word: "mudjacking."

In this article, we’re breaking down the difference between slabjacking and mudjacking to help you keep some of this concrete repair terminology straight. 

Mudjacking vs. Slabjacking: The Difference

Mudjacking and slabjacking often get mistakenly used as interchangeable synonyms. In reality, slabjacking is an umbrella term to describe concrete leveling in general, and mudjacking is just one type of concrete lifting.

There are three main types of slabjacking: 

• Mudjacking
• Polyjacking (foam concrete leveling) 
• Stone slurry grout leveling 

More on these later. 

Why Are Mudjacking and Slabjacking Often Confused?

Concrete repair terms (concrete leveling terms especially) can vary by region, company, and even individual person, so it’s normal that some definitions get mixed up.

In many regions, "mudjacking" may be used to mean concrete leveling in general. And within that same region, “slabjacking” may be considered mudjacking in one town, and vice versa in another. As you can see, it can get pretty confusing.  

Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve been lifting concrete for over 30 years in locations all over the US, and the definitions in this article are what we use to describe mudjacking vs. slabjacking. But it’s important to note that they may vary depending on where you are and who you’re talking to.

Types of Slabjacking

While all slabjacking methods work in the same way (drill holes, pump leveling compound beneath the slab to lift, patch holes), they have some differences.

Mudjacking

Mudjacking raises slabs by injecting a mix of sand, soil, water, and occasionally cement underneath. It’s typically done with high speed and pressure, requiring larger drill holes.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Mudjacking

Stone Slurry Grout Leveling

Stone slurry grout concrete leveling lifts slabs by gradually filling voids with a pulverized limestone mixture. The thickness of the mixture can be adjusted to control the void filling and lifting process.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Stone Slurry Grout Leveling

Foam Concrete Leveling

Polyurethane foam concrete leveling, or "polyjacking," raises slabs by injecting a chemical solution that forms expanding foam underneath, applying enough pressure from below to lift the concrete.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Foam Concrete Leveling

Which Type of Slabjacking Should You Choose?

Now that you’ve learned that mudjacking is just one type of slabjacking, you may be left wondering which is the right one for your settled concrete.

They each come with their own sets of pros and cons, so researching and comparing all the different types can help. This Concrete Academy resource is a good place to start:

The Types of Concrete Leveling: Comparing Mud, Foam, and Stone

It’s also a good idea to request estimates and talk with as many professionals as you can, that way you have expert opinions for your unique situation. If you're not quite sure what you should be asking during your estimate, here is a list of questions that can help:

13 Questions To Ask During Your Concrete Leveling Estimate

Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we do slabjacking using the stone slurry grout and foam concrete leveling methods. If you’re interested in seeing how these can restore your settled concrete, click the link below to request a free onsite cost estimate!

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