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New Orleans Concrete Leveling connects property owners with independent local contractors for mudjacking in New Orleans — also called slab jacking or limestone slurry leveling. A slurry of cement, limestone or sand, and water is pumped under a sunken slab through holes about 1 to 2 inches wide, filling the void and lifting the concrete back to grade. HomeGuide puts it at $4–$9 per square foot, about half the cost of foam, with the slurry setting in about 24 hours.
We don't sell one method. Mudjacking has been used for decades because it works and it's economical. This page explains where it's the right choice and where foam is worth the extra cost.
What happens on the first visit
When a contractor recommends mudjacking, the estimate should cover:
- Why slurry suits this slab — usually firm fill and a large open void.
- The slurry mix, typically cement with limestone or sand.
- Hole size and placement, and how they'll be patched.
- How long to stay off it: about a day to walk, two to three days to drive, per HomeGuide.
- The written price, including patching and joint sealing.
Where mudjacking is the better value
Large, open voids on firm ground. Slurry fills big washouts under driveways and walks economically — more void means more material, and slurry costs less per cubic foot. Budget-sensitive jobs. At $4–$9 per square foot, a full driveway often costs meaningfully less than with foam. Outdoor flatwork you can stay off for a couple of days.
Limestone slurry is also dense and stiff once cured, which some contractors prefer under slabs that carry concentrated loads on a firm base.
Where foam is the better choice
Slurry is heavy — roughly 100 pounds per cubic foot. On soft, compressible soil, like the drained-marsh ground under much of the south shore that the City of New Orleans says is still settling, adding that weight can contribute to further settling. Slurry can also wash out over time if water keeps reaching it. Where same-day use, small holes or soft soil matter, polyurethane foam is usually worth the premium. The full comparison is in foam vs mudjacking; prices are in mudjacking cost in New Orleans.
Mudjacking cost
Expect $4–$9 per square foot with a typical $300–$700 minimum. HomeGuide's mudjacking figures put a full 450-square-foot driveway at $1,800–$4,100 — usually 30–50% less than replacement. Run the cost estimator with mudjacking selected for your size.
What a proper mudjacking job includes
- Reason for choosing slurry stated in writing
- Slurry mix described on the estimate
- Hole pattern planned around cracks
- Void filled before the lift begins
- Lift watched with a level or string line
- Holes patched with matching grout
- Joints sealed to keep water off the slurry
- Clear stay-off times for foot and car traffic
DIY patch vs cheapest operator vs proper mudjacking
| Factor | DIY patch or topping | Cheapest operator | Proper leveling job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixes the void under the slab | No | Sometimes | Yes |
| Actually raises the slab | No | Yes | Yes |
| Drop measured at every joint first | No | No | Yes |
| Method chosen for your soil | n/a | Whatever rig they own | Yes |
| Written price before drilling | n/a | Rarely | Yes |
| Holes patched, joints sealed | n/a | Holes only | Yes |
| Drainage cause addressed | No | No | Yes |
| Carries liability insurance | n/a | Ask | Ask — and verify |
| Typical life | Cracks as the slab keeps moving | Short if the cause isn’t fixed | 5–10+ years (mudjacking) |
| Typical cost, 150 sq ft patio | Materials only | Lowest bid | $600–$1,400 slurry · ~$1,200–$3,750 foam |
Proper-job cost and life from HomeGuide's mudjacking cost data; foam range calculated at HomeGuide's $8–$25/sq ft. Resurfacers and self-leveling toppings cover the surface; they don't lift the slab.