Mudjacking & Concrete Leveling in Topeka, KS

Why Concrete Sinks Around Topeka Homes

Driveways, walks, patios and stoops next to a house are often poured over fill that was placed after the foundation was built. That fill keeps compacting for years. Storm water running off a roof or along the side of the house can also wash soil out from under a slab, and freezing winters loosen what is left. The slab loses its support, then drops or tilts.

A slab that tilts toward the house is more than a trip hazard. It sends rain straight to the foundation wall, which is how a sunken patio turns into a wet basement.

Mudjacking (Slabjacking)

Holes about the size of a large coin are drilled through the slab, and a cement-based slurry is pumped under it. As the space fills, the slab rises. The crew watches the lift and stops when the slab lines up with its neighbors, then patches the holes. Mudjacking is the lower-cost method and well suited to driveways and patios.

Foam Concrete Leveling (Polyjacking)

Foam leveling injects a two-part polyurethane that expands under the slab. The holes are smaller, the material weighs far less than slurry, and the slab is often ready to use the same day. It usually costs more per section.

Good Candidates for Concrete Leveling

• Driveway sections that dropped at the garage or the street
• Front walks and steps that pulled away from the house
• Patios that tilt toward the foundation
• Garage floors and pool decks that settled

Lifting is not the answer for concrete broken into many small pieces, crumbling on top, or heaved by roots. And if the slab is part of the house foundation, the fix is underneath it: see foundation piers and house leveling.

Public Sidewalks: Who Fixes What in Topeka

In Kansas, the owner of the property next to a sidewalk is responsible for keeping it in repair. If the owner does not, a city may repair it after giving notice and charge the cost to the property (K.S.A. 12-1808).

• Check with the city first. Work on a public sidewalk can need city approval. Ask the City of Topeka what applies before you hire anyone.
• Lift or replace? A public walk that sank in solid sections can often be leveled. One that is broken up may need to be replaced to city standards.
• Use a licensed contractor. All contractors working within the City of Topeka must be licensed by the City (City of Topeka).

Keep It From Sinking Again

Carry downspouts past the slab, correct the grading that sends water under it, and seal the joint between the slab and the house with a flexible sealant. Typical prices are in our guide to foundation repair cost in Topeka.

More Questions About Mudjacking & Concrete Leveling

Will the holes in my concrete show after mudjacking?

Yes, a little. The holes are filled with cement patch after the lift, so you will see a few round spots that are a slightly different shade from the old concrete. Foam leveling uses smaller holes, so the spots are smaller.

Can mudjacking fix a slab that is cracked?

It can lift a cracked slab if the pieces are large and still sound, and the crack can be sealed afterward. It cannot join broken concrete back together. A slab in many small pieces is usually better replaced.

Is foam or mudjacking better for a garage floor?

Both can work. Foam is lighter, so it adds less weight to soil that already settled, and it cures fast. Mudjacking usually costs less. Ask the contractor which they recommend for your soil and how soon you can park on it.

Can I lift a slab myself?

Not realistically. Lifting takes a pump, the right material and the experience to raise a slab evenly without cracking it. What you can do yourself is fix the cause: extend downspouts away from the slab and seal the joint where it meets the house.

Do I need a permit to level a driveway or sidewalk?

Inside Topeka city limits, permits and contractor licenses go through the City of Topeka Development Services division. Outside the city, in places like Tecumseh, Auburn or Carbondale, a county or town office applies instead. Work on a public sidewalk or in the right-of-way can follow different rules than work on your own driveway, so ask before it starts and put the answer in the contract.