FOAM VS MUD-JACKING
Foam vs Mud-Jacking – The Ongoing Debate
When it comes to lifting and leveling concrete slabs, the debate between foam vs mud-jacking is ongoing. It’s important to know that each method has its nuances, and the success of the project depends on the expertise, experience, and reputation of the company doing the work. The effectiveness of even the best tool depends on the skills of the person using it.
MuddRuckers Experience
With over three decades of experience in slab jacking, MuddRuckers has not only refined its expertise but has also introduced unique mud-jacking equipment, processes, and warranties that are unmatched in the industry. Comparisons between the two processes often fall short of capturing the full scope of what MuddRuckers offers.
MuddRuckers has actively used the foam jacking (also called poly lifting or foam injection) process in various commercial applications, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing the suitability of each method, we provide an informed and unbiased perspective to all potential customers. Our stellar customer service reputation in the Manitoba marketplace for concrete lifting and leveling reflects our commitment to preserving and enhancing our standing.
To offer homeowners a comprehensive choice, we extend our foam jacking alternative to residential customers. Leveraging our extensive commercial experience with this option and our overall proficiency in slab jacking, we empower homeowners to make confident and informed decisions.
Factors to Consider
Consider the following factors when evaluating options for residential applications:
- Experience and Expertise:
- Assess the company’s history and proficiency in both foam vs mud-jacking.
- Technology and Equipment:
- Understand the tools and equipment employed in each process to ensure they align with the specific needs of your project.
- Warranties and Guarantees:
- Evaluate the warranties and guarantees offered by the company for both mud-jacking and foam jacking solutions – specifically understanding exactly what the warranty covers.
- Customer Feedback:
- Explore customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the company’s track record in delivering satisfactory results.
- Cost-Effectiveness:
- Consider the overall cost and value proposition associated with each method, factoring in long-term durability and performance.
Feedback
We welcome any additional thoughts or feedback you may have to enhance our representation of these alternatives and ensure that our customers make well-informed decisions. At MuddRuckers, our commitment is not just to the processes we employ but to the satisfaction and confidence of our valued customers.
– Our foam jacking is 3/8”
– Our mud jacking is 1-3/8”
All holes are patched with concrete.
Mudjacking will generally be less expensive by about 15 to 25%. This is primarily a factor of material cost and so will vary depending on the situation. In rare cases foam jacking may even be cheaper. If both options are equally applicable to our customers we will quote on each.
Many single option companies will (or should) turn down jobs because they don’t have the right tools or experience. We have the advantage of knowing from extensive experience what really can be accomplished with either process and so can provide guarantee result for a fixed price. Generally speaking, mudjacking provides the most versatility and best control of the lifting process. In some cases either tool may do the job but in almost every case there is one tool that will do the best job. Our guarantee is that no one will do it better than us. We have had a lot of experience correcting the mistakes of others.
MuddRuckers has an industry unique unconditional warranty of 3 years on all lifting and levelling work performed. That means that if any settlement greater than ¾“ should occur we will re-lift the work at no cost to the customer. We also provide a lifetime warranty on all mud-jack materials used and an industry leading 10 year warranty on all foam jack materials. Check out our Guarantee.
Customers that choose to lift rather than replace have already made the most environmentally friendly choice. Producing new concrete is very energy intensive and removing and replacing old concrete is also very energy consumptive. The natural limestone product we use for our mud-jacking process is totally environmentally friendly and 100% permanent. The polyurethane based foams used for slab jacking have been greatly improved in recent years. Current products are especially formulated to reduce breakdown and interaction with the environment. Once contained under concrete and away from sunlight and interaction with volatile chemicals they will retain their strength and volume without disintegration for many years.
Material weight is almost never a real issue. The limestone product used in our mud-jacking is obviously heavier than foam but no different in weight than the gravel and base materials typically placed under concrete slabs.
Foam does have an advantage if under-the-slab insulation is important and is the primary reason we have used this application in some heated floor situations.
On-site equipment can be a factor in favor of foam jacking as it can usually be done with just one truck and trailer unit whereas mudjacking typically requires two.
In actual fact, temperature is a non issue as both methods only require that the concrete slab is not frozen to the ground.
Imperviousness is sometimes cited as a foam advantage but can often be a disadvantage in typical residential slab applications. Sealing the underside of a slab will trap moisture in the cracks and could cause frost damage to the concrete. The cracks between paving stones for example allow water to pass through to the sand below and then dissipate into the sub-soils.
