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Decision Guide·Methods compared

Mudjacking vs Polyurethane Foam — Which Is Better?

The two ways to lift sunken concrete, compared on cost, weight, cure time and how each behaves on wet Louisiana clay.

By Foundation Repair Baton Rouge · Published · Updated

Both work; the better choice depends on the job. Mudjacking costs about $4–$9 per square foot and fills big voids well. Polyurethane foam costs about $8–$25 per square foot but weighs a few pounds per cubic foot instead of about 100, uses 5/8-inch holes, and cures in minutes — often better on Baton Rouge’s soft, wet clay.

Foundation Repair Baton Rouge offers both, because each wins in different situations.

Side by side

MudjackingPolyurethane foam
MaterialCement-based slurryExpanding two-part polyurethane
Cost$4–$9 / sq ft$8–$25 / sq ft
Weight~100 lb per cubic footA few lb per cubic foot
Hole size~1–2 in~5/8 in
Cure time~24 hours~15 minutes
Water resistanceCan erode over timeWaterproof
Best forLarge voids, budget jobsSoft or wet soil, quick return to use

Source: HomeGuide 2026 mudjacking and polyjacking data.

Why weight matters in Baton Rouge

A lot of sunken flatwork here sits on soft, wet clay. Pumping 100-pound-per-cubic-foot slurry under a slab adds load to the soil that already failed. Lightweight foam adds almost none. On a driveway that sank next to the garage over poorly compacted backfill, that difference can decide whether the lift holds.

When mudjacking still wins

On a large void under a low-traffic walk or patio where the soil underneath is reasonably firm, mudjacking’s lower material cost makes it good value. It’s also a proven, decades-old method with predictable results.

What matters more than the material

Water. Almost every sunken slab we lift in Baton Rouge had water washing out its base — a downspout, sprinkler or yard runoff. Seal the joints and move the water, or either material will be lifting the same panel again. See concrete leveling and mudjacking cost.

Bottom line

Foam for soft, wet ground and fast turnaround; mudjacking for big voids on a budget. For a recommendation and price, call Foundation Repair Baton Rouge.

Questions about your house? Call Foundation Repair Baton Rouge.

(225) 635-8757

Quick answers

Is polyjacking better than mudjacking?

Foam weighs much less, uses smaller holes and cures in minutes, which makes it the better choice on soft, wet soil and where you need the surface back quickly. Mudjacking costs less and fills large voids well.

How long does polyurethane foam jacking last?

Foam doesn't wash out or break down in soil, so the lift lasts as long as the soil beneath stays stable — which depends mostly on controlling water.

Does mudjacking really work?

Yes. It's been used for decades. Its main drawbacks are larger holes and the added weight of the slurry on soft soil.
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