As a homeowner, you know how important it is to keep your property in good shape. Just like other areas of your home, routine maintenance should be performed on your sidewalk. In some cases, a sidewalk will need to be replaced altogether. The following four signs are a clear indication it is time for you to get a new sidewalk.
Cracks
Cracking is a common issue with both asphalt and concrete. In some cases, ice, grease, and other substances get between cracks and cause them to grow. If you live in an area where winter freezing is common, water will often seep into cracks and can cause major damage to sidewalks once frozen.
It may be possible to repair small cracks in your sidewalk. However, if cracks are especially wide, long, or deep, it is better to replace the sidewalk.
Water Pooling
Water will not cause much damage to a sidewalk that is in good condition. But this fact will change when your sidewalk is uneven or has some other problem that causes water to pool in some spots. The concrete of your sidewalk will eventually begin to weaken where the water pools and you will see more cracks and holes in the concrete.
There are alterations that can be made to the sidewalk to prevent water from pooling. However, it is a good idea to first replace a sidewalk that has been damaged by water.
Tree Roots
Uncontrolled tree roots can cause a lot of damage to your sidewalk. Tree roots that sprout from the ground can cause the panels of your sidewalk to be lifted from the ground. Fixing the damage to the sidewalk is a must. However, you will also have to do something to avoid future damage from the tree. One suggestion is to add curves or otherwise change the shape of the tree so that it is out of the way of the tree roots. A second option is to remove the tree that is causing the problem and replant it elsewhere.
Rough Appearance
It is common for the sun’s UV rays to cause concrete to fade in color over time. To the eye, this damage appears to be only cosmetic. However, UV sunrays can also weaken the structure of your sidewalk. You can try to repair the damage done by the sun to your driveway if you only need to restore the concrete to its original appearance. But if there are any questions regarding the driveway’s durability, it should be replaced.
The Bottom Line
It is as important to monitor the look and durability of your driveway as it is to do the same for other areas of your home and yard. And while many small problems that can occur with a driveway can be repaired, the four problems profiled above are good indicators your driveway needs to be replaced.
