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.

4 Reasons My Concrete Should Be Lifted

 

Cracked sidewalk in need of concrete repair

Although concrete is a durable material used widely for building, it can sometimes experience shifts or cracks, especially when subjected to certain conditions. When damages occur concrete repair is often the solution. Instead of replacing concrete, you can consider lifting it whenever you see visible cracks, puddles, sinking slabs, and uneven concrete. Below are 4 top reasons your concrete should be lifted:

 

1. Reduce the risk of injury

If you’re a property owner, you’re responsible for keeping your tenants or clients safe at all times. Having a damaged or uneven slab increases the risk of slip and fall injuries. Therefore, you need concrete repair near me. Getting injury due to an uneven or damaged slab will bring unwanted liabilities to the family.

 

2. Easy and lasting solution

When your slab has some problems, there are increased chances of worsening in the near future. Therefore, it’s essential to lift your concrete slab immediately and prevent future hassles. If you use polyurethane foam, it’ll take a few hours to complete. Additionally, slabjacking is also less noisy and cleaner compared to removal and replacement.

 

3. Reduce the risk of water damage

A damaged, uneven or sunken concrete will cause water damage in your home. Concrete lifting can possibly reduce this risk, making you spend less money in various aspects, including foundation repair.

 

4. Less costly

Concrete lifting is typically less expensive compared to replacement. On average, the cost of slabjacking ranges between $500-$1,200. The cost varies based on the project size. On the other hand, if you decide to replace your entire concrete slab, you might spend twice or thrice on this cost. Again, if you replace the concrete slab, you will likely get cracks shortly.

 

In conclusion, these are the top reasons your concrete should be lifted. If you’ve decided to sell your property, you can also consider lifting concrete, as this will increase your home market value. Concrete repair Dallas, Texas should only be left to a professional contractor with the necessary skills and knowledge in handling the task.

weed growing through crack in concrete

What Makes a Sidewalk Dangerous?

Most people don’t see the danger posed by sidewalks, especially if they’re damaged. Sidewalks require maintenance from time to time to prevent possible accidents. Some of these maintenance practices include polyurethane concrete repair, re-paving, trimming tree roots, and joint installation. Below are some top things that make a sidewalk dangerous:

 

1. Multiple Cracks

The presence of multiple cracks in the sidewalks can be dangerous. Severe damage causes a reduction in walkability. Multiple cracks can easily cause slip and fall injuries. Depending on the magnitude of the cracks, they can either be repaired or replaced.

 

2. Major or Minor Chipping

Both major and minor chipping/spalling make a sidewalk dangerous. Both require urgent repair. For minor chipping, concrete repair is enough, unlike major chipping, where you need to replace the affected sections.

 

3. Visible Gaps on Edges

Gaps in sidewalks occur on the expansion joints left by the contractor during the installation of concrete. Over time, these gaps start widening, thus becoming unsafe for people who walk through. These gaps need asphaltic filler material or polyurethane foam concrete crack repair.

 

4. Sinking Sections

Having subsided sections on a sidewalk is very risky and can easily lead to fall accidents that may cause injuries or disabilities. All sinking sections should be replaced.

 

5. Displaced Sections Due to Growing Tree Roots

When roots from huge trees grow under sidewalks, they start displacing some sections of the sidewalks. These displaced sections can pose a threat to people, especially where they become slanted. A sidewalk with some sloppy sections increases the risk for slip and fall accidents. You need to contact a tree surgeon to trim the tree roots to solve this problem. After this, a professional contractor can then repair the affected sections.

In conclusion, these are some top things that make sidewalks dangerous. Professional concrete contractors should do all sidewalk repairs since they understand installation, repair, and replacement processes.

 

Concrete Repair

Don’t Replace Your Concrete… Repair it!

Concrete is one of the best and most preferred building materials which can be used in concrete sidewalks, concrete driveways, stamped concrete, concrete repairs, and concrete flooring demands. One of the reasons why concrete stands out from other building materials is that it is an affordable construction material. Second, it is a durable material that can last for many decades withstanding elements such as wind, water, fire, and vibrations. Third, concrete is a versatile material that can be used from a simple concrete sidewalk to stamped and decorative concrete. Are you in need of commercial concrete repair work for your patio, sidewalk, or driveway? Here are a variety of concrete services that you can consider for your residential and commercial concrete works.

Commercial Concrete Leveling

Commercial concrete leveling is preferred for leveling and stabilizing uneven concrete slabs such as driveways, sidewalks, warehouse floors, and roadways. In addition, commercial concrete leveling can be used in applications such as erosion control and void filling, railroad and airport runway repairs, and leveling uneven bridge approaches and roads. Concrete leveling systems are usually designed to function under severe conditions. The benefit of polyurethane foam system which is used in commercial concrete leveling is that it is lightweight weighing only 4 to 6 pounds after being laid. It is also waterproof meaning that it cannot wash out. If you are looking for an alternative to concrete replacement, re-leveling, and mudjacking then look no further than commercial concrete leveling.

Concrete Raising

Concrete raising refers to the method of raising concrete so that it matches an existing grade, the benefit of which is that it eliminates sunken concrete areas, drainage problems, and trip hazards. There are two methods that are involved in concrete raising: mudjacking and polyurethane foam concrete raising. Polyurethane concrete raising involves injecting foam material under the slab. When small holes are drilled in the sunken concrete and materials pumped underneath the slab, the foam fills the void and raises the slab to the required level. After the void is filled, it is raised then leveled making it more stable than it ever was.

Cement/ Concrete Repair

Concrete repair or cement repair refers to the process of fixing a concrete surface that has been damaged as a result of environmental exposure. Cement repair is ideal for physical impacts, cracks, and surface scaling. During cement repair, the concrete surface will be cleaned to remove grease, dirt, oil, granules, or concrete flakes. Scrub and clean the area to be repaired using a broom and brush. Next use water to flush the area that is supposed to be repaired. After that, use cement repair solutions like vinyl patching compound and mix with water. Finally, trowel the mix into broken areas and cracks, and level the area to fix it.

Commercial Parking Lot Repair

Commercial parking lot repair refers to anything from damage, to the parking lot repair, to cracks and fixing the drainage. Parking lot repair entails sealing cracks that are caused by poor parking lot construction, sun, and water damage. It also entails resealing and resurfacing which extends the lifespan of the concrete.

Despite popular belief, concrete can last and look good for a very long time and can be much more cost-efficient to repair it, rather than replacing it.  Let us help you with your next commercial concrete project.

 

Don’t Replace Your Concrete… Repair it!