Mudjacking in Wichita

How mudjacking works

The crew starts by looking at how the slab dropped and where the void underneath is likely to be. Then they drill a pattern of holes through the sunken section, usually around an inch and a half to two inches across.

A pump pushes a slurry of water, soil or sand, and cement through the holes. The slurry fills the empty space first. Once the void is full, more slurry builds pressure under the slab and raises it. The operator moves from hole to hole, lifting a little at a time so the slab comes up evenly instead of cracking.

When the slab lines up with the concrete around it, the holes are packed and patched with a cement mix.

• Time on site: a few hours for most residential jobs.
• Walking on it: usually right away.
• Driving on it: most crews ask you to wait about a day while the slurry firms up.
• Holes: larger than foam, so the patches are easier to spot up close.

Where mudjacking is a good fit

Mudjacking does its best work on outdoor flatwork with a clear void underneath and a budget that matters. That covers a lot of Wichita jobs.

• Driveway panels that dropped where they meet the garage or the street.
• Sidewalk sections that have become a trip hazard, including ones the city has flagged. If you got a letter, see what a Wichita sidewalk repair notice means.
• Patios that tipped back toward the house.
• Porch steps that settled away from the front door.

Where foam is the better choice

The slurry is heavy, and that weight sits on the same soil that let the slab down in the first place. On firm ground that does not matter much. On soft or wet ground, or on a slab over a deep void, the lighter material usually lasts longer.

Foam lifting tends to be the better call for garage floors and interior slabs where large holes are unwelcome, pool decks, slabs near foundations or utilities, and any job where you need to drive on the concrete the same day.

For a side by side of the two methods and what each source claims, see mudjacking vs foam lifting.

What mudjacking costs

Mudjacking is the lower-cost of the two methods. HomeGuide's national cost data puts it at roughly $4 to $9 per square foot, and most contractors charge a minimum of a few hundred dollars for small jobs. A section of driveway around 200 square feet typically lands between $800 and $1,800.

Our cost page goes through what moves the price up or down.

Cost ranges: HomeGuide, Concrete Leveling Cost. National figures; your estimate depends on the slab.

Choosing a mudjacking contractor in Wichita

Most mudjacking jobs are small, so the estimate visit is where you learn the most. A few questions sort out who knows the work:

• What made it sink? A good contractor looks at downspouts, grading and joints before talking about the lift, and tells you what to fix so the slab stays up.
• How many holes, and how big? Mudjacking holes run about an inch and a half to two inches. Ask where they will go and how they get patched.
• Would foam be better here? On soft ground, a deep void or a slab you need to drive on the same day, the answer can be yes. Someone who offers both methods can tell you which fits.
• Is a permit needed? Wichita City Code chapter 10.12 requires a city engineer license and a permit to build or replace a public sidewalk, curb or drive approach in the right of way. The code does not mention leveling, so for a sidewalk ask the city, and for a private driveway or patio ask the contractor.
• What does the written estimate cover? It should name each section to be raised and the price, so you can compare quotes line by line.

Permit rules: Wichita City Code ch. 10.12, summarized on the cost page. Calls from this site go to one independent contractor; see how this works.

Where we work

We take calls from across Wichita and the surrounding towns in Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey counties.

• Wichita
• Derby
• Andover
• Haysville
• Maize
• Park City
• Bel Aire
• Valley Center
• Goddard
• Mulvane
• Augusta
• El Dorado
• Newton