If you own or work in an older facility, you know how frustrating it can be to navigate walkways with cracks and holes. Not only are these defects tripping hazards, but they also make your facility look unkempt and worn-down to your clients and patients. If your concrete walkway needs to be replaced, there are several tell-tale signs that indicate this need. Here are seven signs as listed by experts from Rock Form Group that you should consider replacing your facility’s walkway concrete before more serious damage occurs.
The Uneven Sidewalk
To replace or not to replace? Is your sidewalk tilting and cracking, but you can’t seem to muster up enough energy to get it fixed? Take these seven signs as evidence that you should consider replacing your walkway sooner rather than later. Even if you don’t live in an area with constant freeze-thaw cycles (which can wreak havoc on concrete), frequent heavy traffic combined with freezing temperatures over time can cause deterioration in even well-made concrete slabs.
Narrow Cracks in the Concrete
Small cracks in concrete are usually not something to worry about, but if they grow larger over time and begin to create a tripping hazard for customers, it’s time to consider replacing or concrete pumping Sydney your walkway. Wider cracks (about 1/4-inch wide) may also indicate that moisture is finding its way into concrete. If left untreated, water can eventually start to soften cement enough that chunks will fall out.
Cracks with Daylight Visible Through Them
Sometimes you’ll notice cracks in your concrete walkways. This is usually nothing to worry about; concrete is pretty durable stuff, and concrete cracks often form over time and from wear-and-tear. But if you find cracks with daylight visible through them, it may be time to replace your walkway.
Uneven Pavers, Tiles or Brick
If you notice that your walkway is uneven, it’s possible that underlying supporting structure needs to be repaired. Whether or not you choose to replace your walkway, it’s important to have any issues addressed immediately. If there are cracks in your walkway, they may get worse over time and can lead to serious injury as well as further damage. Even if you have proper lighting, loose pavers or bricks can make footing dangerous; trip and fall injuries cost businesses roughly $50 billion per year!
Uneven Shifting Of Bricks during Freeze
This can cause cracks to form in your walkway. If you notice that pieces of your walkway are becoming loose, that’s an indication of shifting bricks. When it’s warm outside and there’s moisture on your walkway, look for water seeping out of it as well as concrete crumbling around cracks.
All these signs indicate shifts occurring within your walkway, which is why it should be replaced before any structural damage can occur to other areas of your facility.
For further queries on concrete pumping or replacement, please get in touch with rock form group Sydney.
The author is a construction project manager in a reputed construction company Sydney, offering a comprehensive package tailored to suit your construction services that include formwork, steel fixing, concreting and wall systems. Visit https://rockform.com.au/ for more details on Rockform Group.