Raise my Sidewalk?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
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From: Mercer County, OH
Raise my Sidewalk?
I have a section of sidewalk ~4'x5' that has settled over the years. This is the section that butts up to the front porch. I'd like to raise the end of it by about 2"-3" but I'm not sure of the best way to do it. Hire someone who does "slab jacking" or try to pry it up myself and insert some flat cinderblock spacers under it? Anyone here ever tackled this kind of project?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,269
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From: Where's my map???
What you have to do, is lift the slab and add crushed stone packed well, to bring up the height and level you want. If you try and chock it, expect the slab to crack some where down the road.
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
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Be careful jacking up that big slab .... I have 2 screws in my big toe from dropping one. What I finally did was bust up the slab with a sledge hammer (that'll teach you to break my toe!) and replace it with decorative bricks on top of sand. It looks great and if it moves, will be easy to fix.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,447
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From: Georgia
If it is just one 4x5 section I would try to lifting the low side with a prybar and shoveling some crusher run under it. You could shim it with a brick to get the gravel under there. Just pack the gravel as well as you can. The shovel handle can work wonders for packing it in. If it is not reinforced well the prybar may possibly break it but if it has not cracked during settling you should be fine. Once you get it packed and up to level you could backfill that side with some soil to make it look better and hold the gravel in.
I do not know how much slab raising costs. I am gonna venture a guess and say it probably would not be economically feasible for a non structural 4x5 sheet. I would still suggest getting an estimate to weigh out your options because I could be wrong.
I do not know how much slab raising costs. I am gonna venture a guess and say it probably would not be economically feasible for a non structural 4x5 sheet. I would still suggest getting an estimate to weigh out your options because I could be wrong.
Last edited by 70blue; Aug 14, 2007 at 12:45 PM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 575
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From: Orlando, FL
Without properly jacking it eventually it will break. If you are dead set against removing it and replacing, your best do it yourself bet would be to raise it by adding more concrete to the top. However, to do this properly you need to add at least an inch to the high side as well; thus messing up you riser distances. But if this is the route you want to go, you will need to reinforce the topping slab.
1st - bush hammer the existing slab and clean with compressed air to ensure the best possible adhesion. 2nd - form around the existing slab to keep the topping slab the same size. 3rd - place some wire mesh on top of the existing slab and run some tap cons into the existing slab to keep the mesh from moving while pouring and to also help hold the slab. 5th - pour and finish with at least 4000 psi, at least 5% air concrete with pea gravel aggrigate.
1st - bush hammer the existing slab and clean with compressed air to ensure the best possible adhesion. 2nd - form around the existing slab to keep the topping slab the same size. 3rd - place some wire mesh on top of the existing slab and run some tap cons into the existing slab to keep the mesh from moving while pouring and to also help hold the slab. 5th - pour and finish with at least 4000 psi, at least 5% air concrete with pea gravel aggrigate.
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