During the summer, you’re more likely to be spending time outdoors, so any damage to your sidewalks that could potentially cause injuries becomes much more likely to be a problem.
If the sidewalks leading from your driveway to your door or from your patio around your backyard are in worse shape than you would like them to be, this is a good season to tackle that problem. During the summer, you’re more likely to be spending time outdoors, so any damage to your sidewalks that could potentially cause injuries becomes much more likely to be a problem. Plus, if you knowingly have sidewalks that could cause injury to people and you don’t attempt to fix them, you could be in trouble with your homeowners’ insurance. So if you have sidewalks that have damage, read on for some important information.
Sidewalk Damage Usually Occurs Gradually
Generally, masonry is one of the strongest, most sturdy, and most sustainable building techniques available today. Masonry will send the test of time. But this doesn’t mean that it’s impervious to damage. Like anything, masonry can be damaged over time especially when it’s not taken care of. Even a small crack can eventually become a big problem once water gets into it during the winter. The continuous cycle of freezing and thawing makes cracks bigger until eventually they become huge and dangerous problems.
Sidewalk Damage Comes In Different Forms
The most obvious sidewalk damage that you’re going to notice will be small (and perhaps large if you ignore them) cracks along the surface of the sidewalk. Cracks in the surface or body of the sidewalk aren’t the only places that your sidewalks experience damage though. Another common area that gets damaged is the edges: the edges are prone to wear and breaking, especially in high-traffic areas, and worn edges easily become tripping hazards. Finally, the other common sidewalk damage that you need to watch out for is a depression in the surface of the sidewalk. These can become tripping or slipping hazards any time of year, but especially if they fill with water and freeze during the winter.
Get Your Sidewalks Professionally Repaired
The best thing that you can do as a homeowner to protect your sidewalks is to inspect them regularly. If you do notice signs of damage, such as small cracks or fractures, suspiciously puddling water, or small chunks of concrete breaking off, call a professional out as soon as possible. The faster you get the problem taken care of, the better. Like most hardscaping jobs, don’t be tempted to try to DIY this job – have the professionals fix it so you know it is done right. Having the repairs done professionally will save you time, possibly money, and stress in the long run. It is simply not worth the potential liability if you do it incorrectly.
Lanham Construction For All Your Construction Needs
Lanham Construction is an award-winning and dependable construction company dedicated to serving your home or business with whichever construction project you have in mind. Our professional team is eager to serve customers throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. When you pick Lanham, you won’t ever have to worry about the process. We’re here to help every step of the way.