Preventative Steps: How to Avoid Sidewalk Damage
According to NYC laws, property owners must keep sidewalks clear of ice, snow, and water and repair concrete structures to prevent tripping accidents. Accidents caused by broken, cracked, uneven, slippery and sunken sidewalks lead to liability fines, not to mention violations of the NYC DOT.
To avoid the hassle of fighting against the law suits and dealing with DOT violation removal, it is best to take preventive action and get the sidewalks fixed. With this article, we will help you make yourself aware of the preventative steps to avoid sidewalk damages and costly repairs.
Moreover, we will also discuss why hiring professional experts is beneficial in cases where extensive damage to your sidewalk occurs.
Sidewalk Damages and Preventive Measures to Avoid Them
Seasonal Factors
Damages to the sidewalks are mostly likely related to the extreme weather conditions of NYC. Let us tell you how each season impacts the sidewalks and becomes the reason for wear and tear.
Summer Season
Extremely hot temperatures during the summer can cause the concrete to expand, posing pressure on the adjacent slabs. This results in cracking the concrete. These cracks, whether minor or major, are the major cause of sidewalk damage.
Cracked Sidewalks: Over time and due to negligence, minor cracks can become major and can become a trip hazard.
Preventive Measures: To avoid the cracks from becoming bigger and leading to extensive sidewalk damages like water pooling, freeze-thaw cycles, soil erosion, and uneven slabs, it is best to fix them using epoxy or cement mortar.
Taking Professional Help: Hiring professional sidewalk contractors to fix the cracked sidewalks can provide you with long-lasting results and the peace of mind that you are not violating DOT regulations.
Spring Season
If you avoid fixing the cracked sidewalks that appeared during the summer season throughout the year, you might have to face the consequences in the spring.
Water Pooling: During spring, thunderstorms and rains can cause water to seep into the soil through the cracks. It can result in water pooling, which can be a major problem for sidewalks in the winter season.
Preventive Measures: Fixing the cracks is the most efficient preventive measure to stop the water from seeping in. If enough water has pooled beneath the sidewalks throughout the year, replace them because you never know how much damage the water has done to the soil.
Winter Season
The winter season can be the most rough on sidewalks, as not only the de-icing salts deteriorate the sidewalks but the snow water also seeps and might lead to a freeze-thaw cycle.
Freeze-Thaw Cycle: During the winter season, if the soil already has moisture, it can freeze and the freeze-thaw cycle starts. This continuous process erodes that soil and causes slabs to become uneven or sink.
Preventive Measures: To avoid freeze-thaw cycle, you must identify the signs of water pooling. Water damages the concrete surface and can fade its color. For extensively damaged and cracked sidewalks due to the continuous freeze-thaw cycle, it is best to get the sidewalks replaced with the help of professional experts.
Other Factors
Other than seasonal factors, there are some other causes of sidewalk damage. Let us have a look at these factors.
Tree Roots
Upward growth of three roots by the sidewalks can push the concrete upward and cause significant damage to it. If your sidewalks are damaged due to tree root growth, it is the responsibility of professional experts to fix them. You can reach out to them and apply for the repair program.
Preventive Measures: To avoid damages, you must hire professional experts for sidewalk installation near tree roots. Professionals use unique techniques to make the tree root grow in a downward direction and avoid future damage.
Drainage Issue
Poor drainage installation can cause the water to pool beneath the sidewalk surface and lead to freeze-thaw cycles and soil erosion.
Preventive Measure: Installing a proper drainage system with the help of a professional sidewalk repair contractor in New York is the most efficient choice.
Conclusion
Damaged sidewalks with cracks, uneven slabs, and chipping concrete can be a tripping hazard and lead to accidents and DOT violations. By taking preventive measures, you can avoid these damages and save yourself from expensive future repairs.
We hope that by reading this article, you better understand the types of damages that might occur to your sidewalks and can take efficient preventive measures to avoid them.