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The concrete you walk on has one job that matters more than any other: do not trip anyone. A panel lifted by a root, a patio corner that has dropped, a step with a broken edge. Each is a small thing until someone catches a toe on it.
Sidewalk, patio and step repair in Fort Lauderdale
We repair front walks, side-yard sidewalks, back patios, lanais, entry stoops and outdoor steps. Some jobs are a single panel. Others are a whole patio that needs a new surface. We look at what is causing the problem and fix that along with the concrete.
What makes sidewalks lift and crack here?
Tree roots are the main cause. Fort Lauderdale’s big shade trees, especially ficus, banyan and live oak, send roots just under the surface, and a root can lift a sidewalk panel an inch or more in a few years. The other causes are sandy soil washing out from under a slab, and water from roofs and sprinklers that runs along the edge of the concrete.
How is a sidewalk trip hazard fixed?
It depends on how high the lip is.
- A small lip can often be ground down to a smooth slope. This is fast and low cost.
- A panel that has lifted or dropped a lot should be removed and re-poured. If a root is under it, we deal with the root or shape the new panel to give it room.
- A panel that has broken into pieces is replaced.
New panels are poured with clean joints that line up with the old ones, so the walk looks planned.
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
It varies by town and by where the sidewalk sits. Sidewalks along the street are usually in the public right of way, and work there can need a city permit even when the owner is the one paying for it. We sort out who needs to approve the work before we start, so you do not get a surprise later.
Patio repair
Patios crack, settle and wear like any slab. The common repairs are:
- Filling and sealing cracks
- Replacing a sunken or broken section
- Resurfacing a worn or stained patio with a new texture
- Fixing drainage so water runs away from the house
If water pools on your patio after rain, tell us. A slab that slopes toward the house or holds water can often be corrected during the repair. A channel drain can be added where there is no other way to move the water.
Can concrete steps be repaired?
Yes. Steps fail at the edges first, where feet land and water sits. We rebuild chipped and broken edges with repair mortar, fill cracks, and can resurface the whole set so the treads match. Steps that have pulled away from the house or cracked through usually need to be rebuilt.
On steps we always finish with a texture that grips when wet. Smooth steps in a place with daily summer rain are asking for a fall.
Repair or replace a patio?
A patio with a solid base and a tired surface is a great candidate for concrete resurfacing. A patio that has broken into several pieces or dropped at one end is better replaced, at least in that area. Many jobs are a mix: one or two new sections, then a new surface over everything so it all matches.
Fixing drainage while we are there
A lot of sidewalk and patio trouble starts with water. A walk that sits lower than the lawn turns into a stream in a storm. A patio that tilts toward the house sends water to the door. When we replace or resurface a section, we set the slope so water runs off and away, usually about a quarter inch for every foot. Where there is nowhere for the water to go, a channel drain or a small swale can carry it off. It costs little to get this right during a repair and a lot to live with it wrong.
Entry stoops and thresholds
The small slab at a front or back door gets more foot traffic than any other concrete at a house. Stoops crack at the corners, settle away from the wall and wear smooth. We repair edges, fill the gap at the wall with a flexible joint, and resurface with a finish that grips. If the stoop has dropped enough to make a tall step up to the door, replacing it at the right height is the safer fix.
What if the sidewalk is shared or belongs to an association?
In townhome and condo communities, walks are often common property. We are glad to look and give an estimate, but the association usually has to approve the work. Tell us who manages the property and we can send the estimate to them.
How long does the work take?
Grinding a lip takes a few hours. Replacing a few sidewalk panels is usually a one or two day job, and you can walk on new concrete after about a day. Patio resurfacing takes two to four days with curing time.
What does sidewalk and patio repair cost?
Small repairs such as grinding or one panel are among the least expensive jobs we do. Patios vary with size, access and finish. See our concrete repair cost guide for what affects the price.
Cracks without any lifting may only need concrete crack repair. Once the work is done, concrete sealing keeps stains and mildew down.
