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Repair or replace concrete
Lift and level a slab that has settled but is otherwise sound. Replace one that is breaking up. Lifting only corrects elevation, so find out which problem you have before pricing either.
There are really two different problems here: a slab in the wrong place, and a slab that is coming apart. One is a lifting job. The other is a tear-out. Find out which problem you have before pricing either.
1Lift or replace at a glance
| Factor | Lift and level (mudjacking or foam) | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| What it fixes | Elevation only | Elevation, surface and structure |
| Right for | Settled but otherwise sound slabs | Spalling, full-depth cracking across panels, failed subgrade |
| Cost | A fraction of replacement | The expensive option |
| Time | Hours | Days, plus curing time |
| Won’t fix | A slab that is breaking up | A drainage problem that isn’t addressed during the job |
2How to tell which problem you have
- Check the surfaceFlaking or scaling on top is spalling. Lifting won’t help it. See spalling surface flaking off.
- Follow the cracksA crack in one panel is common. Cracking that is full depth across multiple panels points to replacement. See cracks radiating from a corner.
- Look at the edges and jointsA panel that has dropped as one piece, with straight edges and no breakup, is a lifting candidate. See driveway settling near the garage.
- Watch where water goesPooling and washout under the edges suggest the subgrade is going. See water pooling on the drive after rain.
3Making the call
Lift and level
- The slab settled but is otherwise sound
- It moved as one piece
- The surface is intact
- You need it usable the same day
Replace
- The surface is spalling
- Cracking is full depth across multiple panels
- The subgrade has failed
- Roots keep lifting the same section
If roots are the cause, lifting won’t last. See tree roots lifting a section. Joints packed with debris let water under the slab, so clean them either way. See expansion joints filled with debris.
4If you’re replacing
A replacement quote should say what goes under the new slab and what goes in it. If reinforcement isn’t named, ask for it in writing. See rebar or mesh unclear in the quote. Weather on pour day matters too. See pour scheduled in extreme heat.
A slab that settled because water is washing out the base will settle again, lifted or replaced. Fix the drainage as part of the job.
Talk to a local concrete contractor and ask them to tell you, in writing, whether the slab is a lifting job or a replacement.
877-360-46575Questions
Is mudjacking or foam lifting worth it?
On a settled but sound slab, yes. It costs a fraction of replacement and takes hours rather than days.
Can lifting fix a cracked slab?
It can bring cracked pieces back to level, but it does not fix a slab that is breaking up. It only corrects elevation.
When is replacement the only option?
When the surface is spalling, when cracking is full depth across multiple panels, or when the subgrade has failed.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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