Mudjacking Spruce Grove

As professionals at meritconcrete.ca, we have spent over 15 years restoring sunken, settled, and uneven concrete across Edmonton and Central Alberta, including Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc, and Camrose. Mudjacking in Spruce Grove is one of the most cost-effective solutions available when concrete slabs begin to sink due to soil erosion, frost heave, or poor compaction beneath the surface. Mudjacking, also known as slab jacking, is the process of pumping a slurry material beneath a sunken concrete slab to fill voids, stabilize the base, and restore the slab to its original level position. This guide walks you through exactly how the process works, what to expect on the day of service, and how to verify a quality result - so you can make a confident, informed decision for your property.

Step 1: Assess the Settled Concrete and Confirm Mudjacking Is the Right Solution

Before any drilling or pumping begins, a qualified technician must perform a thorough site assessment. At Merit Home Services, our crew evaluates the degree of settlement, the condition of the existing slab, and the likely cause of the sinking. Concrete that is cracked beyond structural integrity, severely spalled, or heaved due to tree root intrusion may not be a suitable candidate for mudjacking. However, slabs that have settled due to soil washout or compaction failure - which accounts for the vast majority of cases we see across Spruce Grove and the surrounding region - are excellent candidates.

During this assessment, the technician will probe the perimeter of the slab, check for hollow spots by tapping the surface, and measure the elevation difference using a level. A standard rule in the industry is that slabs settled more than 4 to 6 inches may require additional engineering review, while those settled under that threshold are routinely restored through mudjacking. Documenting the initial state with photos is a best practice we always recommend, as it gives you a clear before-and-after reference and protects both the contractor and the homeowner.

Step 2: Drill Injection Ports and Pump the Cementitious Grout Beneath the Slab

Once the assessment confirms mudjacking is appropriate, the crew drills a series of small injection holes - typically 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter - through the concrete slab at strategic intervals. The number and placement of these ports depends on the size of the slab and the location of the voids underneath. Standard port spacing is generally every 4 to 6 feet along the settled area, with additional ports placed near edges and corners where voids are most common.

This is where our approach at meritconcrete.ca differs from many competitors in the Mudjacking Spruce Grove market. Rather than relying on traditional polyurethane foam, we use a proprietary cementitious grout mixture that delivers 4 to 5 times the holding power of foam-based alternatives. The grout is pumped under controlled hydraulic pressure, flowing into voids and lifting the slab gradually and evenly. Our technicians monitor the lift rate continuously - raising a slab too quickly can cause cracking, so the standard practice is to lift in increments of roughly 1/4 inch at a time, pausing between pumps to allow the material to distribute. Because the cementitious grout hardens into a dense, load-bearing mass rather than a compressible foam cell, the result is a stable, long-lasting base that resists future settlement far more effectively.

Step 3: Patch the Injection Ports, Cure the Surface, and Inspect the Final Grade

After the slab has been raised to its correct elevation, the injection ports are patched using a cement-based repair mortar that is matched as closely as possible to the existing concrete finish. While the patches will remain slightly visible - this is normal and expected with any mudjacking repair - they are structurally sound and weather-resistant. Property owners throughout Central Alberta, from Spruce Grove to Camrose, should allow the patch material a minimum of 24 to 48 hours to cure before resuming normal foot traffic, and 72 hours before allowing vehicle loads onto a repaired driveway slab.

The final step is a post-lift inspection, which every reputable contractor should perform before leaving the site. This includes:

• Re-checking the elevation at multiple points along the slab using a 4-foot or 6-foot level to confirm uniform lift
• Inspecting all injection port patches for full fill and surface integrity
• Verifying that drainage has not been compromised - the slab should slope away from the foundation at a minimum of 1/8 inch per foot
• Confirming that any existing cracks have not widened during the lift, and documenting their current condition
• Walking the homeowner through the repair and providing guidance on maintenance practices to extend the life of the repair

A properly completed mudjacking job in Spruce Grove should restore a settled slab to within 3/8 of an inch of its original position, which meets standard industry tolerances for residential concrete lifting. If your contractor cannot demonstrate that level of precision, it is worth asking questions before signing off on the work. At Merit Home Services, our post-lift inspection is always included as part of the service - not an add-on.

Homeowners who address settled concrete promptly rather than waiting until the slab deteriorates further will almost always spend significantly less. Replacing a standard two-car driveway in Central Alberta can cost between $8,000 and $15,000 or more, while mudjacking in Spruce Grove for the same driveway typically runs a fraction of that figure and can be completed in a single day. Because the cementitious grout we use at meritconcrete.ca bonds with the existing subgrade and resists moisture infiltration, it also reduces the risk of repeat settlement compared to foam alternatives that can degrade over time when exposed to the freeze-thaw cycles that are a daily reality across Edmonton and Central Alberta.

• Increased liability due to “known” tripping hazards left uncorrected
• Ill-timed financial expenditures due to water damage
• Reduced property values