Expertise: Mud Jacking

For those who may be unfamiliar, mud jacking is a process that raises and levels sunken concrete that is in fairly good condition otherwise. Whether that be for a driveway, patio, pool deck, sidewalk, porch, steps or other concrete surfaces, mud jacking helps eliminate the need for replacement, saving homeowners precious dollars.

We spoke with Mike Longo—better known as The Mud Jacking Guy—to get some insight into the process and its advantages.

How does the mud jacking process actually work?
Our tagline is, "We raise sunken concrete," and we do that by drilling holes into the existing concrete and we pump mud slurry into those holes. And the hydraulic pressure of our material going underneath the concrete forces it to come back level.

It could take anywhere from an hour to eight hours, so we generally finish the job in one day, unless it's an apartment complex or something like that. You can use the concrete for foot traffic as soon as we're done. However, if it's a road or a driveway where a vehicle is traveling over, we ask that you wait 12 hours before you use it.

What are some common signs that a homeowner or business should consider mud jacking versus a full concrete replacement?
As long as the concrete is in good order, in other words there's not too many cracks or it's too thin, we can raise it. Anytime you see a trip hazard, a change in elevation across the sidewalk or a pool deck, that's when we can come in and do our magic.

One of the biggest concerns people have is cost. How cost-effective can mud jacking be?
With regard to concrete, mud jacking is about half the cost of replacing it. And there are no building permits required and the return to service is quick.

Now, if you're dealing with stamped concrete or exposed aggregate, mud jacking is about a third of the replacement cost comparatively.

What are the main benefits of choosing mud jacking over replacing concrete?
So there's always the issue of matching the color of the concrete, and if it's stained concrete you'll never get that same coloration. Because we're preserving the existing concrete it'll match what is next to it. There are also environmental benefits, and if you are trying to do a renovation and work within the LEED parameters, you get points for not removing and replacing the concrete.

Tell us a little about what sets your company apart from others in the industry.
We are the oldest privately owned mud jacking contractor in New Jersey. We've been doing this for 20 years and have hundreds of jobs under our belt.

If an insurance company, a mortgage company or a code official is asking a homeowner or a business owner to fix their concrete and get rid of trip hazards, you know we really are the best solution to solving those problems.

The Mud Jacking Guy
Chesilhurst, N.J.
(856) 767-2269
TheMudJackingGuy.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 12 (March/April 2026)
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