Common Types of Damage to NYC Sidewalks and Their Causes

Sidewalks are considered one of the most useful concrete structures for pedestrians. By keeping your sidewalks functional and accessible, you are creating a safe path for everyone, including people with disabilities. However, sidewalks can get damaged over time, just like any other building.
Maintaining your sidewalk on time protects yourself and your loved ones. Let us explore some causes of sidewalk damage and why it is important to repair them on time.

Causes of Sidewalk Damages

Some common reasons why your sidewalks might be getting damaged include:

The permit they get is a sidewalk opening permit from the Department of Transportation.

Flaws In The Foundation

A sidewalk's long-term health depends on how well the base is built. Problems can happen in the future because of mistakes made during construction.

Here are a few common ways that construction can damage sidewalks:

Soil That is Not Packed Down Enough

There needs to be a strong foundation. If the soil under the pavement is not packed down enough, it can settle unevenly, which can cause cracks, holes, and even the slab to sink all the way through.

Less Time to Cure

Curing is the process of making sure that concrete hardens properly. Cutting down on the curing time or not using enough curing techniques could make the concrete weaker and more likely to break and crack.

Poor Substances

When poor-quality concrete is used in construction, it can break down quickly. By using strong materials, you can make your walkways last a lot longer.

Not Enough Drainage

Water does a lot of damage to the concrete. If the drainage is not set up right, water can pool around a sidewalk and wear away at the base. Concrete can become uneven, flake off, and crack when it comes into contact with water.

Environmental Factors

Extreme weather like heavy rain, sleet, snow, or any other type of bad weather can be hard on even the best sidewalks. Discover how weather and other outside factors can damage sidewalks.

Freeze and Thaw cycles

When it gets cold, water that seeps through cracks in concrete may freeze and expand. This expansion puts a lot of stress on the concrete around it, making cracks bigger and the surface less level. Frequent freeze-thaw cycles can make sidewalks break down faster.

Extreme Heat

Additionally, warm weather can be a problem. When concrete gets too hot, it can expand and contract, which weakens the material over time and makes it more likely to break.

Tree Roots

Trees look great on our streets, but their roots can make it hard to walk in certain areas. As tree roots grow, they can put a lot of stress on the concrete, which can lead to cracks, unevenness, and even slabs rising. Furthermore, tree root damage can also cause pedestrians to trip and fall. Understand how tree roots damage sidewalks in NYC?

Erosion of Soil

Heavy rain can wash away the soil that supports the sidewalk. Usually, this happens when water seeps through and pools, causing the ground to settle and possibly collapse.

Inadequate Maintenance

Not taking care of your sidewalks could also lead to an early stage of wear and tear. Problems get worse over time and cost more to fix because of things like trash, overgrown plants, or small cracks.

Accidental Harm

Falling objects, putting concrete in the wrong place, or even just shoveling snow can damage sidewalks.

De-icing Material

De-icing salts and other rough chemicals can wear away at the surface of concrete, making it flake off.

Everyday Wear and Tear

Material Degradation

Concrete can break down naturally over time. The material breaks down and is more likely to get damaged when it is exposed to harsh weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and constant use.

Importance of Sidewalk Repair In NYC

Repairing your sidewalks on time can save you from hefty fines and violations. You can do the repairs by yourself or by hiring a professional sidewalk repair contractor. There are the following reasons given below why repairing your sidewalk is important.

Safety: When people walk on broken sidewalks, they put their safety at great risk. People can trip and fall on uneven or cracked surfaces, which can hurt them and put property owners at risk of legal trouble. NYC makes sure that its residents and visitors are safe by putting a high priority on maintaining its sidewalks. This lowers the risk of accidents and legal problems.
Ensuring Accessibility: People who have trouble moving around might find it hard to get around on cracked sidewalks. Accessibility problems, like uneven surfaces and obstacles, make it harder for older people and people with disabilities to move around. Fixing the sidewalks makes it easier for everyone to get around the city and promotes acceptance.
Economic Advantages: If sidewalks are not taken care of, people might not want to walk on them or support businesses nearby. Other flaws, like potholes and cracks, make the place look bad and could turn people away. On the other hand, fixing up sidewalks brings life to business areas, which helps businesses grow and boosts the economy.

Why Is Hiring A Concrete Repair Contractor Important?

Repairing your sidewalks on your own may look like a convenient and easy option but it can cost you hundreds of dollars. By hiring an expert sidewalk repair contractor in NYC, you can have peace of mind.
Professionals have years of experience, knowledge, and expertise, which means that your sidewalk repair is in good hands. Moreover, experts have extensive knowledge about DOT permits, processes, and fines, which can help you in the long run.

Conclusion

By learning about the common reasons why sidewalks wear down over time, you can quickly fix the problems. You can avoid more serious injuries and expensive repairs by fixing the sidewalks as soon as possible and stopping the damage from worsening.