Concrete Leveling & Mudjacking in Austin

About This Service

Concrete leveling — through mudjacking or polyurethane foam lifting — is the fastest and most economical way to correct sunken sidewalks, driveways, patios, pool decks, and garage floors in Austin. It's dramatically cheaper than full slab replacement, and when the underlying void problem is properly addressed, it lasts.

Mudjacking (also called slabjacking) works by drilling a series of small holes through the sunken slab, then pressure-injecting a cement-sand-water slurry beneath it. The slurry fills voids, compresses weak soil, and creates a hydraulic pressure that lifts the slab back to grade. The holes are patched, and the area is back in service within hours.

Polyurethane foam lifting is a newer alternative that uses two-part expanding foam injected through smaller holes. The foam expands to fill voids and lifts the slab with less material and quicker set times. It's particularly useful in areas where minimizing water addition to the soil is important.

Why This Happens in Austin

Concrete slabs outside the foundation — driveways, sidewalks, patios — settle for a simpler reason than foundations: soil erosion and consolidation under the slab. Water washing under a slab creates voids. Organic material below (old tree roots, buried wood debris from construction) decomposes and creates voids. Improperly compacted fill consolidates over years. The slab, unsupported, deflects and cracks.

In Austin, the clay soil factor that makes foundation settlement complex is less of a factor here — exterior concrete slabs typically aren't carrying structural loads, so the repair doesn't need to reach the clay-active zone depth. Filling the void and providing support within the upper soil layers is sufficient.

How the Repair Process Works

1. 1
   Void assessment: We probe the area with a rod to locate voids and map sunken sections. We assess the size of the void and the cause of the settlement to determine the appropriate fill volume.
2. 2
   Hole drilling: 1.5–2 inch holes are drilled through the slab in a pattern calculated to provide even coverage of the void below.
3. 3
   Slurry or foam injection: Slurry (mudjacking) or expanding foam is injected through the holes under controlled pressure. Lift progress is monitored at the slab edges.
4. 4
   Lift control: Injection continues until the slab reaches target grade. We monitor adjacent slabs and structures to prevent over-lift.
5. 5
   Hole patching: Injection holes are filled with mortar and matched to the slab color as closely as possible.
6. 6
   Surface sealing: For driveways and high-use areas, we recommend a joint sealer to prevent future water infiltration through the slab cracks.

Frequently Asked Questions