Step-by-Step Concrete Raising & Leveling

Concrete Slabjacking Process Explained: How We Lift & Level Sunken Slabs

Slabjacking (a.k.a. mudjacking or concrete leveling) restores uneven, sunken concrete without digging it out. We drill tiny access holes, inject engineered grout or high-density foam, then hydraulically raise your slab back to level — all often in just hours and ready for immediate use. Learn how the slabjacking process works and why it’s one of the smartest alternatives to slab replacement.

What Happens in Each Step

1. Damage Assessment & Planning

A professional evaluates how much your slab has settled and confirms slabjacking is the right fix — not replacement or another method.

2. Strategic Drilling of Access Holes

Small, precisely located holes (often 1–2″ diameter) are drilled where lifting is needed.

3. Injection of Lift Material

Depending on site needs we pump in:

  • Traditional grout slurry
  • or modern expanding polyurethane foam (sets in minutes, fewer holes, lighter yet strong)

4. Raising & Leveling the Slab

Injected material fills voids and creates upward pressure that lifts the slab back to its original grade.

5. Patch & Finish

Holes are sealed and surface cleaned so traffic can resume right away.

Why This Process Matters

Faster Than Replacement

Many jobs finish in hours versus days or weeks for new concrete.

Cost-Effective

Typically 50% or less of the cost to rip out and replace slabs.

Minimal Disruption & Immediate Use

No heavy demolition, no landscaping damage, no long cure times.  Modern materials let you walk or drive on the slab almost right away.

Environmentally Friendly

No landfill waste and less energy usage.

Slabjacking vs Concrete Replacement

Replacing a concrete slab involves demolition, hauling debris, pouring new concrete, and waiting days for it to cure. Slabjacking lifts and stabilizes the existing slab, preserving what’s already there.

In many cases, slabjacking costs significantly less and minimizes disruption to landscaping, driveways, sidewalks, or interior floors.

How Long Does Concrete Leveling Take?

Most slabjacking projects are completed in just a few hours, not days. Because the concrete slab is lifted and stabilized from below, there is no demolition, forming, pouring, or extended curing period like traditional slab replacement.

From start to finish, the concrete leveling process is designed to minimize disruption while restoring structural support and elevation in a single visit. For homeowners and property managers, that means faster repairs and less downtime.

Same-Day Concrete Leveling with Minimal Cure Time

Unlike new concrete installation, slabjacking does not require days of curing. Most lifted slabs are ready for foot traffic immediately and can often support vehicle traffic within hours, depending on material used. Whether using polyurethane foam injection or traditional mudjacking slurry, the slabjacking timeline is significantly shorter than full concrete replacement.

Why Do Concrete Slabs Sink in the First Place?

Concrete typically settles due to soil movement or voids forming beneath the slab. Common causes include:

  • Soil erosion from poor drainage
  • Compaction issues during original construction
  • Expansive clay soil shrinkage
  • Plumbing leaks washing out supporting soil
  • The slabjacking process addresses the symptom by filling voids and restoring support beneath the slab.

Polyurethane Foam vs Traditional Mudjacking

Traditional mudjacking uses a cement-based slurry to lift concrete. Modern polyurethane foam injection expands rapidly, requires smaller drill holes, adds minimal weight to soil, and cures in minutes.

The right material depends on site conditions, load requirements, and long-term soil stability.