Mudjacking vs Polyjacking vs Slab Replacement Cost 2026

The Traditional Slurry-Pumping Approach

Mudjacking has been the standard concrete slab lifting technique since the 1930s. The process: the contractor drills 1.5-inch holes through the slab in a grid pattern (typically every 4 to 6 feet across the slab area). A specialised pump injects a slurry of soil, Portland cement, and water through the holes into the void beneath the slab. As the slurry fills the voids and builds up, hydraulic pressure lifts the slab back to grade. After the slab is at the correct elevation, the contractor caps the holes with concrete patches and the slurry cures in place over 24 to 48 hours.

The cost advantage of mudjacking is meaningful: $3 to $7 per square foot installed, which is 50 to 75 percent cheaper than full slab replacement. The work completes in 1 to 2 days versus 1 to 2 weeks for replacement. The slab is usable immediately after the holes are patched. For a 400 sq ft driveway slab with 2 to 3 inches of settlement, mudjacking costs $1,200 to $2,800 versus $4,000 to $7,200 for replacement.

The disadvantages: the slurry weighs roughly 100 to 110 lb per cubic foot, adding significant load to the sub-grade. If the underlying cause of settlement was poorly-compacted soil, the additional slurry weight accelerates further settlement. Most mudjacking projects need re-lifting within 5 to 10 years. The slurry also creates a permanent layer of harder material beneath the slab that complicates future replacement work; eventually replacing a mudjacked slab is more expensive than replacing one that has never been lifted.

The Modern Polyurethane Foam Alternative

Polyjacking (also called "polyfoam injection" or "PolyLevel" after one of the major brand names) has gained market share since the early 2000s. The process is similar to mudjacking but uses high-density polyurethane foam instead of soil-cement slurry. Smaller 5/8-inch holes (versus 1.5-inch for mudjacking), foam injected through the holes, foam expands chemically and lifts the slab. The foam reaches full strength in 15 minutes versus 24 to 48 hours for mudjacking slurry, allowing immediate use.

The major advantage of polyjacking over mudjacking is the dramatically lower added weight to the sub-grade. Polyurethane foam weighs 2 to 4 lb per cubic foot fully cured, versus 100+ lb per cubic foot for mudjacking slurry. The lighter material does not accelerate further sub-grade settlement, so polyjacking typically lasts 10 to 20 years versus mudjacking's 5 to 10 years. The smaller injection holes are also less visible after patching, which matters for visible slabs (front-entry walkways, decorative patios).

The cost premium over mudjacking is meaningful: $7 to $15 per sq ft versus $3 to $7 per sq ft. The premium reflects the more expensive foam material (specialised polyurethane chemistry costs significantly more per cubic foot than soil-cement slurry) and the proprietary equipment required (most polyjacking is done by franchised contractors operating with brand-specific equipment). For a 400 sq ft project, polyjacking costs $2,800 to $6,000 versus $1,200 to $2,800 for mudjacking. The cost-per-year-of-service is roughly comparable (polyjacking lasts twice as long), but the upfront cost difference is significant.

When Replacement Is the Only Real Option

Slab replacement (removal of the existing slab plus pour of a new one) is the most expensive option at $10 to $18 per sq ft, but is the only durable solution for several specific conditions. First, when the slab itself is structurally cracked (cracks greater than 1/4 inch wide, propagating across multiple control joints). Lifting a structurally-cracked slab makes the cracks worse and does not address the underlying capacity problem. Second, when settlement exceeds 4 inches, which is beyond the reliable lifting range of both mudjacking and polyjacking. Third, when the original spec was inadequate for the use (wire mesh under vehicle loads, 4-inch under heavy equipment); the new pour can spec the correct reinforcement.

Replacement also makes sense when the sub-grade problem cannot be fixed by lifting alone. Expansive-soil regions where the slab keeps moving with seasonal soil cycles require replacement plus engineered spec (post-tensioning, deeper footings, sub-grade replacement). Sites with significant erosion or water intrusion under the slab require fixing the drainage problem first, which usually means removing the slab to access the sub-grade. In these cases, mudjacking or polyjacking just buys 5 to 10 years before the same problem re-emerges and replacement becomes inevitable anyway.

The total cost-of-ownership analysis often favours replacement even when mudjacking or polyjacking is technically feasible. A $1,500 mudjacking project that needs re-lifting in 7 years costs $3,000 over 7 years. A $4,000 polyjacking project that needs replacement in 15 years costs $4,000 plus a $7,000 replacement, or $11,000 over 15 years. A $5,500 replacement project that lasts 35 years costs $5,500 over 35 years, or $157 per year. Annualised, replacement is often the cheapest option for slabs that need to function long-term. The removal and replacement cost page has the detailed cost breakdown.

Which Option for Which Situation

The right choice depends heavily on the specific situation. For typical residential driveway or patio settlement on stable soil, polyjacking is often the best balance of cost and durability. For older slabs scheduled for replacement within 5 to 10 years anyway, mudjacking buys time at the lowest cost. For any situation involving structural problems, expansive soils, or fundamental capacity issues, replacement is the only durable answer.

How to Evaluate Contractor Recommendations

The contractor's recommendation usually matches the work they specialise in. Mudjacking contractors recommend mudjacking. Polyjacking franchise operators recommend polyjacking. General concrete contractors recommend replacement. None of these are necessarily wrong, but each is biased toward the contractor's revenue. For an honest answer, get quotes from at least three different specialty contractors covering all three options, plus one general concrete contractor.

Questions to ask each contractor: What is the root cause of the settlement? (If they cannot explain it convincingly, they are guessing.) How long do you expect your fix to last? (Get a specific number, written into the bid.) What is your warranty? (Mudjacking should warrant 1 to 2 years; polyjacking 5 to 10 years; replacement 1 to 5 years with longer manufacturer warranties on materials.) What happens if your fix fails? (The warranty terms should specify whether failure means a re-do at no charge, a re-do at credit toward the next option up, or full refund.)

Red flags: contractors who recommend their preferred option without examining the site, contractors who cannot explain the root cause, contractors who push for immediate decision rather than allowing time for evaluation, contractors with no written warranty or with warranty terms that are difficult to enforce. The repair work is paid upfront and the warranty is your only protection if the fix fails; a vague or unenforceable warranty means the contractor knows their fix might not last. Get three honest quotes, ask hard questions, and choose based on the cost-per-year-of-expected-service rather than the headline price.

Frequently Asked