Mudjacking Versus Polyjacking — Is Polyurethane the Better Option?

Oct 1, 2019 | Concrete Leveling Houston

If you were to search for concrete leveling in the Houston area, your screen would be inundated with a variety of concrete repair companies specializing in mudjacking. This traditional service consists of pumping a cement slurry beneath sinking slabs to provide stability and support. After years of use in the industry, a new competing material has been making progress — expanding polyurethane foam. Both serve to restore the beauty of your residential or commercial concrete, but which is better?

Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to serve as your source for Top Rated Local® concrete leveling across the Houston area. We can get the job done quickly and efficiently, leaving almost no trace behind. What you’re left with is a quality finish backed by a two-year unconditional warranty.

Keep reading to compare a few key components of each concrete repair material, and be sure to contact us or request a free estimate when you’re ready to get started with our local concrete repair pros!

Aesthetic Impacts

The Results of Typical Mudjacking Applications

Both services can raise your sunken concrete caused by voids with little impact to the surface’s smooth quality, but remember that mudjacking relies on the drilling of several holes to apply the material. These spots are typically 1 to 1 5/8th of an inch in diameter, which can add up. Polyurethane foam, on the other hand, requires two small holes coming in at only 5/8th of an inch.

Both services may result in an even slab, but keep in mind that concrete leveling with polyurethane will result in much cleaner and less impactful results on the finish. If you’re trying to preserve the value of your home or protect the beauty of your business, be sure to trust the pros at Tilted Concrete Solutions!

Cure Times

Consisting of traditional materials, the process of mudjacking requires some time to fully cure. After 24 hours, most concrete mixtures will reach 70% of their intended design strength. This cement slurry will yield the results you want, but be prepared to wait a couple of days.

Polyurethane foam, on the other hand, expands in the void and cures in about 15 minutes, hardening to full strength and allowing you to return your concrete back to full service. This can prove ideal for bustling businesses, real estate agents looking to maximize their seller’s home value, and more.

Added Weight Loads

Mudjacking is considered a structural void fill, and is recognized as being a heavy solution for residential and commercial concrete lifting. Traditional concrete ranges in weight but often comes in around 130 pounds per cubic foot, with mudjacking weighing in around 110 pounds per cubic foot. If you have a considerable repair on your hands, the weight of this concrete repair can add up! Polyjacking, on the other hand, only weighs about two pounds per cubic foot. The result is quality concrete leveling without the concerns of heavy weight causing further soil disruption..

Future Washout Concerns

Mudjacking is the time-tested solution for many homes and businesses across Texas, but what about its longevity? Keep in mind that the slurry material may not be able to fill all of the voids, and may require repumping in the future for a level finish. If mudjacking materials are exposed to water, they are likely to begin breaking down and washing away. This is true for all manners of concrete, which is why concrete leveling is often needed in the first place!

Polyurethane foam expands to fill voids, providing better fills and improved lifetime results. Our formula will mix with the native soils beneath your slab and gain strength and stability as a result. Polyurethane concrete repairs are intended to last a long time, much longer than mudjacking slurries.

Chemical Profiles

Texas harbors a unique soil profile, rife with reactive soils and fatty clays which can wreak havoc as the conditions change. If your concrete-leveling compound is not formulated for success, you may end up dealing with future issues!

Mudjacking makes use of a slurry material, including cement, to create a hard, rigid finish. Polyjacking relies on an expanding polyurethane foam which is inert, providing zero reactivity to in situ soils.

Tilted Concrete Solutions is native to Texas, and our two-part polyurethane foam is comprised of locally sourced materials to work beneficially with our complex soil profile. Compared to other companies who rely on a generic foam, our concrete leveling contractors deploy this specialty mix to increase the quality and accuracy of our services.

Eco-Friendly Considerations

Mudjacking is often touted as the “natural solution,” relying on a mixture of safe materials that will not impact the surrounding soil or nearby water sources. No negative impacts have been found from mudjacking, and after years of use, the industry accepts it as a trustworthy source for safe results.

The inert qualities of our formula allow us to provide concrete leveling services anywhere. Simply put, our polyurethane foam is non-toxic and safe for the environment. Tilted Concrete Solutions can deliver the same peace of mind as traditional mudjacking, plus a medley of other advantages. Our concrete leveling professionals have the skills, equipment, and experience to provide a beautiful and long-lasting outcome for your project needs!

Contact Us Today

Are you convinced that leveling your sinking concrete with polyurethane is the way to go? Reach out to Tilted Concrete Solutions to learn more! Our team specializes in concrete leveling across Houston, and we’re confident that we can deliver industry-leading services to make your life better. Contact us online today to learn more, and our experts will reach out to you for a complete consultation!