How to fix cracked sidewalk | Pro Tips For Repairing Concrete

Do you have sidewalk concrete cracks on your commercial or residential property? Everyone does, with time and nature of the material it is supposed to happen. While some concrete cracks are unwanted intruders that need to be dealt with early with the help of a sidewalk repair specialist.

Most property owners are proud of the way their home or business looks- something the real estate professionals call ‘enhances curb appeal’ includes the sidewalks adjacent to your property. Not only for safety, but it is also especially vital when you are thinking to sell your home. Few things can detract quicker from our curb appeal than a crumbling and cracking sidewalk.

Note that most sidewalks are constructed with uniform cracks which in simple terms are measured sections. However, with intense wear and tear and other environmental factors, they also frequently have other surface splits. The reason for each can vary. The bad news about cracks is that these won’t go away on their own but get worse with time. On the contrary, the good news is that once you get to the root cause, you will find that with the help of a reliable contractor like Tony Masonry you can get faster, simple, cost-effective solutions than having replacements done for small repairs.

Why do Professionals add Intentional Cracks to Concrete Sidewalks?

As far as the materials go, concrete is seemingly durable and indestructible. Because of this, it is a material of choice for sidewalks and driveways. Concrete is not invincible, durable though it is. Over time, a number of problems can cause concrete to degrade. For instance, concrete expands and contracts when subjected to changes in temperature. Once it does, it begins to cause problems for the property owner.

Now coming to the point, if the concrete is poured without any break and one continuous frame, then weather-related expansion and contraction would cause them to crack, break, crumble and buckle. To combat such issues in the long-term, professionals divide the area and pour uniform and evenly spaced concrete, this provides it with room to expand and contract without damaging its integrity. When constructed properly with decent techniques, your sidewalks can be resistant to cracking.

What causes cracks in Sidewalks?

There are a couple of other factors that can cause your concrete to crack, besides the effects of weather. Despite employing exquisite skills and money, after a few months you will still find that your sidewalks can cause a serious hazard. Some of the causes include:

1. Stress on the material: Concrete is tough but it does have weight limits. For instance, the concrete used for sidewalks is different from the shop floors. So before you lift potentially heavy equipment, be mindful of the weight limits.

2. Poor Construction techniques: Amongst numerous construction errors related to cracks, improper installation is the one that causes concrete to crack prematurely. However, this is something you can control by hiring an experienced company, that will ensure that your sidewalks are installed properly and within specified codes by the Department of Transportation. Furthermore, a qualified contractor will know how to mix the concrete properly so that it does not end up weakening prematurely while others can make it develop permanent structural defects.

3. Problems with the soil underneath: Concrete can crack due to several problems with the soil underneath. For instance, in most cases, the poorly compacted happens to sink where the concrete is poured, which results in creating empty pockets of air. Since the soil bed is uneven or not strong enough, the concrete due to weight can settle and eventually crack.

How to Repair Sidewalk Cracks?

Again, the best way to combat the above-listed issue is to pick a qualified installer- the key to ensuring that your concrete lasts as long as possible. If you already have a damaged sidewalk, then now is the time to call someone out to repair it before it gets worse, someone gets injured or you receive a notice from the DOT.

You will have two options, either replacement or fixing the damaged sections.

It is worth noting that replacement is a costly affair as it involves construction of new concrete sidewalks. This stands to be only viable when your underneath surface is causing issues like water lodging or stabilization. Unless the issues are addressed the original problem won’t fade on its own. On the other hand, regular repair and maintenance programs in place are much less expensive and combat issues on the surface like filling the voids in the soils so cracks don’t appear again. And once the job is performed by the professionals, your sidewalk will be back to its original state.

To learn more, you can simply contact our team of licensed contractors to get a viable solution and fix whether it is a residential or commercial project. If you are starting a new project for laying fresh concrete on your sidewalks and want the best to minimize the dangers of cracking and sinking in the future, then Tony Masonry is a widely trusted contractor in the town, taking all the steps required to ensure a quality, long-lasting installation.