Winter weather brings snow and freezing weather. But such conditions affect more than just your morning commute. Concrete sidewalks and walkways can take a beating from winter weather and constant use throughout the year.
Regular untreated concrete walkways absorb water, chip, crack and stain from anything that touches the surface. As you prepare for winter, make a point to inspect the concrete in your walkways or sidewalks.
If you have uneven or cracked walkways, consider scheduling walkways repair before the winter sets in. But why repair your walkways before winter? Keep reading to learn more.
Safety
If the concrete slabs in your walkways have cracks or an uneven surface, the danger of tripping hazards is greater, as most falls happen in the winter. Besides tripping hazards, leaving cracked or uneven concrete slabs makes clearing snow twice as hard.
When clearing walkways with uneven slabs, you may end up hitting the uneven spots with your shovel. This could not only break your shovel but potentially lead to injuries. Uneven concrete also adds wear and tear to your snowblower.
More importantly, anyone walking on your walkways before you’ve had the chance to clear it may not notice the uneven slab until it’s too late, causing them to trip and fall. Such accidents may lead to lengthy lawsuits that could cost you time, money, and headaches.
Scheduling walkways repair or leveling can help avoid this problem.
Things May Only Get Worse
Winter is the worst time to leave concrete surfaces untreated. As water from snow and ice gets into cracked and uneven places in your concrete walkway, it can do some serious damage. Ice expands, so your concrete walkways will only get worse.
What may seem like a minor issue will only worsen over time until you eventually have to invest in walkways or sidewalk replacement.
Property Value and Aesthetics
Your walkways are among the first things people see when they approach your property. A nice, clean, and aesthetically appealing walkway makes a good first impression on guests, strangers, and neighbors.
A concrete walkway with cracks, bumps, or uneven surfaces creates an eyesore that robs your property of its curb appeal. Walkways repair like poly leveling or slab jacking can make a significant impact on your property’s aesthetic appeal and resale value.
Are you planning to put your property on the market? Let us help you make your property attractive to potential buyers.
What Causes Cracked or Uneven Walkways?
According to experts, uneven walkways occur when the concrete installation contractor doesn’t properly compact the soil beneath the sidewalk slab. That allows moisture and ice to form beneath the surface and cause it to expand as it freezes, lifting and cracking the concrete.
Once the slab eventually falls back into place, it’s often misaligned, causing an uneven surface. During winter, snow, and ice fall into the cracks already present, and the water continues to damage the concrete. When the water turns into ice and expands, it only worsens the issue.
Fixing Uneven and Cracked Walkways
Contrary to popular opinion, using chloride salt and deicers to facilitate melting and reduce slipperiness caused by snow can increase the chance of cracks and scaling. The best way to avoid many concrete problems is to hire experts to install your concrete floor.
Only a seasoned expert will ensure proper soil preparation, concrete mixing, and laying. If you’ve already purchased a property with damaged concrete, you may have to deal with the consequences of sloppy work.
However, you can stop or reduce cracking by filling the cracks to prevent water absorption or sealing the concrete regularly. Driveway coatings and sealers, for example, make your floor water-resistant, which may limit cracking.
Schedule Your Walkways Repair Today
At BadAss Garage Floors, we proudly offer walkways repair services that restore your concrete walkways to their original condition. We’ve been serving the Atlanta area for over a decade and know what it takes to do the job right.
We work with top industry brands, but our first loyalty is to the customer and their project needs. When you come to us for walkways repair to sidewalk leveling, we’ll recommend a custom solution for your unique needs. We also offer a lifetime warranty on residential installations and a 10% military discount.
Do you have a cracked, uneven, or damaged walkway that needs professional attention? Let us help you assess the extent of the damage and explore your options for walkways repair. Call BadAss Garage Floors at (678) 713-4348 to request a free quote.
