For decades, concrete has been the most popular choice for sidewalks in major cities as well as small towns and suburbs. Concrete is economical and strong, and concrete sidewalks can last many decades; in New Jersey, for example, the estimated life of sidewalks made from concrete is around 75 years. However, achieving exceptional results requires the skills of an experienced concrete professional. At Marathon Solutions Group, we install a wide variety of concrete pavements in parts of Oklahoma and throughout the greater Houston area, including League City, Woodlands, Baytown, Katy, Conroe, Cypress, Pearland, Humble, and Kingwood.
How Do You Install Concrete Sidewalks?
The steps for installing any type of concrete flatwork do not vary a great deal. One exception is that sidewalks do not typically need to be reinforced with mesh or rebar. Normally, we adhere to the following guidelines when installing concrete sidewalks.
- Evaluate the properties of the soil that will lie under the sidewalk. Different soils have different reactions to fluctuations in the temperature or moisture. This can affect the stability and load-bearing properties of the sidewalk.
- If the soil is adequate, we will compact it thoroughly. If it is inadequate, we may need to amend it by removing and replacing some of it.
- Although there are some areas in Central Texas that do not require a base between the soil and the concrete, most areas do. Therefore, we typically construct an aggregate base. This helps correct minor defects underneath the base, and it also helps support the sidewalk more uniformly.
- We place the forms and pour the concrete slurry. We apply the finishing touches to roughen up the surface to enhance traction for pedestrians. We will return at a later date to remove the forms, usually within two or three days.
What Can Damage Concrete Sidewalks?
Well-engineered and properly constructed concrete sidewalks are not easily damaged. However, damage can occur. Typically, the source of the damage will involve neglected cracks, overloading, or tree roots.
- Neglected cracks allow water underneath the concrete. The water can erode the base, leading to more cracking or subsidence.
- Heavier loads than sidewalks are designed to bear can crack or chip the concrete.
- Tree roots are a common cause of uplifted slabs, cracks, and misaligned slabs.
How Do You Repair Concrete Sidewalks?
Concrete repairs depend on the type of damage that the sidewalk has suffered. The most common types of sidewalk damage are cracking, spalling, uplifting, and sinking.
- Cracks can frequently be patched or filled if they are not too severe.
- Spalling that goes no deeper than the top quarter of an inch of concrete can sometimes be repaired with a concrete patch.
- Uplifted or horizontally misaligned slabs usually require the removal and replacement of the slab.
- Slabs that have subsided may sometimes be lifted by pumping mud or foam beneath them.
Marathon Solutions Group installs and repairs concrete sidewalks in Houston. In addition, we install and repair concrete curbs, concrete ramps, concrete parking lots, and ADA-compliant concrete. We also offer asphalt paving and resurfacing, asphalt sealcoating, asphalt milling, asphalt crack repair, parking lot maintenance, bollard installation, thermoplastic markings, marking removal, parking lot restriping, asphalt pavement repairs, parking lot striping, and parking lot signage. We are a respected, experienced company with an outstanding reputation that is based on our exceptional workmanship and exemplary customer service. You can call 800-879-1147, email Sales@Marathon-Solutions.com, or submit our online form to request a free quote.
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