Sidewalks & Walkways
Sidewalks and walkways provide safe and easy access to your property. Wheather they are poured concrete, pavers, or a natural stone, they need to be safe, level and well maintained.
When they become uneven, heave, crumble, expansion cracks grow or when they settle, safety becomes a concern. An uneven surface can create a fall risk and as a property owner an injury liability risk.
The average life span of concrete or cement (that was mixed and poured properly) in the Omaha, Council Bluffs area is 25 to 35 years. Over time, our extream weather swings, water, and use all take a tole. The presure of constant use, our intense freeze thaw cycle and moisture eventually cause cracks. The addition of fuel spills, oil, deicing salt slowly penetrate the surface and can widen cracks, or cause the surface to crumble.
Heaving concrete is a perptual problem in Omaha and Council Bluffs. Depending on the moisture content in the soil, when the ground freezes it expands, which causes increased pressure on the slab and eventually cracks and an uneven serface can make your sidewalk a trip hazars.
Crumbling concrete is often one of the more unsightly failures. Whenever you see a concrete or cement surface that has crumbled or looks like it has almost turned back into gravel it usually is a sign that the original mix contained excess water. Too much water in the mix pours easy and originally looks like it creates a smooth top finish. Underneath the surface that excess water creates tiny pockets in the mix that will eventually dry leaving a void that over time cracks and crumbles.
Why does a sidewalk need expansion joints?
The shear weight of concrete creates a tremendous amount of pressure and downward force. Expansion joints are a controlled way to help relieve that pressure. In other words, it is a planned crack in the concrete.
Like everything else around it concrete will shrink in extremely warm and hot weather and expand in extremely cold weather. This freeze thaw cycle is why we need expansion joints. Moisture eventually seeps into and around the concrete slab. When the temperature drops that moisture freezes, as it freezes, it expands, without the expansion joint to allow the concrete to expand the slab it would eventually heave or crumble or crack to releave the built up pressure.
Settling cracks
Over time, moisture seeps around and under concrete / cement slabs. During heavy rains and extended wet weather, moisture settles at the lowest point creating a channel under the slab.
Even if the sub-surface is sand or gravel and expertly prepared, over time, water always wins. Flowing water creates voids underneath the concrete. The weight of the concrete and the pressure from constant use eventually weaken the slab and a crack forms. Before you know it, one end of your slab has dropped several inches, thanks to the weight of the concrete itself.
Questions
Here are several key questions you need to ask yourself about your project. What factors determine it is time to invest in a new sidewalk or walkway? What if I want something other than a concrete/cement sidewalk?