Concrete Sidewalks & Walkways

Why Concrete for Sidewalks and Walkways

Concrete is the standard for sidewalks and walkways for good reason. It handles foot traffic, weather, and time better than most alternatives. Asphalt cracks and fades. Pavers shift and grow weeds between the joints. Gravel tracks everywhere and needs constant raking. Concrete stays put and requires almost no maintenance once it's installed properly.

In Pomona, we see a lot of older sidewalks with cracks, uneven sections, and trip hazards. Tree roots push up slabs. Poor drainage causes erosion underneath. Cheap installations from years ago are now safety risks. When we install new sidewalks and walkways, we address all those issues from the start so you don't have problems later.

Concrete also gives you design flexibility. You can add borders, curves, stamped patterns, or color to make your walkways stand out. Decorative concrete lets you match your home's style while keeping all the strength and durability of standard concrete.

How We Install Sidewalks and Walkways

A sidewalk or walkway that lasts starts with proper preparation. Here's what we do:

• •Layout and design: We measure and mark the path, accounting for drainage, slopes, and any obstacles like trees or utilities.
• •Excavation: We dig out the path to the right depth, typically 6 to 8 inches, and remove roots, rocks, and debris.
• •Base layer: We add and compact a gravel or crushed stone base for drainage and stability.
• •Forms and slope: We build forms to define the edges and add a slight slope so water runs off instead of pooling.
• •Concrete pour: We pour high-quality concrete and use tools to smooth and finish the surface.
• •Control joints: We cut or form joints every few feet to control where cracks form so they stay small and out of sight.
• •Curing and sealing: We let the concrete cure properly and apply sealer if needed to protect the surface.

Cutting corners on any of these steps leads to problems. If the base isn't compacted, the sidewalk will settle. If drainage isn't right, water will undermine the slab. If curing is rushed, the concrete will be weak. We do it right the first time.

Public Sidewalk Compliance

If your sidewalk is adjacent to the street, it's considered public property and must meet city standards. The city of Pomona has specific requirements for width, slope, materials, and accessibility. If you're replacing a damaged public sidewalk, you may need permits and inspections.

We handle the permit process and make sure your new sidewalk meets all local codes. That includes ADA compliance for slopes and width, proper drainage, and correct thickness. We've worked with the city on dozens of sidewalk projects and know what they expect.

For private walkways on your property, the rules are more flexible. You have more freedom with design, width, and finishes. Whether it's a front entry walkway or a path through your garden, we'll build it to your specifications while making sure it's safe and functional.

Repair and Replacement Options

Not every damaged sidewalk needs full replacement. Sometimes we can repair or resurface sections to extend the life of the existing concrete. If the damage is isolated to one or two slabs, we can remove and replace just those sections. If the surface is worn but the base is still solid, we can apply a concrete overlay or resurfacing.

However, if the sidewalk has widespread cracking, settling, or trip hazards, replacement is usually the better investment. We'll assess your sidewalk and give you honest advice on whether repair or replacement makes more sense for your situation. Our concrete repair services cover everything from minor fixes to complete tear-outs and reinstalls.

Tree roots are a common cause of sidewalk damage. If roots are pushing up your sidewalk, we can work with a tree service to trim roots safely and then replace the affected sections with thicker concrete and root barriers to prevent future problems.