Commercial Concrete, Sidewalk, Curb and Ramp Repair

If it fails: the first hour

What the site contact should do before the technician arrives.

Cone off or tape the hazard immediately
Photograph the height difference with a ruler or coin for scale
Reroute foot traffic if possible
Call for a same-day grind or temporary patch if full repair cannot happen immediately

What fails

Trip hazards at slab jointsAdjacent concrete slabs settle at different rates, leaving a raised or sunken lip at the joint that catches feet and wheels.

Spalling and surface flakingWater intrusion, freeze-thaw cycling, or exposure to deicing salt breaks the surface layer of concrete loose, leaving a rough, pitted texture.

Cracking from settling or root intrusionUneven soil settling or tree roots pushing up from underneath crack slabs, sometimes gradually and sometimes suddenly after a hard freeze.

Curb damage from vehicle contactCars and trucks clipping curbs at parking spaces and drive lanes chip, crack, or fully break curb sections over time.

ADA ramp slope non-complianceSettling or an originally out-of-spec pour can put a ramp's slope outside the maximum allowed grade, which is both a compliance issue and a fall risk.

Expansion joint failureThe flexible material in expansion joints dries out and cracks, letting water into the joint and accelerating slab movement on either side.

Scaling from deicing salt exposureRepeated salt application in winter climates degrades the surface finish of concrete, leaving it rough and prone to further water damage.

Loading dock apron crackingThe concrete apron at a loading dock takes repeated heavy point loads from trailer wheels and forklifts, cracking faster than a standard sidewalk slab.

What a service call includes

Identify trip hazards and prioritize by fall risk and liability exposure
Grind down raised joints for a same-day fix on minor height differences
Mudjack or polyurethane-lift settled slabs rather than replacing them where the concrete itself is sound
Saw-cut and replace individual damaged slabs without disturbing the surrounding pavement
Repair or replace damaged curb sections
Verify and correct ADA ramp slope and landing dimensions
Reseal expansion joints to keep water out
Patch spalled or scaled surfaces where the underlying slab is structurally sound

Preventive checklist

The items a maintenance program should carry for this system. Build a combined checklist across systems with the checklist builder.

Spring

Inspect for winter freeze-thaw cracking and spalling
Check expansion joints for dried or missing sealant

Fall

Reseal joints before winter moisture and freeze cycles begin
Address any settling before deicing salt season

Annual

Full sidewalk and curb condition walk
ADA ramp slope measurement check
Loading dock apron inspection under load

What it costs

item	typical range	what moves it
Trip hazard grinding (per joint)	$75 to $200	A same-day fix for height differences within grindable limits.
Slab mudjacking or polyurethane lift	$300 to $800 per slab	Polyurethane lifting costs more per slab but cures faster and weighs less than mudjacking.
Slab replacement (per slab)	$500 to $1,500	Price depends on slab size, thickness, and access for equipment.
Curb repair or replacement (per linear foot)	$20 to $50	Full replacement costs more than patching a chipped section.
ADA ramp reconstruction	$1,500 to $4,000	Cost depends on ramp length and whether the landing and handrails also need work.

National ranges. Local labor, access, after-hours timing and materials move them. Multi-site programs usually price below one-off calls.

When this is an emergency

A trip hazard or a broken ramp on an active pedestrian path counts as an emergency due to fall risk and liability exposure.

How to choose a provider

Ask whether the provider offers same-day grinding for minor trip hazards rather than only full replacement
Confirm they measure ADA ramp slope with proper tools rather than checking by eye
Ask about mudjacking or polyurethane lifting as a lower-cost alternative to full slab replacement
Get a quote that itemizes each slab, curb section, or ramp rather than one lump sum
Ask how they document trip hazard repairs for the liability record

Questions

How much height difference at a joint counts as a trip hazard?

Many municipal and insurance guidelines flag differences as small as a quarter to half an inch, though the exact threshold varies by jurisdiction and insurer.

Is mudjacking as durable as full slab replacement?

Mudjacking and polyurethane lifting work well when the slab itself is structurally sound and just needs to be releveled. A cracked or crumbling slab needs replacement instead.

Why does the same joint keep lifting again after repair?

Ongoing soil movement, tree roots, or poor drainage underneath the slab can cause repeat settling even after a successful lift, which usually means the underlying cause needs to be addressed too.

What slope is required for an ADA-compliant ramp?

Accessible ramps generally cannot exceed a 1:12 rise-to-run ratio, with tighter limits on cross-slope, and a technician familiar with the requirement can measure and confirm compliance.