The Impact of Weather on Sidewalk Integrity in NYC

Extreme weather conditions impact the sidewalks in different ways. Whether it is the winter season, summer, or fall, you will observe that your concrete structures get affected after exposure.

During the summer, the concrete slabs expand, exert pressure on the adjoining slabs and create cracks. Similar to this, rain seeps through these cracks in the fall, absorbs it, and damages the soil.

In winter, this water can freeze, leading to a freeze-thaw cycle that causes the slabs to sink. The only way to prevent these damages is by taking proactive measures and hiring professional experts.

Breaking Down the Impact of Summer’s on Sidewalks

The damage to your sidewalks usually starts with small cracks that appear on the surface during concrete expansion. High temperatures cause the concrete to expand and exert pressure on the adjacent slabs. 

The external pressures lead to the formation of cracks. Avoiding minor cracks formed during the summer will lead to extensive damage in the coming seasons.

Repairs for Damages Caused During Summers

Regular inspections of sidewalks allow you to identify the cracks at an early stage. If the cracks are small, you can opt for resealing the surface to avoid extensive damage in the future.

However, if the cracks are deep, take professional help. Expert sidewalk contractors inspect the surface, remove the existing damaged concrete, prepare the soil, and pour new concrete. 

How Does Fall Weather Affect Sidewalks?

If the sidewalks are already cracked, rainwater will seep through and pool beneath the surface. The presence of water erodes the soil and makes the base of the concrete weak. It led to sinking of concrete.

Repairs for Damages Caused During Fall

Soil erosion is a major damage and requires timely repairs. As the sidewalks sink due to soil erosion, an efficient method is to remove the existing slab and prepare the base again. Moreover, professional experts also use mudjacking or slab jacking methods to lift the sidewalk and make it even.

How Does Winter Weather Impact the Condition of Your Sidewalk?

Winters can cause the most damage to sidewalks. Sometimes poor drainage, broken utilities, and rainwater can pool beneath the surface. Moisture present in the soil freezes and expands. It is a common reason why deep cracks appear on the surface. Moreover, the continued freeze-thaw cycle erodes the soil and leads to the sinking of concrete.You can check current weather conditions and forecasts on Weather.gov to stay informed.

The use of de-icing salts during the winter season also causes damage to the sidewalks. Harsh chemicals and de-icing materials damage the concrete surface.

Repairs for Damages Caused During Winter

To avoid extensive damage from water pooling and freeze-thaw cycles, it is essential to seek professional help. The most common approach to fixing issues caused by the freeze-thaw cycle is to inspect the root cause of water pooling and fix it.

Moreover, to avoid damages caused by deicing salts, start investing in good-quality and less harsh chemicals.

Preventive Measures to Save Your Sidewalks From Severe Weather

Taking preventive measures can save your sidewalks from extensive damage. Let us tell you some steps you can take.

• Regularly inspect the sidewalks to identify big problems like cracks, potholes, sinking of concrete, or discoloration.
• Hire professional sidewalk experts to fix minor damages by sealing and resurfacing.
• Use less harsh deicing chemicals for snow removal
• Installing rain barrels to prevent rainwater from seeping into the soil is an efficient choice.
• Plant trees near your walkways to prevent moisture accumulation in the soil.

Conclusion

Different weather conditions can have different impacts on the sidewalks. But by taking proactive measures and identifying the root cause of the damage at an early stage, you can save it from extensive damages.

Whether it is winter, summer, fall, or spring, regularly inspect your sidewalks and take immediate action to fix the damages. Reach out to Sidewalk Contractor Manhattan today and get a free quote for DOT-compliant sidewalk repairs.