Ways to Keep the Concrete Sidewalk from needing to be replaced

Do those cracks indicate that your sidewalk is doomed, or can they be repaired in a weekend? Study these signs that your concrete walkway can need to be replaced to eliminate the guesswork.

Even though concrete is one of the most durable building materials available, it can deteriorate over time due to repetitive freeze-thaw cycles, ground movement, or excessive weight. Continue reading if you're tired of staring at a broken sidewalk and aren't sure whether to fix or replace it. There are two types of sidewalks in most cities. Pedestrian sidewalks that run parallel to the street, often known as "shared-user sidewalks," are usually on a community easement. Although the homeowner is responsible for their upkeep, city ordinances decide when they should be replaced. On the other hand, private sidewalks lead from a driveway or a shared-user sidewalk to a homeowner's front door. Although these paths usually are not regulated by the city, you should use the city's guidelines to decide if your sidewalk needs to be replaced or whether it can be saved with better concrete patching and resurfacing materials.

 1.  If the Damage is Serious

There's no denying it: Concrete will eventually crack. They are cutting control joints into freshly poured sidewalks at spots where the concrete is most likely to break, contractors and savvy do-it-yourselfers guide where the cracks will start. These control joints function as weak points in the concrete, making it more possible to crack along them rather than in the slab's middle, where cracks will detract from the overall appearance. Control joints, for the most part, perform as expected, and natural cracking along these predetermined seams goes unnoticed. Cracking, on the other hand, does not always follow the joints.

Narrow cracks here and there isn't a concern, as previously stated. In reality, rather than ripping out a slab and starting over, it's far easier to fix these minor flaws with a fast repair. Extensive hairline cracks that stretch like spider webs through vast sections of a sidewalk, on the other hand, could indicate that something went wrong with the initial concrete mix. If this is the case, you should consider removing the whole sidewalk, or at least the majority of it. At the very least, keep an eye on the cracks and prepare to repair the walkway if they become too big. While superficial hairline cracks that do not grow in size over time will not compromise the integrity of a sidewalk, they are still unsightly. Cover those cracks and restore your home's curb appeal with a high-quality concrete resurfacing product for a quick weekend repair. Dream Concrete Contractors Co. will make your entire sidewalk look brand new for a fraction of the cost when applied to a clean sidewalk and squeegeed level. Since the polymers in this masonry product form a tight bond with the existing sidewalk, your fast repair will last for a long time.

2.  If the Sidewalk is Old

While concrete of any age can remain solid and resist cracking and rotting, older sidewalks have been exposed to the elements for a much more extended period, and that exposure takes its toll on concrete. Specific portions of an older walkway are more likely to have heaved and moved due to significant weather changes and ground movement. Uneven concrete slabs can cause tripping hazards in more senior communities, especially in historic residential districts, making sidewalks unsafe for pedestrians. If the difference in surface height from one sidewalk segment to the next is 12 inches or more, the sidewalk should be replaced. You may be able to employ a slab-jacking contractor to level the parts in certain cities, but if the sidewalk is old more than 50 years, you may find that replacing it makes more sense than making repairs. When fixing a concrete sidewalk isn't an option and has to be replaced, consider reinforcing it with rebar or using a concrete mix that includes rebar. When selecting a concrete sidewalk isn't an option and needs to be replaced, using rebar or a concrete mix with fibers, such as Dream Concrete Contractors Co, will help prevent potential problems.

3.  If there are vast, deep cracks, or if joints or edges have crumbled…

Some substantial damage can mean the end of a sidewalk, while others are just an eyesore. Cracks wider than 12 inches signify a severe issue with the sidewalk slab's integrity and belong squarely in the first camp. If the sidewalk is a shared-use sidewalk, you will be expected to repair at least the section with the giant crack (or cracks), but you may choose to replace the unit even if the crack is on a personal sidewalk. Wide cracks can be difficult to patch and only have a temporary solution if the sub-base is not structurally sound.