Concrete Walkways in East Providence, RI

What does installing a concrete walkway involve?

Installing a concrete walkway means removing the old walk or sod, preparing a firm base, and pouring a new path at a steady grade. We lay out the route, dig down, and compact a layer of crushed stone. Forms set the width and edges. The concrete is poured, finished with a broom texture for grip, and cut with control joints every few feet so cracks form in straight lines.

Walks are usually four inches of air-entrained concrete, the freeze-resistant kind of mix that outdoor concrete standards from the American Concrete Institute call for in cold climates. We make them wide enough for two people or a wheelbarrow, and we pitch them slightly to one side so water runs off instead of freezing in a sheet.

When does a walkway need to be replaced?

A walkway needs replacing when it's become a hazard or keeps getting worse. Watch for:

• Raised edges between sections that catch toes and snow shovels.
• Low spots that hold water and turn into ice patches.
• Sections lifted by tree roots.
• A walk that slopes toward the house and sends water to the foundation.
• Old slate or brick walks with pieces missing or loose.

Why do walkways heave and sink?

Walkways are thin and light, so the ground moves them easily. Frost is the main cause. When wet soil freezes, it expands and pushes a section up. When it thaws, the section settles back, rarely in the same spot. After a few winters, neighboring sections sit at different heights.

Trees are the second cause. Plenty of older streets in Rumford and Riverside have big shade trees whose roots spread well past the sidewalk and into front yards. As a root thickens, it lifts whatever is on top of it. The third cause is how the walk was built. Many older walks were poured directly on the dirt with no stone base, so they had nothing to keep them steady.

What affects the cost of a concrete walkway?

Walkway cost depends mainly on length and width, whether an old walk has to come out, and how much base work the ground needs. Curves take more form work than a straight run. Cutting and removing tree roots, where it's safe for the tree, adds time. Stamped or colored finishes cost more than broom finish. Steps along the route, or a walk that meets the stoop at the top of the walk, add form work too. We'll give you a written estimate after we've walked the route.

Should you repair or replace a walkway?

A walkway can sometimes be repaired when only one or two sections are off and the cause is gone. A single heaved section can be cut out and repoured. If most of the walk is uneven, or roots are still pushing it up, full replacement is better, because the problem will keep moving from section to section. Grinding down a raised edge is a short-term fix that leaves the root or frost problem in place.

Walkway questions

How wide should a front walkway be?

A front walkway is most comfortable at about four feet wide, enough for two people side by side. Side and back walks can be narrower. We'll look at the space and how you use it before recommending a width.

Can a walkway connect my driveway and back yard?

Yes. We often run a walk from the driveway along the side of the house to a backyard slab or the back door, so you're not crossing wet grass or mud.

Will a new walk match my driveway?

If we're pouring the walk at the same time as a new driveway pour, the concrete and finish match from day one. Next to older concrete, the new walk starts lighter and darkens over the first year or two.