Things You Should Know Before Repairing And Replacing Sidewalk

 

Preserving the look of your home is an important factor. The sidewalk plays an important role in it. You should keep it at the level and intact to prevent injuries and tripping hazards. Today there is a wide variety of sidewalk repair technologies that can be proven useful when implemented correctly. 

Many people pay very little attention to their sidewalks until they start to crumble. Just like anything, these sidewalks can deteriorate over time and need some maintenance as the years go by. The lifespan of an asphalt sidewalk is about 20 years while a Licensed Sidewalk Repair NYC can last for about 25 to 30 years if constructed correctly. 

Some of the common factors that contribute to damaging the sidewalks are harsh weather, heavy traffic, and ground movements. Here are some of the signs that indicate that you need to repair your sidewalk:

Cracks & Gouges – cracks and gouges can appear over time in both asphalt and concrete and can grow quickly due to substances like water, ice, or automotive grease getting inside them. 

Uneven Slabs – the main reason for uneven slabs are trees and their roots. These roots lift the slabs from one side making them dangerous for pedestrians. You should get it fixed immediately to avoid any inconvenience. 

Pooling Water – water alone won’t cause any damage to your sidewalk but if your sidewalk is already damaged and have cracks in it, the water pool will do the damage.

Repairing vs replacing

Assessing the damage to your sidewalk is a good place to start before deciding that you should replace or repair your sidewalk. Since most of you are not concrete experts, you should be able to determine if the damage seems minor or major. Repairing the sidewalk is good under these circumstances: 

• Ordinary wear and tear

• Small cracks and gouges 

• If the damage is less than two inches to concrete

Replacing is good if: 

• Fully-broken slabs 

• Deep cracks that may affect the structural integrity 

In most cases, the homeowner is responsible for replacing or repairing the sidewalk adjacent to their property. In many cities, you need permission and a permit before constructing or repairing your sidewalk. For sidewalk repairs in NYC, you can get this permit from the department of transportation. 

To replace or repair your pavement, there are some steps you need to follow if you are doing a DIY project. You also need some safety and repairing tools like safety glasses, putty knives, bonding agents, concrete, work gloves, etc. The cost to repair of Sidewalk Repair Brooklyn or replace may vary based on the material cost and if you are getting a contractor to do they might quote you different prices. 

First things first, you need to cut out the damaged area. Place your chisel in the cracks and angle it slightly outward. You can also use your sledgehammer to tap off the cracks and remove the faulty part. 

The next thing would be cleaning out the debris and any loose concrete. You can use a wire brush for that. Once the area is clean, use a sponge to moisten the area. This process will help you bond a new patch. 

Once you are done with all those, the next thing will be pouring patching mix inside those cracks. You might want to take your time with this step. Then apply a bonding agent with a brush in those cracks and gouges. Make sure to keep the patch moist until it is fully covered with the patching agent. 

There are a lot of accidents caused by uneven and broken sidewalks. And if an accident occurs on your property, according to the DOT you are liable for that accident. It is wise to maintain your sidewalk than to be liable for some accident and have to bear the extra cost of it. 

There are a lot of common defects that can happen to a sidewalk. Some of them are collapsed pavement, trip hazards, patchwork, and improper slop. There could be some serious consequences if an accident occurs on your property. The DOT NYC does a regular inspection of the citywide sidewalks. If the inspector finds anything that could lead to the safety of people by your sidewalk then you could get in some serious trouble with heavy fines.