Occasionally a concrete slab can sink due to a variety of reasons, usually due to settling. A
process known as “slab jacking” or “mudjacking” is used to level a concrete slab or foundation.
The cost of leveling a slab costs an average of $3 to $25 per square foot, but it all depends on
the size of the area to level, the materials used, and the labor involved.
Foam leveling has an average cost of $2,000 to $2,500 for a 100 square foot slab, while
mudjacking costs less at around $300 to $800 for the same size slab. Larger slabs and more
invasive lifts may have higher costs.
A new slab might be a good option, but the cost of repair will likely be significantly less. The
price of hauling away the old slab could cost as much as leveling it, with costs averaging $32
to $40 per ton just for disposal.
Concrete leveling is less expensive, more convenient, and could give you a finished product in
less than half time that is almost as good. Keep in mind that slabs that make up basements or
other areas aren’t always good candidates for replacement without needing to raise or lift the
structure on them, which has its own costs.
Granted, you might need to fill the cracks, sand, and polish the leveled slab, but you would
have to do some finishing for a new slab anyway. Many homeowners are even getting creative with
concrete slabs by using epoxy and other finishing products to make their slab look impressive
without going to the expense of floor covering.
Depending on your budget and what the leveled slab will get used for, leveling is an equally good option and cheaper than new.
This option gets used primarily for small sections of slab that have cracks or a small amount of
sagging. This option is the cheapest method of leveling a concrete slab. New concrete gets
poured over the surface, filling in the areas of depression and cracking and, when finished,
looks the same as a new slab.
However, this process will not affect the footing around load-bearing walls, so if those are
sagging, the settlement will continue unless the walls are lifted and reinforced.
Self-leveling uses a polymer compound that costs about $3 to $5 per square foot, on average.
Depending on how much work is involved, the contractor will usually charge a flat rate for
labor; typically two or three times what the materials cost.
Therefore, a 10′ x 10′ slab or 100 per square foot slab will cost an average of $300 to $500 in
total.
Mudjacking uses a process of drilling one or two-inch holes into the concrete and injecting
concrete mix underneath to lift the slab and level it.[1] It can be used to raise any size slab
and will even lift load-bearing walls somewhat. However, the effect may only be temporary,
depending on the soil.
The settlement will continue if the soil underneath is not strong, and weather conditions during
freezing and thawing will cause heaving and expedite settlement. Foam jacking is the preferred
method when load-bearing walls need leveling.
Mudjacking uses a compound of concrete mix and pond sand to fill the holes drilled. This process
generally costs $3 to $8 per square foot in total.