What Is Concrete Lifting?
Concrete lifting is the process of raising settled, sunken, or uneven concrete slabs back to their original elevation. Material is injected beneath the slab — either a cement-based slurry (mudjacking) or expanding polyurethane foam — which fills voids and lifts the concrete from below.
Concrete lifting is an alternative to full replacement. Instead of demolishing and repouring, the existing slab is raised and stabilized, saving 50-70% of the cost and avoiding the mess and downtime of replacement.
Why Concrete Settles
Concrete settles when the soil beneath it compacts, erodes, or shifts. In Minneapolis, the primary cause is freeze-thaw cycles — water seeps beneath slabs, freezes and expands, then thaws and leaves voids. Poor drainage, soil compaction issues, and erosion also contribute.
Concrete Lifting Methods
Mudjacking
Pumps a limestone-cement slurry beneath the slab through 1-2 inch holes. Cost-effective for larger areas. Learn more about mudjacking →
Polyurethane Foam Injection
Injects expanding foam through 5/8 inch holes. Lightweight, fast-curing (15 minutes), and hydrophobic. Learn more about polyurethane foam →
Compare both methods in our mudjacking vs. polyurethane foam guide.
Common Applications
- Driveways — lift sunken or sloping driveway slabs
- Sidewalks — eliminate trip hazards on walkways
- Patios — raise settled patio and pool deck slabs
- Garage floors — level sinking garage slabs
- Steps and stoops — raise settled entryway concrete
- Commercial slabs — warehouse floors, parking lots, ADA ramps
Cost Factors
The cost of concrete lifting depends on the size of the area, the amount of settlement, the method used, and site accessibility. See our concrete leveling cost guide for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both refer to the process of raising settled concrete by injecting material beneath the slab. "Leveling" emphasizes the result — a level surface — while "lifting" emphasizes the action of raising the slab.
Most residential projects are completed in 2-4 hours. Polyurethane foam sets in 15 minutes, so the surface is usable the same day. Mudjacking requires 24-48 hours before heavy use.