According to various estimates, New York has over 12,000 miles of sidewalks. People walk on it to go about their daily lives. Smooth, even, and debris-free sidewalk creates safe passages for pedestrians. Sidewalk maintenance is an important factor that many property owners neglect. You should know that NYC sidewalk repair is your responsibility especially if you own a property in NYC.
The state of NYC relies on property owners when it comes to sidewalk maintenance and repair. This includes snow removal, repairs, and keeping debris away. In addition to that, the law states that you will be responsible for the installation and maintaining the sidewalk’s integrity. There are a lot of factors that can damage your sidewalk. Let’s look.
Sidewalk Damaging Factors
There are a lot of factors that can damage your sidewalk. The important thing to remember is that you will be liable for all the accidents and injuries. If your sidewalk is violated, you will get a violation notice from the DOT. Here are some of the common defects that can happen to a sidewalk.
Uneven surface – this can create tripping hazards. If there are uneven surfaces on your sidewalk, you need to repair them as soon as possible. People can trip and fall on it. Not to mention, you can get a violation notice for that.
Collapsed sidewalk – if some section of your sidewalk is collapsed, it can be highly dangerous. You should take care of it immediately. You should consider replacing the entire curb. Besides, if you do not do that, you will have to pay hefty fines.
Tree roots – roots from nearby trees can cause serious problems. The Department of Parks and Recreation would encourage you for a sidewalk repair. You should remember that cutting or shaving city-owned trees is not allowed.
Sidewalk Repair Tips
The sidewalk repair Manhattan department of transportation often inspects the sidewalks all around the city. If they find any irregularity on your sidewalk, they will issue a violation notice. You will have 75 days after that notice to address all the issues. You should remember that if you fail to do so, the DOT will do the job for you. But keep in mind that you will have to pay the cost along with fines. The best practice is to maintain your sidewalk to avoid any trouble.
Concrete is a strong building material, but it can crack under various circumstances. If you see any cracks or holes on your sidewalk, there are a couple of things you can do.
Keep Sidewalk Clean
Sidewalk cleanliness is important for many reasons. For instance, it will prolong its life if you regularly clean it. You also need to remove any dust or debris from its surface. You can use a broom for that. A fire hose will also do a fine job in this regard.
Checking for Cracks & Holes
The uneven surfaces and cracks are a start to the end of your sidewalk. You should keep an eye on them. We would suggest you fix them as soon as they appear. This will help you create a smooth and even surface for pedestrians.
Sidewalk Replacement
The DOT encourages you to hire a professional sidewalk repair Bronx contractor for this kind of job. You can do it by yourself if you have certain tools. In addition to that, you will have to take permission from certain departments which can be a hassle. To avoid all this, simply hire a professional and let them do this job for you.
By following all these tips, you can avoid costly sidewalk repairs. Furthermore, this will prolong your sidewalk’s life.
