Well maintained sidewalks are a hallmark of a safe and clean community. Well maintained sidewalks provide a safe place for people to walk. They also give a very nice aesthetic look. You are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of your home. The following are a few tips on how to keep your walkways looking pristine.

Keep Them Clean

Nothing makes a home look more unkempt than weeds and grass growing over the edge of the sidewalk and through the cracks. Edge your lawn regularly to prevent plants growing over your walkway. Pull out any plants that start growing in the cracks. If left alone, the roots of these plants can crack and destroy the concrete. If you regularly sweep away the dirt from your sidewalk, plants will have a hard time growing over it. If there is snow, keep your sidewalk clear of snow and ice. As snow melts and refreezes, it can cause cracks. Don’t just rely on salt, too much salt can cause the concrete to deteriorate.

Keeping Them Level

A level sidewalk is very important. Serious injuries come as a result of 20% of falls, which are the most common cause of TBI’s. When the concrete is laid, workers go to painstaking efforts to ensure that it is laid flat and smooth. Over time however, plant roots, ice, and erosion can cause level sidewalks to become uneven. You can help prevent this by maintaining the sealing in between the concrete slabs. This prevents water from getting under the slab, freezing, and lifting the concrete. There are several methods that can be used to fix concrete that is not level. If you are not experienced with concrete, it’s probably best to hire a professional.

Repair When Necessary

If your sidewalk is full of cracks and crumbling portions, you should get it repaired. But you should do more than just lay a new slab of concrete. Talk to a concrete specialist to determine the cause of the damage. It may just be old age; in which case it just needs to be replaced. But if the problem has to do with excessive erosion, or plant roots, you will need to take steps to fix the underlying problem. If you don’t, you’ll find that your newly laid concrete will develop the same problems as what you had before.

Maintaining your sidewalks doesn’t have to be hard work as long as you stay on top of things. It may seem like a chore, but you will appreciate the aesthetic that it gives to the front of your home. You will also be protecting the community from accidents. You don’t want an elderly person or a young child getting hurt because your sidewalk is in bad repair.