Know Your Options
Poly Jacking vs. Mudjacking
Both methods lift sunken concrete but they work very differently. Here's what you need to know before choosing a concrete repair method in Central and South Florida.
What is Mudjacking?
Mudjacking — also called slab jacking or pressure grouting is the traditional method of lifting sunken concrete. A crew drills large holes (1½″ or more) through the slab and pumps a heavy slurry mixture of water, soil, sand, and cement beneath it. The pressure of the slurry is meant to raise the slab.
Mudjacking has been around since the 1930s. While it can work in some situations, it comes with significant drawbacks particularly in Central and South Florida's sandy, water-prone soils.
Mudjacking Drawbacks
- ✗ Heavy slurry adds more weight to already-weak soil
- ✗ Can shrink and wash out causing the concrete to re-settle
- ✗ Large drill holes are more visible and harder to patch cleanly
- ✗ 24–72 hour cure time before the area can be used
- ✗ Messy, slurry can ooze up through cracks
- ✗ Does not address the void; just fills it with heavy material
What is Poly Jacking?
Polyurethane foam lifting also called poly jacking, foam jacking, or concrete leveling with foam is the modern alternative to mudjacking. Instead of a heavy slurry, high-density polyurethane foam is injected through small, dime-sized holes beneath the slab.
The foam expands rapidly to fill voids, compact weak soil, and lift the concrete — then cures in minutes. It's lighter, cleaner, faster, and doesn't erode or wash out underground.
Poly Jacking Advantages
- ✓ Weighs 2 lbs/ft³ vs. 100+ lbs/ft³ for mudjacking slurry
- ✓ Ready to use in minutes not days
- ✓ Dime-sized holes patch nearly invisible
- ✓ Hydrophobic water won't erode it
- ✓ Does not shrink, crack, or wash out
- ✓ NSF-certified foam safe for use near water
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Poly Jacking (Foam) ✓ | Mudjacking (Old Method) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Extremely lightweight approx. 2 lbs per cubic foot | Very heavy 100+ lbs per cubic foot of slurry |
| Cure Time | Ready to use in minutes | Requires 24–72 hours to cure before use |
| Hole Size | Dime-sized holes (about ⅝″) | Large holes (1½″ or bigger) |
| Soil Impact | Expands to fill voids without adding soil load | Adds significant weight can worsen weak soil conditions |
| Longevity | Does not shrink, wash out, or deteriorate underground | Can shrink and wash out over time, causing re-settling |
| Water Resistance | Hydrophobic repels water, will not erode | Water-soluble slurry can wash away under the slab |
| Mess | Clean process. no pumping trucks or material overflow | Messy, slurry can ooze up through cracks |
| Cost | Typically 25–50% less than full replacement | Cheaper upfront than poly in some cases, but may need redoing |
Why Poly Jacking Wins in Central and South Florida
Central and South Florida's sandy soils and heavy rainfall make mudjacking a particularly risky choice. Here's why:
Sandy Soil
Central and South Florida's sandy subgrades are already prone to washout. Adding heavy mudjacking slurry puts more load on a weak base — a recipe for re-settling.
Heavy Rain & Flooding
Mudjacking slurry is water-soluble. Central and South Florida's rain and storm runoff can wash the material out from under the slab, defeating the repair within years.
Year-Round Use
Central and South Florida doesn't get an off-season. A 72-hour cure time for mudjacking means driveways, pool decks, and sidewalks are off-limits for days — poly jacking is done in hours.
Skip the Mud. Go with Foam.
Environmental Foam Solutions uses only high-density polyurethane foam the modern, longer-lasting alternative to mudjacking for every concrete lifting job in Central and South Florida.