1. Use Mudjacking to Lift a Sunken Driveway

The process of slabjacking, also known as mudjacking, is a method of forcing wet concrete to be placed under the concrete slabs that are currently on your driveway. This lifts the sunken area and then levels it. The substance originally used was mud which is why it was named. Nowadays, cement and rocks are added to increase the robustness. Mudjacking is the process of mixing topsoil, cement, and water in a mix that is liquid enough that it can move through a hose of huge size.

As the slurry gets pumping in, it raises the driveway and fills in the voids and spaces that are left under the pavement. After drying, it provides strong support for your driveway. If the problems with drainage that caused the sinking of your driveway are not resolved, you could witness an occurrence of the problem.

Mudjacking is less expensive than replacing and removing your driveway's entire slab. It's also sturdy and can withstand the pressure of trucks with moderate vertical compression. One disadvantage of the mudjacking process is that the procedure requires drilling rather large holes in your driveway. These holes, typically around two inches in diameter, can accommodate the installation of the hose to the nozzle. These holes are patched, but they'll remain visible once the driveway is finished.

2. Inject Expanding Foam Under the Concrete Slab

Similar to mudjacking, using expanding foam to lift and support your driveway can be less costly than a complete replacement. In a process that is sometimes referred to as polyjacking, the concrete surface may be raised and leveled with polyurethane foam. The foam, which is lightweight and high density, is injected underneath the slab. It expands.

The foam is a closed-cell polymer. In contrast to open-cell foams, like a sponge, this closed-cell foam contains gas pockets, which fill the space and act as an impermeable barrier. In contrast to the larger hole for mudjacking, the hole used for foam injections is typically smaller than an inch in diameter.

Although mudjacking can fill all spaces underneath the slab of concrete, ploy foam will not fill every empty space. Its water-resistant properties make it extremely robust over time; however, the dirt surrounding it could suffer some erosion in the event of drainage issues. Polyurethane foam is a great option for precise levels and for driveways with smaller dimensions that do not have continuous erosion or drainage problems.

3. Resurface Your Driveway if the Sinking is Slight

Concrete resurfacing is a great way to fix a driveway that is sinking if there is just a tiny displacement or when the sinking is only limited to one area. Resurfacing is the process of laying down an extremely thin layer of concrete. The driveway is first powered washed. Small cracks and holes are filled in with epoxy mortar. The surface is then covered by pouring new concrete into a topping layer. A driveway that has been resurfaced can be used as early as 48 hours following the application of the material to resurface. This procedure will not only level your driveway but can also fill cracks. It also improves the appearance that your driveway has, making it appear new.

The drawback of resurfacing is that it does not solve the root cause of the sinking, for instance, drainage issues or soil problems. It is possible that you will experience issues that will return. If there are no mitigation measures in place, you can anticipate seeing some initial cracks on your driveway will come back eventually.

4. Replacement is Your Last Resort

If your driveway has large sinking, then you should think about changing your driveway completely. This option is the most expensive option, typically 3 to 4 times as expensive as foam injection or mudjacking.