As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, being outside is crucial. Spending evenings in a beautiful outdoor space with family and friends creates memories that will last a lifetime, but if the concrete patios, walkways, driveways and even the steps are sinking it can make it harder to enjoy.

Uneven concrete slabs cause bruised toes, hard falls and the constant need to warn family and friends to watch their step, making spending time outside unpleasant. Insert The Mudjacking Guy. Owner Michael Longo has been fixing uneven concrete slabs for over 15 years, giving his clients peace of mind without breaking the bank.

 “Replacing concrete slabs can become not only costly but it can mess with the aesthetic of the patio, walkway or driveway that the homeowner is trying to fix,” says Longo. “We saw a need for it which prompted us to begin using a cheaper and greener alternative— mudjacking.”

Although it’s not a widely known form, mudjacking is the best alternative to save money and time. To fix sinking concrete, The Mudjacking Guy comes in, drills holes into the slab—the number of holes is determined by how big the slab is—and then either injects a polyurethane foam or a mud slurry into the holes and the hydraulic pressure of the mud slurry goes underneath the concrete, bringing it back up to where it belongs. Then foam plugs are inserted into the holes so the concrete surface can be cleaned and then are pushed down so concrete can fill the hole, creating a smooth, even surface.

 “Not only do we use mud to raise the concrete but we also use a polyurethane foam and the benefit of the foam is that it has a higher longevity than mud,” Longo says. “When we use foam the hole size that we drill into the concrete is also a lot smaller and it attaches itself to the bottom of the concrete once it is injected, so the foam will not come out or wash away. Whereas the mud doesn't attach itself to anything so if there is a lot of running water underneath the concrete the mud could wash out.”

No matter what material is used, though, the process is done in a timely manner and the homeowner can begin walking or even driving on it shortly after.

 “Our process is quick, efficient and effective,” says Longo. “The job is completed in less than a day and you can walk on it as soon as it is done as well as drive on it after 12 hours. Whereas fresh concrete needs a cure time up to two weeks before you can walk or drive on it.” Compared to replacing concrete, the price for mudjacking is around half the cost and it doesn’t require a harsh carbon footprint. There is no waste, minimal fossil fuel used and the materials are chemical free.

But there’s more to consider than just cost and environmental aspects. An outdoor living space should feel serene and comfortable—a place where worries melt away. The aesthetics should still be maintained which can change if a concrete pad is replaced. When a concrete area is created, the color fades over time and when a new slab is poured, the color will appear darker and will forever be a different shade than the rest. If there is a decorative aspect to the slab as well, then the new pad will not always match perfectly to the older ones.

 “Patios and walkways can have a decorative appeal to them, the concrete can be stamped or colored and when you replace the sinking slab then you are losing that look,” Longo says. “The concrete patio or flatwork will never look the same, it'll never match.”

The Mudjacking Guy
Serving Southern New Jersey up to Union County, Eastern Pa., and Delaware
(856) 767-2269
TheMudjackingGuy.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 20, Issue 9 (March 2020). 
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