An uneven sidewalk can cause discomfort for pedestrians. Made with slabs and concrete, the sidewalk can become uneven due to tree-root growth, poor water drainage in the soil, and other factors. This can cause people to trip or stumble over the sidewalk as they walk. Leveling a side work is not a difficult task; it just involves a flooring technician and someone to assist with the lifting and other things.
How to level a sidewalk
- Determine the uneven side
First, you determine which side of the sidewalk is uneven. If any side of the slab concrete on the sidewalk tilts 3 inches or more above or below the rest of the concrete slab, then that area needs some leveling.
- Dig Holes Around The Slab
Dig holes around the uneven slab. When digging the holes, ensure it’s wider than the shovel blade so that it’ll be easy to push the shovel under the slab. If the shovel is not strong enough to push the slab, you can grab other objects like the iron rod to help you pry up the unlevel concrete slab.
- Use the iron rod to pry up the slab
Place the iron rod under the slab through the hole you dug, then push down on the rod. This movement will lift the slab except you’re not positioning the rod well. In this case, dig out more soil until you get a better position for the rod.
Also, you may have to turn around the slab with the rod, lifting each edge to get it out of the ground. While doing this, ensure you have a helper who places wooden blocks beneath the sides of the slab to avoid it from coming down.
Ensure you have a steady hold of the iron rod so the concrete slab doesn’t fall back into the ground as it can cause injury to your helper. Repeat this process till you’re able to put wooden blocks on all four sides of the slab and the slab is 8 inches above the ground.
- Pour Concrete Mix Into The Hole You Dug
Prepare the right quantity of concrete and cement. Ensure you mix it to an appropriate texture; add the right amount of water. Have a helper assist you with pouring the mix of concrete and cement into the hole and use the shovel to spread the mixture throughout the hole. Ensure to leave a small quantity of mixture to seal any opening after installing the concrete slab back.
- Install The Concrete Slab Back In Position
Remove the wooden blocks beneath the concrete slab slowly as you lower back into position. Do this gently so that the slab doesn’t fall and injure anyone. When the slab touches down, press each side gently into the mixture until the slab is even with the rest of the sidewalk.
Conclusion
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Contact us today to learn more about our services!