Are You Falling for These 5 Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Myths?

Get to the bottom of five common misconceptions about using stone to lift settled concrete.

Let’s clear the air about one of the top 3 methods for restoring sunken concrete – stone slurry grout concrete leveling. Though it’s a highly effective process, misconceptions about it abound.

Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve spent the last 30+ years in the concrete leveling industry, and we’ve heard all the misunderstandings, misconceptions, and straight-up myths about stone slurry grout leveling that you can think of.

But after reading this article, you’ll have a much better understanding of what’s true about this concrete leveling technique so that you can decide whether it’s right for your needs.

Myth #1: Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Leveling Is Mudjacking in Disguise

Claim:

There are only two types of concrete leveling: foam concrete lifting (polyjacking) and mudjacking.

Busted:

Stone slurry grout leveling may share some similarities with mudjacking, but it’s a completely different process with its own advantages.

The key difference? The material used. Mudjacking uses a mixture of soil, sand, and water, whereas stone slurry grout concrete leveling uses a mix of pulverized limestone and water.

The strategies, materials, and equipment used for stone slurry grout leveling also allow for greater control over the lift, and help fill voids under the slabs more completely.

Related Resource: Stone Slurry Grout Leveling vs. Mudjacking Explained

Myth #2:  Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Doesn’t Last

Claim:

Like mudjacking, the limestone slurry material used in stone slurry grout leveling washes away and leaves the concrete unsupported, leading to resettling in the future.

Busted:

The real culprit behind resettling isn’t the leveling material – it’s soil erosion beneath the slab.

While some foam leveling companies boast that their material’s water resistance prevents resettling, the truth is that soil erosion can destabilize any slab, regardless of the material used to lift it back up.

Eliminating erosion sources, like poor drainage or burrowing pests, and maintaining your concrete leveling repair after the fact are the keys to long-lasting results.

Myth #3: Stone Slurry Grout Leveling Requires Large, Noticeable Drill Holes

Claim:

The stone slurry grout process leaves behind unsightly drill holes in concrete.

Busted:

The drill holes for stone slurry grout concrete leveling are typically 1 inch in diameter, which is generally larger than polyjacking (~⅝ inches) but smaller than mudjacking drill holes (up to 2 inches).

Depending on how the holes are sealed, finished, and weather over time, you may not even be able to notice holes of any size. Concrete color, texture, cleanliness, and exposure to sunlight also influence how noticeable the drill holes will be.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is the technicians' ability to control the lifting process, which isn’t influenced by drill hole size.

Myth #4: The Stone Slurry Has to Dry Completely to Support the Concrete

Claim:

Your concrete slab isn’t supported if the limestone slurry material underneath hasn’t completely dried.

Busted:

The beauty of stone slurry grout concrete leveling lies in its ability to support the slab right away. The injected slurry provides and maintains full weight-bearing support as soon as it’s pumped beneath the slab – whether it dries out completely or not.

Over time, the material may dry completely, or it may remain slightly wet or rehydrate with the changing moisture content of the surrounding soil. This is normal and completely expected – your concrete is still supported.

Pro Tip: The limestone-based slurry is designed to allow water to pass through it rather than trapping moisture against the bottom of the slab, which can prevent long-term damage to your concrete. 

Myth #5:  Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Leveling Uses Concrete

Claim:

Concrete is pumped under the slab during the stone slurry grout leveling process.

Busted:

While the stone slurry mixture may resemble concrete, it’s not the same thing. Stone slurry grout leveling uses pulverized limestone and water, and sometimes added cement for extra strength.

Cement is the key component of concrete that binds it all together, but not concrete itself. So even when cement is added to the stone slurry mixture, it doesn’t make it concrete. Instead, it strengthens the mixture, allowing for heavier downward pressure (think vehicle traffic and load-bearing posts).

Your Next Steps

After busting these five myths, you’re ready to separate fact from fiction and make an informed decision about your concrete leveling needs.

While stone slurry grout concrete leveling is an excellent option for many situations, it’s not the only method out there. Take the time to explore additional options, like polyjacking and mudjacking, to find the best fit for your concrete repair.

Still not sure? Request a free estimate from an A-1 location near you to learn more about your options – no myths, just legends!