Is slabjacking the same as mudjacking?

Yes — different names for the same process. Both terms describe pumping material beneath a slab to lift it.

How much does slabjacking cost?

Mudjacking slabjacking typically runs $300–$3,500 for residential work in West Michigan, depending on the size of the job. Poly foam slabjacking costs 25–50% more for the same scope.

How long does slabjacking last?

8–12 years is typical for mudjacking in Michigan conditions. Poly foam slabjacking tends to last longer in high-moisture environments.

Can slabjacking fix all types of settled concrete?

No. The slab needs to be structurally sound for lifting. Crumbling concrete, slabs broken into multiple pieces that have shifted laterally, or concrete damaged by root intrusion may not be good candidates.

Is slabjacking permanent?

Nothing in concrete work is truly permanent — Michigan's soil and climate continue to act on your slab after repair. But a well-done slabjacking job lasts long enough to be a sound investment relative to replacement.

Slabjacking in West Michigan: What It Is and How It Compares to Your Other Options

If you've searched "slabjacking" and ended up here, you're likely looking at the same thing as mudjacking — the terms are used interchangeably in the concrete lifting industry. This page clarifies what slabjacking means, how the process works, and how it fits into the broader set of options for fixing sunken concrete in West Michigan.

What Is Slabjacking?

Slabjacking is a concrete lifting technique that raises a settled slab by pumping a material beneath it to fill the void and push the slab back to its original elevation. The name comes from the mechanical concept: you're jacking the slab — lifting it — from beneath.

Slabjacking = mudjacking = slab jacking. These are different names for the same process. You'll also see it called:

Mud jacking
Concrete lifting
Concrete raising
Concrete leveling (broader term that includes both mudjacking and poly foam injection)

The material pumped beneath the slab distinguishes the two main approaches:

Traditional slabjacking (mudjacking): A slurry of Portland cement, sand, and water — sometimes mixed with fly ash or soil. Heavy, proven, affordable.

Foam slabjacking (polyjacking): Two-part polyurethane foam injected through smaller holes. Lighter, faster, more expensive, more durable in wet conditions.

Most people who say "slabjacking" mean the mudjacking method. When you call us, we'll ask a few questions and recommend the approach that makes sense for your situation.

The Slabjacking Process

Whether we're using mudjacking slurry or polyurethane foam, the core process is the same:

Step 1 — Assessment: We look at the slab to understand how far it's dropped, whether it's cracked, and what's likely going on beneath it. A slab that bounces or feels hollow when tapped often has a void beneath. One that's solid but lower than it should be may have settled soil rather than an open void.

Step 2 — Drilling: We drill holes through the slab in a pattern designed to give us access to the void from multiple angles. Mudjacking holes are about 1.5–2 inches; poly foam holes are 5/8 inch.

Step 3 — Injection: Material is pumped beneath the slab under pressure. It flows into the void and begins filling it. As the void fills, the material starts to push the slab upward.

Step 4 — Lifting and leveling: We monitor the slab as it rises, stop when it's at the right elevation, and adjust injection points as needed for even lifting.

Step 5 — Patching and cleanup: Drill holes are filled with a cement patch. The equipment comes off the property and you're left with a level slab and small patches at each hole location.

Slabjacking in West Michigan's Climate

Michigan's freeze-thaw cycle is a significant factor in why slabjacking is common here. The repeated expansion and contraction of water beneath a slab — and around the edges of a slab — causes gradual, cumulative settlement over time. West Michigan compounds this with lake-effect moisture that keeps soils wetter than inland areas.

The soils in Kent and Ottawa counties trend sandy — which means they don't always compact tightly under a slab, and they can erode gradually over years as water passes through them. The result is the kind of void formation that slabjacking is designed to address.

Slabjacking doesn't stop the underlying processes — soil still moves, water still flows. It addresses the current problem and, combined with drainage improvements, can prevent recurrence for many years.

What Slabjacking Costs

Slabjacking pricing in West Michigan depends on the method used and the extent of settlement:

Mudjacking / traditional slabjacking:

Sidewalk panel: $300–$600
Porch / steps: $600–$1,500
Standard driveway: $1,500–$3,200
Garage floor: $800–$2,000

Poly foam slabjacking:

Add 25–50% to the above ranges for most jobs

Both options are significantly less than concrete replacement, which runs $10–$15 per square foot installed in West Michigan.

When Slabjacking Is the Right Call

Slabjacking works when the slab is structurally sound but has settled due to soil voids beneath it. It's not the right approach when:

The slab is crumbling or badly deteriorated
Settlement is caused by an active tree root pushing from below (not eroding from beneath)
There's a plumbing leak beneath the slab washing away soil (fix the leak first)
The slab has shifted laterally, not just vertically

When you call us, we'll give you a straight answer on which category you're in.