When Do You Need Concrete Sidewalk Replacement?

It is not often when we care about the maintenance and repair of concrete sidewalks until we receive a violation notice from DOT or encounter mishaps like injuries and critical accidents. Nonetheless, as a property owner, you are responsible for the upkeep of your adjacent sidewalk to ensure increased safety, accessibility, and aesthetics.

Do you know deferring repairs leads to grave consequences? It reduces your sidewalk’s lifespan apart from curtailing its aesthetic value. You must consider concrete sidewalk repair Queens at the soonest to avoid the chances of going through a replacement job. Damages only aggravate over time resulting in increased complications, becoming irreparable! In other words, your problems get worse, requiring extensive replacement services.

In this blog, we will discuss when replacing a sidewalk becomes necessary. Let’s get to the discussion.

Sidewalk Damages Requiring Concrete Replacement

The average lifespan of a concrete sidewalk is 10 to 25 years which depends on factors like the built quality, exposure to extreme conditions, foot traffic, etc. Additionally, maintenance is another pivotal component aiding the longevity of a sidewalk.

However, throughout its service life, sidewalk concrete repair is essential from time to time. It is a fundamental aspect of the maintenance program which promotes increased durability, functionality, aesthetics, and safety.

Now, what necessitates sidewalk replacement?

• Ageing- If your sidewalk is really old, we mean more than two decades old, it is natural to have a broken, fractured, and unstable sidewalk. The sidewalk has lost its strength and structural integrity, which is more of a hazard than a safety feature! In such scenarios, replacement is always the most effective solution because you can have a new sidewalk- strong, sturdy, stable, durable, and safe.
• Fractures and Spiderweb Cracks- When you have cracks that appear like a spiderweb, it indicates a weak centre. Also, cracks may look like alligator skin, which is caused primarily due to heavyweight. Concrete sidewalk replacement is your best pick in such cases because your sidewalk has become potentially weak and structurally unsound.
• Frequent Repairs- Do you frequently have to repair your sidewalk? It suggests the entire sidewalk is critically damaged and perhaps lost its efficiency. Heavy foot traffic, passing of vehicles, or exposure to harsh weather will worsen the problem. Therefore, it is better to replace the sidewalk instead of undergoing frequent and multiple repairs.
• Too Many Potholes- In any sidewalk, potholes are commonplace, and they occur generally due to inadequate soil compaction and other underlying sub-base issues. During monsoons, these potholes become a menace to the users as they become flooded and messy. Thus, you must get rid of the potholes by replacing the sidewalk at the earliest.
• Improper Drainage-Another factor responsible for replacing concrete sidewalks is the lack of proper drainage. The soil gradation must be away from the property to direct away rainwater from the foundation. It will keep your foundation dry and aid maximum effectiveness.

Now, you know when you need sidewalk replacement. So, never ignore damage to your sidewalk. Be prompt and informed!