Surface preparation | Ways of eliminating trip hazards
Trip hazards are a common phenomenon, and they usually occur as a result of ground compaction, root growth or even weather changes. It's when concrete slabs meet and one of them is at a different level from the other. This increases the probability of someone tripping over it. If you've got a walkway with trip hazards, then you may be wondering about the best way to get rid of it. Here are some of the most recognized options.
Replace the slabs
One method of getting rid of a trip hazard is completely removing the concrete slabs of the affected area, levelling the ground and then replacing the slabs with new ones. This technique is suitable when the levels of the slabs differ by a couple of inches. Trying to grind too much concrete off a slab reduces its strength and increases the chances of breakage. You'll also benefit from this technique if your sidewalk has multiple cracks within a small area.
However, ripping out and replacing the slabs is extremely expensive. Additionally, it also disturbs the ground underneath, and the concrete may settle differently as compared to when it was poured. This causes another uneven area.
Concrete raising
This process involves injecting polyurethane foam underneath the concrete slabs. Holes are drilled into the concrete slabs, and the foam is pumped at the areas where the concrete dipped. This foam then expands and fills up the voids present beneath the slabs causing it to rise back to its original position.
The best part about this process is that it takes place within minutes. The polyurethane cures very fast, and the sidewalk would be ready to handle traffic almost immediately. However, the holes made on the concrete slabs may not look so good even after patching them up.
Concrete grinding
Another popular way of fixing trip hazards is through concrete grinding. This technique is perfect for scenarios where the concrete is still in good condition. It's usually the best choice in many circumstances. Here, grinding is done to the uneven part of the concrete bringing the concrete slabs back to uniform levels.
One great advantage of this technique is that it doesn't interfere with the underlying landscape. For instance, you won't have to kill the roots of perfectly good trees if they were the cause of the trip hazard. This procedure is also very fast and cheap. As a plus, you'll also have your concrete surface polished, making it look smooth and attractive. Contact a company like Nova-Cut Concrete Sawing Pty Ltd for more information.
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