You’ve got some problematic concrete around your home and are weighing your options. Would mud jacking work, or would replacing the concrete be better for you? You probably need more info on each to compare the two and a little help to make this decision. You might even want to know if there are any other options out there to consider in your case.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we understand that homeowners (and businesses) have tough choices when it comes to repairs. We want to give you all the information you need to make an educated and informed decision that works best for you. We do mud jacking all the time and can tell you when it’s a good option for your concrete flatwork and when it’s not.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the mud jacking and concrete replacement options and then help compare the two with pros and cons. We’ll end with some guidance to help you decide which option is the best for your situation and offer alternatives in case neither will do.
What Kind of Concrete Are We Talking About?
Just to clarify, the kind of concrete we are referring to here is exterior flatwork. Described as smooth concrete surfaces poured flat and at a shallow depth along a horizontal plane. Exterior flatwork includes things like driveways, sidewalks, patios, and pool decks. We’re not talking about slab-on-grade foundations or anything with significant ground-penetrating support.
These flatwork surfaces may be sunken, high on one side and low on another, or the panels may not align properly with adjacent panels. This causes tripping hazards, safety and liability issues, an unpleasant appearance, or poor drainage and functionality of your concrete.
You want these problem concrete surfaces fixed and can’t decide if you have to replace it all or if mud jacking will work for you.
About Mud Jacking (Process, Cost, Pros and Cons)
Mud jacking is a simple way to lift sunken concrete, like driveways and sidewalks, without having to tear them out and start over. Small holes (about 2” in diameter) are drilled into the slab, and a thick, mud-like mixture (aka slurry) gets pumped underneath to push the concrete up and back into place. The holes are then patched with fresh concrete.
Mud jacking is a fast process that usually takes just a few hours or a couple of days for a very large project, and you can walk on it right away. However, your concrete surface will show evidence of the repair due to the patched holes.
Mud jacking is also easier on your wallet compared to replacing concrete. Small jobs might cost around $800, while average projects involving a few driveway panels could be closer to $2,700 — still way cheaper than a full replacement.
The pros? It’s affordable, quick, and saves your property and parking situation from a big mess.
The cons? Mud jacking isn’t a good fix if your concrete is badly cracked, crumbling, or super old. It’s not an appropriate method to use for heavier things like foundations or pools. Also, the patched holes of fresh concrete will not likely match with the rest of the existing surface.
About Concrete Replacement (Process, Cost, Pros and Cons)
Concrete replacement is the go-to solution when your flatwork is beyond repair—think major cracks, crumbling edges, or surfaces that are too far gone. The concrete replacement process involves breaking up and removing the old concrete, prepping the area, and pouring brand-new flatwork. It’s a fresh start for your driveway, patio, or walkway.
While it gives you a clean, new surface, concrete replacement comes with higher costs and more disruption. It’s a bigger project that takes more time and labor. You’ll need to find alternative parking or ways to enter and exit your home, plus wait for the new concrete to cure before using it, which can be inconvenient and take several weeks’ time.
Current costs in our area for removal and replacement are running somewhere between $8 – $12 per square foot. So for a nice 2-car width driveway with a length that also allows 2 cars to fit one behind the other, you’re talking about 24 feet wide by maybe 45 feet long for a smaller typical driveway, which comes out to somewhere between $8,600 and $13,000.
That’s just if it’s a simple driveway with easy access in front of your house. Costs go up as accessibility goes down. The crew has more to do in order to reach something behind your home (like a patio), rather than in front.
The pros? You get a brand-new, consistent, and smooth surface that can last for decades. It’s the best option when the existing concrete is too damaged for repairs or it’s very important for all the concrete to match in color and finish.
The cons? It’s more expensive and time-consuming than methods like mud jacking. Plus, the process can be messy and disruptive to your daily routine with inaccessible areas for much longer time spans.
Deciding If Mud Jacking or Concrete Replacement Is Best
The best option for you involves evaluating your wants/needs when it comes to cost, looks, downtime, and other desired outcomes. Whatever you choose:
- The price needs to match your budget,
- The finished shape and appearance need to be acceptable, and
- The time you are unable to use the area needs to be workable.
If you’re looking for something more economical to handle tripping hazards and uneven areas that is fast with little downtime, and you don’t care if there are a few circles of new concrete from the patched holes, then mud jacking will be a better choice for you.
If you have plenty of money and don’t care how much it costs, how long it takes, or about prolonged inaccessiblity to concrete areas, but care very much about all of your concrete matching and looking perfect, then concrete replacement is what you need to go with. Also, this is your only choice if you want to alter the final shape of your flatwork.
Other Options to Address Concrete Issues
Besides mud jacking and concrete replacement, you do have a couple of other options to handle your sunken concrete surfaces. So if neither of these sounds good to you at the moment, you could also consider:
- Doing Nothing or Next to Nothing – Avoid or ignore the area, hide or cover the faulty concrete creatively with rugs or potted plants, or put a paint line or eye-catching tape to call attention to any tripping hazards so that people can avoid them.
- Grinding Down High-Spots – Using a concrete grinder to eliminate the tripping hazards is fairly easy and inexpensive, the process is noisy, and the results are somewhat unattractive.
- Use Polyjacking Instead – Polyjacking is a concrete-raising alternative to mud jacking, it has a similar process and effects, but differing costs and materials.
- Remove and Replace Only Small Sections – Cut out small strips where concrete panels meet unevenly with tripping hazards, replace only the strips, and keep the rest.
All of these options come with their own processes, costs, and pros and cons too. Some are respectable options while some are frankly kinda janky. You also have to find someone willing to do the work if it’s not something you can DIY.
Think Mud Jacking Will Work For You?
Now you know way more about the options of mud jacking and concrete replacement, as well as some additional alternatives. Do you think mud jacking is your best bet, matching your budget and desired outcomes?
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we know that replacing concrete is often undesirable due to higher costs and inconvenience. We’re happy to have helped countless homeowners, investors, businesses, and even schools fix their sunken concrete problems with mud jacking throughout our 40+ years in business.
If you’re ready to find out how much it costs to fix your concrete problem, we do FREE estimates for mud jacking. Snap a few photos of your concrete issue with your phone and reach out today using our easy online contact form available 24/7.