What Is Slabjacking?

Learn what slabjacking is, the different types, pros and cons, when to use it, and more.

If you’ve had enough of warning guests about the trip hazard out front, or you’re tired of driving over the same annoying hump in your driveway day after day, you have options.

Slabjacking is one of them –  a cost-effective and convenient way to lift those settled slabs back up into the proper position without the downsides that come with replacement.

Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we perform two types of slabjacking: stone slurry grout and foam concrete leveling. And over the years, we’ve gotten lots of questions about it.

In this article, we’re answering some of those questions by breaking down what slabjacking is, how it works, the different types, its pros and cons, and more.

What Is Slabjacking?

Slabjacking (also spelled “slab jacking”) is a generic term to describe the process of lifting a sunken or settled slab back up to an even position. 

Rather than tearing out the concrete and replacing it, slabjacking saves time and money by lifting the slabs that are already there.  

Other common names for slabjacking are: 

• Concrete leveling 
• Concrete lifting
• Concrete raising
• Concrete jacking
• Mudjacking (a type of slabjacking that often gets used interchangeably)

There are three distinct types of slabjacking (which we’ll cover later on), but they all follow the same set of steps to lift your settled concrete back up into the right position.

How Does Slabjacking Work?

No matter the type of slabjacking used, the process looks like this:

Step 1: Strategically placed holes are drilled in the settled slab.

Step 2: A leveling compound (grout, mud, or foam) is pumped through the holes and under the slab. The pressure from this compound causes the slab to rise.

Step 3: Once the slab is in the proper position, the drill holes are patched and the area is cleaned off.

Related Resource: How Does Concrete Leveling Work?

Types of Slabjacking

Slabjacking is a term used to describe concrete lifting in general, but professionals use three main methods to lift concrete.

This section will talk about each type of slabjacking briefly, but for a detailed comparison, check out this resource: Types of Concrete Leveling: Comparing Grout, Foam, and Mudjacking

• Stone Slurry Grout Leveling

Stone slurry grout concrete leveling uses a mixture of pulverized limestone and water to slowly fill any voids under the slab and gradually lift it back into position.

The thickness of the limestone compound can be adjusted during the repair to better control the results. A thinner consistency can spread out and fill voids while a thicker one can lift more.

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

• Foam Concrete Leveling (Polyjacking)

Polyurethane foam concrete leveling (also called “polyjacking”) works by injecting a two-part chemical solution under the slab. 

These chemicals react when they come in contact with each other and create expanding foam under the concrete, which puts pressure on the slab and causes it to rise.

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Foam Concrete Leveling

• Mudjacking

Mudjacking uses a mixture of sand, soil, water, and sometimes cement under the slab to lift it back into position, often faster and with higher pressure.

Mudjacking is often mistakenly used as an umbrella term to mean slabjacking or concrete leveling in general, but it’s actually only one type of slabjacking

Related Resource: The Pros and Cons of Mudjacking

How Much Does Slabjacking Cost?

In general, the cost of slabjacking ranges between $600 to $6,000, but slabjacking pricing varies by location, job size, material used, and more. 

Below is a chart that shows average slabjacking costs for the stone slurry grout leveling method. 

For more detailed pricing information on all concrete leveling methods, check out this resource: Concrete Leveling Cost Guide (2024)

Slabjacking Pros and Cons

Slabjacking, like anything, comes with benefits and drawbacks. 

Pros

• Very cost-effective compared to replacement

Slabjacking can save up to 70% off the cost of concrete replacement.

• Quick turnaround time

Slabjacking is typically done in a few hours, and rarely does it take more than a day.

• Convenient process

Slabjacking is much less messy than replacement, the concrete can be used again like normal after 24 hours, and it doesn’t disturb your yard or landscaping.

• No mismatched slabs

Slabjacking lifts your existing concrete, so all of your slabs will still match afterward.

Cons

• Cracks don’t go away 

Because slabjacking uses the existing concrete, the cracks don’t go away. In fact, they may increase or decrease in size. (But they can be blended in with concrete caulk.)

• Can’t always predict the outcome

There are a lot of variables when it comes to slabjacking, and some of them are unknown until after the repair begins, making it hard to predict how it will turn out exactly.

• It’s only as good as the ground it’s on

If the soil under the concrete hasn’t finished settling naturally or has problems with erosion and pests, the concrete could resettle over time. (This can also be an issue with new concrete.)

Read about these in more detail: Is Concrete Leveling Worth It? The Pros & Cons

When To Use Slabjacking

There are many cases where slabjacking is a good idea. Here are some examples of  problems slabjacking can help solve:

• Uneven or settled concrete causing trip hazards
• Unstable or sinking concrete steps
• Tree roots raising slabs
• Basement or garage floors sinking
• Water flow around homes or retaining walls
• Voids or erosion under concrete

Related Resource: 7 Common Problems That Concrete Leveling Can Solve

When Not To Use Slabjacking

There are also some cases where slabjacking isn’t the ideal solution. Here are a few examples of when you shouldn’t slabjack concrete:

• Your concrete is severely cracked or crumbling
• Your goal is to even out the surface texture
• You want to add or remove a design/functional feature (e.g. add a ramp)
• Your concrete is lifted too far out of place by tree roots 

Slabjacking FAQ

Is Slabjacking Worth It?

Slabjacking is a great option to preserve the concrete you have. And no matter which type of slabjacking you go with, it can last for the life of the concrete itself.

But slabjacking comes with its own set of pros and cons, so you’ll have to take them into account when deciding if it’s the right option for you. 

Over the last 30+ years here at A-1, we’ve helped countless customers restore their concrete with slabjacking using the stone slurry grout and foam concrete leveling methods. 

If you’d like to see how slabjacking can work for you, click the link below to request a free onsite cost estimate with a member of the A-1 team!

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