How to Level an Uneven Concrete Sidewalk

sidewalk leveling

Uneven sidewalks are a hazard for homeowners, family members, and the general public. It’s essential to keep your sidewalk level and in good repair to prevent accidents and injuries. Anyone who needs sidewalk leveling can take a few steps to fix it so that it sits level once more and reduces the risk of incidents around the home and neighborhood. 

The Dangers of an Uneven Sidewalk 

Consider that sidewalks are frequently used by those who walk, run, or take their family for bike rides or a stroll. When there are uneven places on the sidewalk, it leads to trips and falls from unsuspecting foot and bike traffic. These falls and accidents can cause severe injuries to the individual. People of all ages, especially the elderly and small children, are at risk when there are uneven sections of the sidewalk. In fact, it may be the homeowner’s job to ensure the sidewalk stays in good repair in some areas. Keep reading to find out why sidewalks become uneven and how to level a sidewalk. 

 

What Causes Uneven Sidewalks? 

There are many reasons why a sidewalk may become uneven and start to crumble. One of the biggest culprits is erosion from the elements. Over time, rainfall and saturated soil allow the concrete to become brittle and break apart. The dirt underneath may also begin to erode and cause the sidewalk to crack and fall in sections. 

 

Sidewalk Leveling; How to Fix an Uneven Sidewalk

So, what can you do if you have any issues with an uneven sidewalk? Perhaps the most cost-effective and straightforward solution is using sidewalk leveling foam. The process of leveling a sidewalk is straightforward. Still, if you have limited experience with tools or cannot perform the process yourself, you can hire a professional to do the job. They can get it done quickly and with a high degree of satisfaction in most instances. 

The first thing you need to do to begin working on the leveling process is to acquire a drill with a drill bit that can create 5/8″ holes in the concrete. A few for each section should be sufficient. Once you complete the process of drilling the holes, you can use the sidewalk foam. Inject it into the holes, and it will go to work filling in the gaps and leveling the sidewalk. This process is faster, cheaper, and easier than removing the sidewalk section and reporting concrete in the space. 

 

Get Fast Sidewalk Leveling Today

If you begin to notice the sidewalk becoming uneven around your home, you should take action immediately to prevent accidents. Some handy individuals may choose to tackle the project themselves, but most people are busy or don’t have the time or means to do it themselves. That’s why you should contact a professional sidewalk leveling company in your area. There’s no need to tackle this type of project when you can turn to a reliable and experienced local company that can quickly get the job done to have peace of mind.

barricade installations

How to Repair a Bulkhead

Bulkheads are crucial devices that are mostly used around lakes, marinas, ponds, oceanfront properties, and houses built next to the lake to help hold the shoreline in place and prevent erosion. Bulkheads are usually made of wood planks which are placed on top of each other to create a strong barrier, which, in turn, prevents erosion. However, over time, water and soil usually erode the bulkhead causing small holes to form. If bulkheads repair is not done on time, the small holes will gradually become big and eventually cause the bulkhead to crumble. That is why it is very important to monitor and repair your bulkheads on time before they are completely destroyed. We will give you proven steps on how to repair a bulkhead.

 

Step 1:  Drill the Rotten Part

The first step to repair a damaged bulkhead is to drill the rotten part of the wood. Use a drill to gently drill the rotten part. Make sure that all rotten parts are completely eliminated. If a small section of rotten wood remains, it will spread out to other parts, thus damaging the bulkhead even further. That is why it is important to ensure that all rotten parts are completely removed.

 

Step 2: Clean the Holes

Once you have removed all rotten parts completely from the bulkhead, the next step is to clean the holes. Cleaning is important because it helps to remove any substance that will compromise bulkhead repair. Now, the cleaning process is simple and is done using acetone (a liquid substance that easily dissolves and breaks down substances). Pour a small amount of acetone into each hole then once you are done, give the holes about 2 hours for it to dry completely.

 

Step 3: Fill the Hole with a Waterproof Sealant

Once you are done cleaning holes, the next step is to fill them with a water epoxy sealant. This process will prevent water from passing through.

 

Step 4: Insert Pressure Treated Planks

Gently insert pressure-treated planks into each hole. The recommended plank size is 2 inches and it should be placed horizontally. If you are fixing multiple holes which are following each other, then you should cover all of them with the same piece of plank to minimize the chance of leakage.

 

Step 5: Screw the Planks

Once the planks are in place, the next crucial step is screwing them to hold them tightly in place. Screw each plank with a six-inch screw and ensure that each screw has a washer on the tail end to prevent them from going inside the wood, thus causing more damage.

 

Step 6: Place Boards

The last process is to place boards horizontally on top of each plank and then screw them to secure them tightly in place. The recommended board size is 2 X 4 and should be screwed with the same size of screws (6-inch) and washers that were used to hold the planks in place.

 

Final Thoughts

Bulkhead repair is a simple process that will take you a few minutes to complete and can save you a lot of money. However, in order to repair a damaged bulkhead successfully, you need to have the right tools and perform each step mentioned above thoroughly. If you are not sure of what to do, we recommend that you hire an expert, such as ourselves, to do the job for you.