Concrete Walkway Issues

An uneven concrete sidewalk is an aggravating issue for both realtors and homeowners. Not only does it mar a property’s appearance, but it can also be dangerous. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 1 million Americans suffer a slip or trip injury each year; many due to uneven, cracked, or otherwise damaged sidewalks. Residents and visitors to Dallas-Fort Worth are as likely as anyone else to fall victim themselves.

Let’s take a look at what causes uneven sidewalks in the first place. Then we will discuss three ways to fix this common eyesore and safety hazard.

Concrete Damage is Usually Due to Natural Causes

A properly laid concrete sidewalk can remain in place for many years before it starts to shift. When it does begin to move, the problem is usually due to one of three natural causes:

1. Erosion: Rain seeps beneath the sidewalk, washing away the supporting soil and causing the concrete to sink. This happens regularly here in the Southwest, where gully washers are a common occurrence.
2. Expansive Clay Soils: The clay-based soil in our region expands in the presence of moisture and contracts when dry. This “heaving” process can damage concrete sidewalks and shift them out of place.
3. Frost: Our part of the country enjoys mild winters most of the time. Yet sometimes, the mercury drops low enough to freeze the ground, causing sidewalks to crack or heave.

When you understand the causes, you are now ready to find some concrete sidewalk repair solutions.

DIY sidewalk repair

The sheer weight and size of a sidewalk make DIY repair an arduous task indeed. Still, there are a couple of options available:

1. Scarifying: This method uses a machine to grind the sidewalk down to a uniform level. Unfortunately, it does nothing to address the eroded soil underneath. Also, scarifying can leave ugly blemishes (“scars”) on the sidewalk’s surface.
2. Ripping up and redoing the sidewalk: This labor-intensive approach is best reserved for those with extensive concrete pouring experience. When performed poorly or in haste, it can actually make the problem worse.

The best approach: professional concrete lifting and leveling

Known as “slab jacking,” “mud jacking,” or simply “concrete leveling,” this option attacks the problem by correcting its underlying cause. Here’s how it works:

1. A skilled technician drills holes in the sidewalk surface: This is done with care to avoid causing cracks or fractures in the concrete.
2. A compound is injected into the underlying earth: As the product cures, it raises the depressed sections of the sidewalk to a smooth, even level.
3. The technician fills the drill holes and corrects any aesthetic concerns: The customer is left with a renewed sidewalk that’s both beautiful and safe to walk on, giving it a “good as new” appearance.

Here at Align Foundation Repair, our people are experts in all aspects of sidewalk repair. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our concrete raising services. We can put your crooked path back on the straight and level where it belongs.

Your concrete walkway may settle. The process is gradual, but the concrete will eventually settle to the point where it becomes a visual distraction and even a trip hazard. This leads to the question: should I repair or replace the concrete? This is a legitimate question for North Texas homeowners as concrete settlement is all too commonplace in this region.

Repair Methods

In most instances, the concrete itself is hardly damaged and simply settling to the bottom. An expensive concrete replacement is not necessary; raising the concrete walkway is the far more sensible solution. The process of raising concrete is known as mud-jacking. It also goes by other names, such as slab-jacking and concrete leveling.

The process is quite simple. A slurry mixture of cement, clay and sand, or a similar solution is injected into the soil beneath the foundation. When the mixture hardens (usually within two hours), it fortifies the soil by filling in the gaps and air pockets that lead to the settling. This raises the concrete, so it’s flush with the surrounding driveway.

Unless damage to the concrete is significant, mud-jacking is a great option. It’s a cost-effective solution due to the non-invasive nature of the process. It can be completed within a single visit and does not require half the yard to be exhumed or existing concrete to be demolished. The cost is about half of the expense of a concrete replacement.

When Is Replacement Necessary?

There are scenarios where a complete replacement is the only option. Such may be the case when:

• The concrete slab is broken into many pieces
• The concrete has deteriorated

The above scenarios, however, can almost always be avoided by calling a professional the minute you recognize the concrete has slightly sunk or sloped at an uneven angle. As long as you don’t wait until the last minute (when the concrete splits or sinks to extreme depths), repair will always be the more feasible option.

Raise Your Settling Concrete Walkway

Do you need to level a concrete walkway? This is where Align Foundation Repair comes in. Give us a call; with just one visit to your home, we can raise the concrete to its original position. Do not let the problem linger, as the concrete will only settle further until damage requires a far more expensive and labor-intensive replacement. Call us today for a free in-person evaluation of your foundation and complimentary estimate!