New York City is a city known for its skyscrapers, busy roads, and iconic sidewalks. These sidewalks play a significant role in the city’s infrastructure, serving as pathways for pedestrians and representing the exclusive characteristics of each neighborhood.
However, just like any infrastructure, the sidewalks undergo deterioration over time. The cracks start to appear, and the slabs move. When this happens, the property owners are responsible for replacing the sidewalk and ensuring its safety and functioning.
In this blog, we will explore the complexities of replacing a sidewalk in NYC and discuss when sidewalk replacement becomes necessary.
Signs that Your Concrete Sidewalk Requires a Revamp
Not all sidewalks demand a complete replacement. However, in some scenarios, it’s crucial to ensure pedestrian safety to prevent any sort of legal complications.
Here are some of the main indicators that your concrete sidewalk requires a revamp:
Cracked Sidewalks
Cracked sidewalks pose a major tripping risk, particularly for the elderly, children, and anyone with disabilities. Large space between slabs and uneven surfaces can cause serious injuries.
Tree Root Damage
The continued growth of tree roots can also put pressure on concrete, leading to the formation of cracks and uneven surfaces. Not taking timely measures can make the situation worse and increase safety risks.
Drainage Issue
Over the course of time, the ground under the sidewalk settles unevenly, leading to the tilting and sinking of the concrete.
Also, poor drainage can lead to water accumulation, resulting in cracks and further deterioration.
Pitting and Potholes
The formation of pitting and potholes is a sign that the sidewalk requires repair or replacement. It occurs due to the expansion of water beneath the pavement surface. Potholes pose a serious risk as they can cause tripping hazards.
Smaller potholes can be repaired. However, big potholes can lead to ground contracting and expanding issues if not addressed early.
City Inspection
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts regular sidewalk inspections. If they detect substantial damage that requires replacement, they notify the property owner, and failure to address the issue can lead to issuing a violation with a penalty.
When Should You Replace Your Concrete?
Though the first option is repair most of the time, there are some situations when replacing concrete is a more preferable solution.
It is significant to replace your concrete when:
- There are multiple cracks, holes, and a lot of spalling all around.
- There is extensive damage, compromising the structural integrity of the concrete.
- The underlying problem isn’t being resolved, even after multiple repair attempts.
DIY: Do it Yourself
While the idea of installing a concrete sidewalk yourself might be appealing, there are significant challenges that you must consider before grabbing a shovel.
Here is a breakdown of how some of the actions during DIY can lead to problems:
Uneven Mixing: Cracks
Mixing the concrete improperly can result in the formation of cracks, which can lead to potential tripping hazards.
Repairing the cracks can be very expensive and messy, and you might need to hire professionals.
Uneven Pouring: Bumpy Surface
Not levelling the mixture properly can create a bumpy sidewalk, which can cause a safety hazard. Fixing uneven concrete requires removing and re-pouring entire sections, which can be extremely costly.
Lifting Blunders: Injuries and Back Stains
Lifting heavy bags and materials can cause muscle strains and even back injuries.
Permit Oversight: Fines
Installing a sidewalk without a permit can result in heavy fines and wipe out all the savings you planned to keep from the DIY project.
Other Aspects to Consider
Other aspects that you should know about when doing a DIY sidewalk installation process include:
Physically Demanding Job
Working on concrete is physically demanding as it involves mixing, heavy lifting, and manoeuvring materials for extended periods.
Skills and Experience
Experience and knowledge play a very important role in handling concrete. Making mistakes during mixing, pouring, and finishing can lead to cracks, bumpy surfaces, and drainage issues.
Time Commitment
DIY projects can be much more time-consuming in comparison to professional installation, especially for those with less experience.
Equipment Requirement
Installing a concrete sidewalk involves the use of many pieces of equipment and tools, including shovels, tampers, concrete mixers, concrete saws, and other items. If you do not have these equipment and tools, you will have to buy them or rent them.
Hiring Professional Contractors
Replacing a sidewalk is a significant undertaking. Here are some of the prime benefits of hiring professionals for the job:
- Professionals have years of experience and a proven track record. They can ensure reliable service while meeting all the local building codes.
- They use the latest techniques and top-quality equipment to provide efficient results. They also pay attention to detail to offer a professional finish.
- Hiring professional contractors in NYC to replace your sidewalk will save you time and help you avoid costly mistakes, usually in DIY projects.
- They also prioritise safety and have proper training to reduce all the risks.
You can relax and trust that Sidewalk will be built effectively, correctly, and according to your specifications.
How Long Does It Take to Repair a Sidewalk?
The length of time depends on the extent of damage and the type of repair required. Simple patches and small cracks and holes usually take a few hours. However, a full sidewalk replacement can take several days or even weeks.
Conclusion
As the city of lights continues to grow, the significance of repairing and maintaining the sidewalks remains paramount. Important things that you can do to prepare for the inevitable include ensuring regular inspections, making sure that you have the contractor’s license number, having information about the company doing the work and having a copy of their insurance handy.
