Your Guide to Make Sidewalk Safe & Functional

Sidewalk Repair NYC is your trusted brand who makes sidewalks safe and functional for  everyone, including children and adults.Sidewalks are essential for our daily lives as they promote walkability.

The walkway is a safe and accessible path for pedestrians to travel.  But if you fail to make the necessary repairs, it can lead to trip hazards and accidents.  Routine checkups and maintenance can save you from legal lawsuits and expensive repairs in the future.

Let us guide you on how you can make your sidewalks accessible and what the procedure and benefits of repairing them are. 

Importance of Sidewalk Repair

Make the sidewalk clean for the city, safer and easier for everyone to use so you can contact nyc contractor today. This not only makes neighborhoods more appealing, but it also makes it easier to get to places of work and encourages people to live healthy lives. 

Cracks, potholes and uneven slabs in your sidewalks not only look unappealing, but they can also injure pedestrians. Damage from tree roots, holes, and cracks in the path can make it hard for people to walk straight.       

The Things That Damage Sidewalks

This is not a full list of all the things that can go wrong with sidewalk concrete, but these are some of the most common ones.

Not Enough Compaction of the Soil

There is too much loose dirt beneath the sidewalk, which allows for plenty of room for shifting and the subsequent heaving, sinking, and cracking. In addition to being the product of subpar construction, this can also be the natural result of the soil. In any case, there is a considerable risk of harm if the soil is not tight and flat with the concrete.

Impact of Weather

Eventually, sidewalks will sustain damage from nature. Perfect concrete does not exist. Both rain and sun exposure can weaken sidewalks over time. The material may freeze, expand, and crack as a result of cold weather.

Too Much Moisture

Rain is the primary cause of this, but poor planning and installation can also be to blame. Sloped sidewalks can get wet and lose their shape. It is even normal for backyard patios to crack from water damage if the gutters are open and let a lot of water flow over them.

Poor Construction

This is a big deal because it shows you can not just pick the first concrete contractor you see without careful consideration. If you do not do a good job, your concrete sidewalk may crack before it should. A properly experienced, licensed, and insured company like Sidewalk Repair.NYC will give you the kind of great service you need.

Signs That Your Sidewalks Need Repair 

Here are some indicators that your sidewalk needs repairs.

Small Cracks 

Cracks in the sidewalk are one of the most common signs that they are broken. Because it is so hot in New York City, the concrete is expanding, which causes the cracks. Neglecting these small cracks will result in expensive repairs. 

Pits and Holes

The cracks and holes in the sidewalks get worse over time. If you do not fix them, the holes will get wider and deeper because the concrete keeps wearing away. The ready-mixed concrete can be used to fill these pits and stop any further damage.   

Uneven Surface

The soil under the sidewalk needs to be packed down. Over time, it gets loose. The sidewalks will sink into the ground if the dirt is loose or holds a lot of water. So, the sidewalk surface is not level. Both mudjacking and polyjacking can be used to fix uneven surfaces.

Water Pooling

A well-kept sidewalk should make it easy for water to drain away. That being said, if water is pooling on top, it means the walkways need to be fixed. The sidewalks are fixed so that they stay at the right angle so that water can drain away.

Tree Roots

The roots of the trees grow on the sidewalks and damage the surface and level of the pathways. To protect against the damage that trees can do, the tree are cut down and root  barriers are put up.

Cracked Concrete 

Over time, the sidewalk concrete may start to break down. At first glance, this might not look like a lot of damage. But in the end, it might hurt the skin. The surface of the path is evened out with cement. 

Sidewalk Repair Process in NYC

If you find a problem with a sidewalk in New York City, you need to tell the city's Department of Transportation right away. The process of sidewalk repair is discussed below.

Inspection

The City of New York's Department of Transportation (DOT) or Parks Department will look into the reported sidewalk problem to see how bad it is and what the best answer is. 

Permits

If it is the property owners' job to fix the sidewalks, the city might send out a notice listing the changes that need to be done and giving them a due date.  In New York City, it is the property owner's job to fix streets within the time limit.

Moreover, property owners can get assistance from professionals. Licensed contractors have knowledge about how to deal with violations and fines.

Repairs Done By City

The right department will plan the repair if the sidewalks are the responsibility of the NYC government. The time it takes to make these fixes depends on how busy they are and what needs to be done first. Or else you can hire a professional sidewalk repair contractor for the repairs.

Why are DIY Sidewalk Repairs Not Recommended?

Most people think they can fix and maintain their sidewalks on their own. That is not the case, though. Someone with little to no training cannot quickly fix the sidewalks.

Lack of Experience: Someone who has never fixed, maintained, or reinstalled sidewalks before can not do the job well. They may not even be able to see the possible problem because they have never done it before, which could cause more damage to the streets.

Use of Low-Quality Material:  Sometimes even a skilled worker might not know what kind of material to use for the repair job. If you use low-quality materials, the concrete will break down faster, and you will have to fix it again.

Unavailability of the Tools:  To fix your sidewalks, you need to use up-to-date tools and methods. You will not have the tools because you are a new worker, and it can be pricey to rent or buy the tools.

Do not try to fix your sidewalks yourself; you need the help of a professional. If you try to fix your walkways yourself, you might do a lot of damage that will cost a lot to fix later. You might want to hire a professional sidewalk repair contractor in NYC instead of fixing the sidewalks or any other concrete construction yourself.

Conclusion

A functional and well-maintained sidewalk is necessary to keep pedestrians safe. Making sidewalks accessible is the shared responsibility of the city and property owners.  By keeping an eye on the signs, causes and by hiring the right sidewalk repair contractor , you can make the environment safe for everyone.