Sidewalk Damage Photos | Construction Defects

Note: Age, maintenance schedule, and site characteristics are important factors in evaluating concrete. Concrete pavement and flatwork have a specific design life with required maintenance, meaning they will ultimately fail at the end of their serviceability period. If problems appear shortly after installation, it is important to consider how and why the concrete started to deteriorate prematurely.

Examples of
Sidewalk Damage

SEPARATIONS

Wide separation between curb and sidewalk, which creates a tripping hazard.

DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

Standing water allows moisture to seep in and weaken the soil, often resulting in the settlement of sidewalks.

White staining on sidewalk in the summer.

SURFACE STAINING

Stains on concrete surfaces can indicate a drainage problem coming from upstream areas.

HEAVE

Heaved sections of concrete are common in areas that are experiencing drainage problems.

SPALLING AT JOINT

Spalling commonly starts at joints and spreads outward. Spalled sidewalks must be replaced.

SEVERE SPALLING

This magnitude of spalling is typically caused by the application of deicing chemicals.

STRESS CRACKS

Stress cracks are caused by weakened soil below the sidewalk, often due to drainage problems.

MINOR SPALLING

Spallling gets worse over time.

Separation, gap, between sections of concrete.

SEPARATION BETWEEN SECTIONS OF SIDEWALK

Separations between sections of concrete can be tripping hazards.

TRIPPING HAZARDS

Cracked and diselevated concrete sidewalks should be replaced.

SPALLING AT JOINT AND SEPARATION

Severe spalling and separations in sidewalks are tripping hazards.

NO ISOLATION JOINT

Isolation joints should be always installed between the porch and stairs or between porch and sidewalk.

REPLACED SECTION OF SIDEWALK

Problematic drainage often causes damage to concrete sidewalks, and sections have to be replaced.

SPALLING AT JOINT

Spalling at joints can be a tripping hazard and, the affected concrete sections should be replaced.

TRIPPING HAZZARD

Some tripping hazards may be repaired by grinding the concrete down to an acceptable level.

TRANSVERSE CRACKS

This type of cracking is indicative of a weakened soil (subgrade) underneath the sidewalk.

MINOR SPALLING

Spalling typically progresses and gets worse with time.

CRACK BETWEEN STAIRS AND SIDEWALK

Sidewalk constructed on soil that has not been adequately compacted often settles and cracks.

DISELEVATION

Heaving or settlement of concrete sidewalk sections are tripping hazards.

REPAIRS

Attempted repairs to separations in concrete with sealant often fail to curtail damage.

EXTREME CASE OF SPALLING

This type of spalling is typically caused by salts or chemicals used in deicers.

Previously repaired spalled concrete at joint.

REPAIR OF SPALLED CONCRETE

Repairing concrete spalling does not work. Sections have to be replaced.

PROPER SLOPE OF SIDEWALK IS IMPORTANT

For proper drainage, the sidewalk must have an adequate slope to shed water from the surface.

SPALLING

If the concrete is not placed correctly, spalling on concrete surfaces can appear shortly after construction.

HEAVE

Heaved sections of sidewalk can be a tripping hazard.

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Examples of Sidewalk Damage

Examples of
Sidewalk Damage