Importance of Sidewalk Curb Repair in NYC

According to NYC laws, sidewalk curbs are a part of your property. This means that you are responsible for building, repairing, and replacing your curbs. The curbs may get damaged due to various factors like extreme temperatures, tree roots, and the hitting of vehicles. So you need to repair them as per the DOT laws.

In this blog, you will learn about the importance of well-maintained curbs, the factors contributing to their damage, and solutions to repair them.

Reasons to Repair Sidewalk Curb

The reasons why the curbs need to be repaired are given below:

Protection of Pedestrians

Properly maintained curbs protect pedestrians like kids, the elderly, and people with disabilities from staying within the limits of the sidewalks. Without the curbs, there will be no definite physical boundary that keeps the pedestrian on the walking path. The vehicles can not enter the sidewalks due to the curbs.

Smooth Mobility of Wheelchairs

The wheels of wheelchairs and strollers are prone to sliding toward the road if the curbs are missing. To provide proper protection for them, the curbs must be installed and replaced regularly. The people with crutches and any heavy load also remain safe and protected.

Protection from Further Damage

If there are any minor cracks or gaps on the sidewalks, they are easier to repair. The cost of these repairs will be less. If you ignore these damages, it may lead to larger cracks, which will require more time and money.

Direct the Water Drainage

If there are spaces between the curbs, the rainwater will flow towards the roads. The roads will flood, especially in the rainy season. Hence, curbs must be repaired to allow proper channeling of water to the gutters.

Preserve Curb Appeal

The broken and damaged curbs are never appealing to the eyes. Slits, holes, and broken cement give an unfavorable look to the curbs. The curbs must be repaired to make sure that they always look neat and clean.

Added Property Value

Just like other structural features, the curbs play a part in determining the demand for your property. Well-maintained or repaired curbs are crucial if you wish that your house, building or working place has crucial value.

What Causes the Damage to Curbs?

The following are the major factors in the curb damage:

Surface erosion: As time passes, the erosion due to agents like wind and water breaks off the surfaces of the curbs. This cement erodes away, which causes structural damage to the sidewalks.

Tree Root Damage: The overgrown roots of the trees cause the curbs to rise up and displace from their position. Roots can also make deep cracks in the curbs.

Vehicle Bumps: Cars, trucks, and other heavy motor vehicles can bump into the curbs and cause them to partially or fully break.

Extreme Weather: The weather in New York has extreme summers, which cause the curb concrete to expand and crack. The severe winters cause the moisture to undergo a freeze-thaw cycle, thus damaging the curbs.

Solutions to Repair Your Sidewalk Curbs

Let's learn the tips and solutions to repair your curbs:

Repair minor damages

Being an early bird in this aspect is important. You must repair the cracks or fissures in your curbs in the early stages of damage. Your negligence in repair will lead to major damages like deep cracks and holes.

Use Quality Materials

The materials used to repair the curbs must be of high quality. You must use PS-4000 cement. You must also acquire popper tools and equipment.

Hire a professional

DIY is useful if your damage is very minor. But if you have no idea how to repair the curbs, you may worsen the damage. A professional contractor is useful in this aspect. He will repair the curbs efficiently and in much less time.

Conclusion

As a responsible resident of NYC, it is your responsibility to repair the curbs on the sidewalks. This will not only promote the beauty and maintenance of your property, but it will also ensure the safety of the pedestrians using your sidewalks.

If you are worried about your broken curbs, you can hire a professional contractor like Sidewalk Repairs Queens to take on the responsibility of repairing them.