How do I protect sidewalks from Tree Root Damage?

As you walk along the streets and roads, trees are a common sight. They offer numerous environmental benefits. However, they can also cause issues for people. One of the most frequent problems is overgrown tree roots. These roots can damage sidewalks, leading to hazards like slips and falls.

While tree roots are unstoppable, the damage they cause to sidewalks can be managed. Cracked or uneven sidewalks pose risks to pedestrians and can lead to costly lawsuits. To avoid this hassle, if your sidewalk gets damaged by tree roots, you should take expert services to fix the problem before it puts you in trouble.

In this blog, we will look at how overgrown tree roots destroy sidewalks and how to repair cracked sidewalks. 

Signs Indicating the Damaged Sidewalks 

Tree roots can easily and quickly repair minor damage. If you ignore these tiny issues, they will grow into bigger difficulties, resulting in a costly repair project. Let us help you understand the cause of the damage.

• Formation of cracks on the concrete slab as a result of root pressure. 
• The slabs are lifted from their current placements.
• The sidewalk's surface becomes uneven.
• Weeds and small plants begin to grow in the cracks of the sidewalk. 
• Water from the soil accumulates on the surface of slabs, causing water pooling. 

Best Methods to Repair Sidewalks Damaged by Tree Roots

To fix overgrown tree roots, you must have the necessary knowledge, tools, and procedures. You can only repair your sidewalks on your own when you have extensive knowledge and specialized tools. Let us discuss some effective methods that you can utilize.

Root Pruning

The process of clipping the ends of roots to prevent them from spreading and causing further harm to the sidewalks is known as root pruning.

There are three main types of root pruning:

Mechanical Root Pruning

In this method, roots are pruned along their whole outer boundary using tools such as pruners and trenchers. 

• Advantage: Suitable for larger plants. 
• Disadvantage: Not as precise as other approaches.

Air Pruning

It involves removing the tree's roots from the soil and exposing them to dry, low-humidity air. This will burn out the ends of the roots, causing them to stop developing. 

• Advantage: Minimizes plant health damage.
• Disadvantage: It is difficult to meet the conditions of low humidity.

Targeted Root Pruning

Certain roots may grow longer and spread faster than others, causing significant damage. Targeted root trimming removes certain roots while leaving others unharmed. 

• Advantage: More specific to a few roots.
• Disadvantage: It cannot prune the entire root system.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine which root-trimming approach is required for tree root removal. In this case, it is advisable to consult a licensed arborist or contact NYC Parks. The tree physicians working with NYC Parks can make a better recommendation based on the size of the overgrown root, the type of plant, and your budget.

Sidewalk Repair

The second most common approach to preventing further damage is to repair your sidewalks. Each method has its suitability based on the damage that occurred to the sidewalks. More damage adds to the cost of the sidewalk repair projects. 

Patching of the Concrete: Concrete patching is the process of utilizing a concrete mixture to repair fractures and minor holes. This procedure is appropriate for repairing minor sidewalk damage. 

Replacing the Pavers: Pavers are replaced when they have become damaged. Concrete, stone, and flexible pavers are all options. This is useful for replacing heavily damaged pavers. 

Foam Lifting: In this method, foam is used to lift the sunken slab and level it with the others. This procedure is faster and more dependable.

Slab Replacement: If the entire slab is damaged, it is replaced with new concrete. This procedure is effective for repairing broken slabs over time. 

Mudjacking: Mudjacking is the process of drilling a hole. The sunken slab is then leveled with the rest of the slabs using a cement, water, and dirt slurry mixture pushed into the hole. It is reasonably priced and suited for sinking sidewalk slabs.

How do I prevent root damage?

Some strategies encourage tree planting while minimizing damage to roadways and sidewalks. You can use these strategies to reduce the cost of tree root damage.

Use a non-invasive: Root System: Some plants, such as Japanese maple, have non-invasive roots that do not spread far. These plants cause minimal or no damage to sidewalks. 

Install Root Barriers: You can install root barriers to prevent tree roots from damaging your property. Use rubber and fiberglass panels to prevent root growth. 

Legal Considerations

If you meet certain requirements, NYC parks will pay for tree root damage. If you do not request tree root damage repair on your property, you might be responsible for any accidents or injuries. If you are unaware of the rules and procedures, you must consult a local contractor in NYC to assist you. To understand who is responsible for sidewalk repairs in Manhattan, check out our detailed guide.

Conclusion

Neglecting tree reboot damage on your sidewalk can lead to more serious problems. Fixing the broken sidewalks is necessary for the safety of pedestrians and to avoid any legal liabilities. To get rid of these damages, you can get help with the repair process from a licensed contractor. When it comes to tree root repair, DOT Sidewalk Repair Contractor has the most committed and certified workers.