Sidewalk and driveway cracks
Here’s hoping that this task isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Today, we’re going to be checking your driveway and walkways for cracks. Not only are these splits unsightly, but they can also lead to liability issues if someone were to trip and fall.
All that you’ll need to complete this assessment is your eyeballs, so grab those and head outside.
TRIP AND FALLS
While we all know that accidents happen, we’d like to help you avoid one. Slips, trips, and falls are the cause of 9 million visits to the emergency room each year. An ignored crack in your sidewalk or driveway could lead to a painful injury for you or a loved one. Or, if it’s a visitor, a painful injury for them plus an expensive homeowners insurance claim for you. The average medical costs for a slip and fall accident is $30,000 to $40,000.
And while small and seemingly just unsightly, even if hairline cracks may not cause physical injuries, they can lead to further damage to your concrete if not taken care of. So now that we know why it’s important to check this out, let’s head outside.
CHECK IT OUT
First, let’s do a visual sweep of your sidewalk and driveway. Walk around the space and look for cracks and splits. If you find one, the size of the crack will likely tell you your next step.
A crack that is a quarter inch in width or narrower can likely be repaired with a filler or patch that can be purchased inexpensively at your local hardware store. While a small crack may seemingly be just an eyesore, they allow water to permeate the concrete and will lead to further damage. Repair it now to save yourself time and money down the line.
If any cracks in the concrete are deep or wide, larger than one inch, this is an indication that you may need to replace a section of your concrete possibly due to structural issues. This is when it’s time to call in a professional to help assess the issue and replace it if necessary.
For those with paver driveways and sidewalks, you may be able to replace individual pavers if they are cracked or damaged instead of replacing the entire section.
TRIP FINDER
After your visual sweep, let’s get a feel for your driveway and sidewalk to identify any hidden trip hazards that you may have. Walk around the area dragging your feet as you go along. Is the surface even or do you feel any abrupt changes, even if small? You might be surprised to know that a trip hazard is defined as a misalignment as small as ¼ inch.
For paver driveways and walkways, fixing a tripping hazard is likely a DIY. The affected pavers can be removed and releveled by adding pipe and sand to build up any sunken areas.
For concrete trip hazards, your best bet may be to call in a professional for advice. Tree roots and settling are two of the most common causes for concrete issues. A professional will be able to advise you whether the sidewalk can be salvaged by raising it or whether you should cut out a section and remove the tree roots before replacing it. Both of which require specialty equipment beyond what the typical homeowner would have in their toolshed.
Hopefully, this task wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. But if it was, then we’re here to help.