Every year, hundreds of people trip, slip, and fall on the sidewalk which results in injuries and accidents. To avoid these sidewalk trip hazards, you must first discover factors that could cause it and then the problem can be narrowed down and solved.
Factors that Contribute to the Development of The trip hazards
- Buckling
Bucklings are more like uneven broken concrete slabs that are caused by tree roots that find their way through the concrete slabs from underneath the sidewalks.
- Snow and Ice
Snow and ice are also responsible for trip, slip, and fall especially in arctic regions. It should be cleaned regularly to reduce the risk of falls.
- Cracks
Cracks on the sidewalk also cause falls, trips, and slips. They can be caused by seasonal temperature changes, the use of bad materials in repairing the sidewalk, or bad soil conditions.
Leveling Concrete Sidewalk Trip Hazards
The type of sidewalk trip hazard determines how you solve the problem and prevent it from happening again. If it were due to cracks, you’ll need to fill back the hole and close it up. If it were caused by a sunken block, you’ll need to raise it. Here are a few tips for leveling sidewalk hazards:
- Raising Sunken Sidewalk Blocks
There are certain materials you can use to raise sunken sidewalk blocks such as polyurethane foam injection or you can just replace the concrete. Replacing the concrete would be the best option if it has cracked beyond repair. To raise sunken sidewalk blocks, you’ll need to pour a new concrete slab but this is not a permanent solution especially if the soil underneath is not strong enough for the slab.
The polyurethane foam injection approach involves using polyurethane foam to lift the concrete slab by injecting the foam through a hole, then you’ll let it dry and cure.
- Leveling Raised Concrete Sidewalk
If the sidewalk hazards are caused by a higher section on the ground, there are three ways of leveling the raised areas. You level the affected regions using any of these methods:
- Precision Concrete Cutting
Most flooring professionals prefer precision cutting because it cuts all edges perfectly while maintaining its initial aesthetic. It’s also a faster and more convenient method unlike other methods of leveling raised concrete sidewalks. If there are concrete curbs on your sidewalks, you may want to get the appropriate tools to level them as well.
- Using Concrete Grinders or Scarifiers
The type of sidewalk you wish to level determines the type of concrete grinders or scarifiers you’ll need. You’ll need a scarifier if the trip hazard is caused by a demolition activity on the surface.
This is because the scarifier is faster and more efficient than a grinder. You can also use the concrete grinding approach if the trip hazard is caused by a thicker coating of concrete and you want to polish the pavement after getting rid of the trip hazard.
Conclusion
At Acme Concrete, we provide professional sidewalk leveling and we also specialize in raising concrete sidewalks. If you’re looking for the best sidewalk leveling near me, we at Acme Concrete are your best option.
