HomeGuide puts a mudjacking lift at five to ten years or longer, and describes cured polyurethane foam as waterproof and resistant to erosion, without a fixed figure. How long either lasts depends mostly on the ground and the water: fixed drainage, sealed joints and stable soil make a lift last; downspouts at the slab edge and soft, still-settling soil shorten it.
New Orleans Concrete Leveling would rather give you a realistic number than a sales one. Lifespan figures here come from HomeGuide (updated November 2025).
What the data says
| Method | Lifespan per HomeGuide | Failure mode to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Mudjacking (slurry) | 5 to 10 years or longer | Slurry can erode if water keeps reaching it; adds weight to soft soil |
| Polyurethane foam | Waterproof, won’t erode — no fixed figure | Soil below keeps settling |
The material under the slab is rarely what fails. The soil under that is.
Four things that cut a lift short
- Water at the slab edge. A downspout emptying at a driveway corner washes out support — whatever was injected.
- Open joints and cracks. Rain goes straight down into the base.
- Soft, still-settling soil. Common on the south shore, where the City of New Orleans measures average subsidence of about 0.2 inches a year.
- Leaks under the slab. A cracked drain or supply line keeps eroding soil from below.
How to make it last in New Orleans
- Extend downspouts several feet from any slab edge.
- Seal joints and cracks after the lift, and reseal as the sealant ages.
- Grade soil away from slab edges where water ponds.
- Fix leaks before lifting if a slab keeps sinking in one spot.
- On soft ground, consider foam or soil stabilization under the lift.
Bottom line
Plan on five to ten years or longer for mudjacking per HomeGuide, with foam resisting washout — and make either last by controlling water. For an estimate that covers drainage too, call (504) 517-8336 — free estimate within 24 hours.
Quick answers
Does foam last longer than mudjacking?
Foam doesn't erode once cured, which removes one way slurry can fail. But neither material stops the soil below from settling, so in practice drainage and soil conditions decide lifespan more than the material.
Can a slab be leveled again if it sinks later?
Usually, yes. A slab that settles again can typically be re-lifted through new or existing holes. Repeat settling is a signal to look harder at water and soft soil first.
Does leveling come with a warranty?
Terms vary by contractor. Ask what's covered, for how long, and what voids it — for example, unrepaired drainage or plumbing leaks.
Get a written price for your slab
Free estimate within 24 hours. Two quick steps — or call (504) 517-8336.