Quick Answer
A sinking concrete slab is lifted back to grade by polyjacking (foam) or mudjacking (slurry) at 25 to 50 percent of replacement cost, provided the slab itself is still intact.
If the slab is sound but has settled, lifting beats replacing on both cost and time. B.G. Concrete raises settled driveways, walks, and stoops across the suburbs when the concrete is worth saving — and says so when it is not.
How slab lifting raises sinking concrete
Small holes are drilled through the slab and either a cement slurry (mudjacking) or expanding polyurethane foam (polyjacking) is pumped underneath to fill voids and lift the concrete back to grade. The holes are patched and the surface is usable the same day or shortly after.
Mudjacking versus polyjacking
r/Concrete discussions weigh the two methods: mudjacking is lower cost and uses a heavier slurry, while polyjacking foam is lighter, cures fast, and resists washout. Both cost a fraction of replacement when the slab is intact.
When lifting will not fix sinking concrete
Lifting restores grade but cannot rescue a slab that is badly cracked or crumbling, and it will not last if the underlying cause, like poor drainage on Chicago clay, is ignored. In those cases a corrected base and a new pour is the better spend.
Related Questions
Should I repair or replace my driveway?
Replace when over a third of the slab is failing; lift or repair isolated damage on a sound slab. Read more about repair vs replace.
Why does concrete crack?
Shrinkage, freeze-thaw, and base settlement cause cracks; control joints direct them. Read more about why concrete cracks.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
About 30 to 40 years in the Chicago climate when built correctly. Read more about driveway lifespan.
B.G. Concrete pours concrete across Wood Dale and the NW Chicago suburbs — see our concrete leveling services or call 630-595-1518 for a written figure.