Guide to Sidewalk Violations: Hiring Professionals for A Quick Fix

According to Section 7-210 of the New York City Administrative Code, property owners are responsible for keeping their sidewalks free of trips and fall hazards in front of their property as well as sidewalks abutting their property. That is, it should be in ‘a reasonably safe condition’ for pedestrians. This requirement for sidewalk violation generally comes down to snow removal and sidewalk repair.

New Yorkers tend to overlook the unpleasant aspects of living here as long as the problems with sidewalks are too much into their face. But it is important to know that the aspects like sidewalk repair can be fixed with some efforts with the help of a reliable company in NYC.

Thousands of people are injured each year as a result of broken or cracked sidewalks which results in slips, trips, and falls, and commercial properties in NYC are no exception. In fact, sidewalk violations are the most frequent source of liability losses when it comes to property owners and landlords.

What’s the risk when you don’t carry out the repairs?

There are ordinances set in place by many cities and towns that impose the responsibility and cost of repairs upon the property owners. For instance, if a sidewalk adjacent to your property needs repair upon inspection then the jurisdiction requests to maintain or carry out a repair. While this provides a means to repair if there is negligence to the orders you might be liable or have to pay heavy sums.

Our experts at Tony Masonry recommend you to make the needed repairs before the initial sign of damage becomes a defect. So your best defense in these cases is the ability to demonstrate that the sidewalk adjoining your property is regularly inspected, well-maintained, and free of defects.

But how to identify potential problems beforehand? Moving forward we will share a checklist that you can frequently use for sidewalk inspections.

Sidewalk violation

Throughout New York City the Department of Transportation inspects the sidewalk so that there are no dangerous or unsafe conditions for the passers-by. Based on the complaints and reports of the injuries if it is in compliance with the set standards they may issue a violation. A violation may be for a number of reasons, such as:

1. Cracked or loose sections within the sidewalks

2. Improper slope

3. Faulty patchwork

4. Tree roots

5. Collapsed sidewalks, and much more

Regardless of who is responsible for the damage, the property owner has to make the proper repair. The violation remains open with the DOT until there are satisfactory repairs made. So basically, the sidewalk violations issued by DOT are an official notice which states that if the liable party does not perform the repairs or maintenance within 75 days, the DOT hires a private sidewalk construction team to do the work.

Note that: The initial notices are not fines, these are general reminder notices to repair the sidewalks. However, these violations remain open with the country clerk until there is confirmation that repairs have been performed

Responsibility of the Property Owners

As a property owner, it is essential to understand the requirements of maintaining the safety of your sidewalks. You might ask for the most effective method to mitigate such issues. It is best to take proactive measures towards the prevention of defects which includes hiring a sidewalk repair company in NYC for periodic inspections and prompt repairs or maintenance of substantial defects on or adjacent to your property.

To simply put, your maintenance strategy should include the repairs of the sidewalk slabs according to the underlying condition. Plus, there are a few indicators that you should know which will determine if your sidewalk needs a replacement.

Maintaining your sidewalk helps to protect your business, promotes a safe, mobile and healthy community by complying with the exceeding requirements of DOT standards and sidewalk laws in NYC. Plus, the condition of your sidewalks also affects how your business performs. Uneven surfaces, old concrete, and cracks might leave a bad impression. And more importantly, these poorly maintained sidewalks can put pedestrians at risk and turn into tripping hazards in no time. So you need to take care of the problem immediately.

Defining Sidewalk Defect for Property owners

1. When cracks begin to show in one or more slabs. Initially, small cracks may go unnoticed but you need to amp yourself for the upcoming danger which can aggravate cracks due to harsh weather conditions or heavy loads.

2. If you see the concrete sinking or a vertical surface difference between the adjacent sidewalks then it is a trip hazard. Usually, the sidewalks are designed as tiled layouts which can come undone with time revealing bumps that may lead to accidents and lawsuits when someone trips on them.

3. A loose slab might start to crumble or break from the edges. The more load a sidewalk has to take, the more quickly it deteriorates which could be due to a number of reasons.

4. If you have poor drainage, there are chances of moisture accumulation which can dig deep into the primary layer of the sidewalks. If you see the surface always wet or water accumulates around the edges, it is a serious indicator that signals a defect.

5. Non-compliance with DOT standard for construction and repairs of sidewalks.

The Inspection Checklist

How do you know when the time has come? If you are searching for the same answer, your search ends here! Our expert sidewalk contractors have narrowed down a checklist so that you can make your repairs promptly:

• Snow and ice

• A vertical surface difference in adjacent slabs

• Larger cracks and missing pieces

• Severe dulling and discolorations

• Panels have started to lower and raise

• Hazardous conditions caused by improper repair techniques

Tips for Effective Sidewalk Repairs

1. First things first, invest time to inspect the sidewalks for your property.

2. Hire sidewalk repair contracts in NYC that will be able to handle construction management. Check whether the team understands the DOT specifications well and acts accordingly.

3. Find a licensed contractor and use a detailed written contract for hire.

Get the repairs done before expected violations and liabilities.