Concrete leveling is not an easy task. Nowadays, many people try to make it a DIY task due to two main reasons. The first one is they want to save money, and the other one is YouTube provides detailed information about everything, including the process of leveling concrete. This article will explain how you can lift your concrete surfaces without professional help and whether you should do this procedure yourself or not.
Why does the Concrete Sink?
During the construction of your house, contractors compress the soil under the concrete surface. Failure to compact the soil can cause the concrete surfaces to sink in the future. The pressure exerted by the cement slab compresses the underlying soil. The result is a hollow slab. The problem usually occurs in areas like below:
- Patios
- Driveways
- Garage slabs
- Sidewalks
Therefore, the soil must be compressed by filling the spaces with granular particles like inorganic sand.
How can you prevent Concrete Sinking?
Follow some simple tips to prevent the concrete surfaces in your home from sinking.
- Seal the openings
Fill all openings and cracks near the concrete surface using:
- Polyurethane foam
- Silicone caulk
Use a backer rod to fill larger openings and place the sealant on top.
- Do not let water slip below the slab.
Fill any openings around the slab to ensure the water doesn’t seep through them.
- Keep downspouts away
Shift the existing downspouts approximately five feet away from your concrete surface. Install the new downspouts as far as possible.
- Compact the soil
While constructing new concrete, add at least 4 inches of gravel in the soil. Ensure the base does not move by stomping your feet.
Can you DIY Concrete Leveling?
Yes, you can level the sunken concrete surfaces yourself if you have adequate knowledge and necessary equipment. However, concrete leveling is a daunting task that requires expertise. In addition, finding the right equipment is also difficult. Therefore, we recommend you preferably hire professionals to level the concrete surfaces instead of doing it yourself.
Mudjacking Process of DIYers
If you’re still planning to DIY mudjacking, we will guide you through the process, but first, look at the equipment you will need for the process.
Mudjacking Equipment
- Hydraulic Pump:
The hydraulic slurry pump pushes the slurry into the cracks beneath the concrete. It is also known as a hydraulic grout pump. These pumps are not easily available, and you probably hire one for rent.
- Drill Machine:
You can use a drilling machine like:
- A hammer drill
- Concrete core drill
For drilling holes in the concrete surface. A hammer drill hammers and rotates simultaneously, facilitating intrusion into hard surfaces. A concrete core drill possesses a diamond core bit, and its working is similar to the drill press.
- Mudjacking Slurry
Create your slurry or purchase a pre-prepared mudjacking compound from the market and mix it with water slurry. However, be careful while using Portland cement. It dries quickly, leaving a very short duration for performing the task.
Step-by-Step Mudjacking Process
While performing the slabjacking process yourself, you have to follow similar steps as followed by the professionals. You have to be precise to avoid:
- Damaging the slab
- Over lifting the surface
Step 1: Thorough inspection
The first step in DIY slab jacking is thoroughly examining the surface to be lifted. This evaluation will help you determine the following:
- Position of drill holes
- Number of holes you need to drill
- Amount of slurry required
Estimate the depth of the void by drilling a hole into the surface and measuring it. It will help you determine how much mudjacking slurry you need for the process.
Step 2: Drilling holes
Next, you have to drill holes to pump the slurry. Typically, drill holes are 1.5 – 2.5 inches in diameter. However, when you are working yourself, you can adjust the hole diameter by controlling the pressure exerted by the hydraulic pump.
Step 3: Make the slurry
After drilling holes, prepare the slurry to pump through them to fill the voids. Mix the following ingredients.
- Portland cement / Cement
- Clay
- Crushed Limestone
- Water
You can also purchase a pre-prepared conjugated mudjacking compound from the market and mix it with water to prepare the slurry. Adjust the consistency of the slurry. It should be:
- Thin enough to pass through the holes, and
- Thick enough to exert ample pressure for lifting the slab.
Step 4: Inject the slurry
Following this, inject the slurry into the holes using a hydraulic pump. Be careful, apply moderate pressure, and avoid material leaking. Inject the material slowly, as you can always add in more material but cannot take out the slurry that has once been injected. Secure the nozzle in place by placing your foot over it.
Once the surface is lifted to its original position, remove the nozzle. Move around the hole several times to ensure the surface has been leveled properly.
Step 5: Cut the overlapping slabs
Sometimes, the slabs overlap after being lifted. In this case, you’ll need to cut the portion of one slab that is overlapping the other slab using a saw. But again, this step is critical, and only an experienced person can do it.
Step 6: Final touches
Lastly, patch up the holes you drilled with a grout that does not shrink and resembles in appearance to the concrete surface. You can use sand to blend the patched holes with your concrete surface. Finally, examine if you have properly sealed all the holes.
Pros and Cons of DIY Mudjacking
Pros:
Some benefits of DIY slab jacking include:
- Pocket Friendly: DIY mudjacking saves you the cost of hiring professionals to accomplish this task.
- Customized Hole Size: Although the standard hole size in professional mudjacking is 2 inches, you can adjust it according to the requirements in the DIY process.
Cons:
Apart from the benefits, there are numerous drawbacks as well. Some of these drawbacks are listed below:
- Slab Cracking: If you are unprofessional, you might apply extra pressure while drilling, causing the concrete surface to crack.
- Incomplete Filing: Filing the voids completely is a difficult task, even for professionals. You might not fill the gaps, still leaving the cracks behind.
- Overlifting: You might fail to control the pressure and speed of the hydraulic pump. Therefore, you might end up over-lifting the slab.
- Tricky: Estimating how much the slab has moved can be a bit difficult as you stand on the nozzle of the pump’s hose.
Conclusion
Sometimes, the concrete surfaces sink or get damaged over time. Such concrete surfaces can be lifted through the process of mudjacking. Although it is better to seek professional help for this task, you can also do it yourself to save money.
