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Driveways:
 | The driveway from the street to the garage, carport or parking pad of
the residence may be dirt, gravel or paved with a hard, solid surface,
such as concrete or macadam. Solid surfaces should be sloped slightly to
one side, so that water will be directed away from house and foundation
area. Some cracking in driveways can be expected, however, they should not
cause a tripping hazard, erosion or in any way negatively impact the
house. |
| Asphalt bituminous or macadam surfaces are common driveway surfaces.
This type of material develops surface cracks as it ages. Cracks that go
through the entire thickness of the material are the result of heavy loads
or an inadequate base. Through cracks cannot be repaired without removing
that section of the asphalt driveway and repairing and compacting the
subsoil underneath. Filling or re-coating the surface can repair minor
cracking from aging of the asphalt surface. |
| Concrete is an excellent driveway surface. Concrete is prone to
cracking as a result of normal expansion and contraction, frost heaving or
an inadequate base. Heaving may occur if water gets under the concrete and
freezes, forcing the surface up. Improperly mixed concrete and concrete
that has not been properly cured, may deteriorate very rapidly. |
| Be sure that the driveway is not sloped towards the house. If the
residence is situated lower than the street level, it is important that a
“catch basin” or “drainage area” be incorporated in the driveway prior to
the drive reaching the residence or garage. This type of drain should be
free flowing, so that the water is not discharged near the structure. |
| The minimum width of a driveway area is 8 feet, although 9 feet is
preferred. If the driveway is used both for cars and a walkway, it should
be at least 10 feet wide. |
Sidewalk maintenance problems:
Step separation:
| A vertical displacement of 13 mm (0.5 in) or greater at any
point on the walkway that could cause pedestrians to trip or prevent the
wheels of a wheelchair or stroller from rolling smoothly. |
Badly cracked concrete:
| Holes and rough spots ranging from hairline cracks to indentations
wider than 13 mm (0.5 in). |
Spalled areas:
| Fragments of concrete or other building material detached from larger
structures. |
Raised or Settled areas that trap water:
| Sidewalk segments with depressions, reverse cross slopes, or other
indentations that make the sidewalk path lower than the curb. These
depressions trap silt and water on the sidewalk and reduce the slip
resistant nature of the surface. |
Tree root damage:
| Roots from trees growing in adjacent landscaping that cause the
walkway surface to buckle and crack. |
Vegetation overgrowth:
| Ground cover, trees, or shrubs on properties or setbacks adjacent to
the path that have not been pruned can encroach onto the path and create
obstacles. |
Obstacles:
| Objects located on the sidewalk, in setbacks, or on properties
adjacent to the sidewalk that obstruct the passage space. Obstacles
commonly include trash receptacles, utility poles, newspaper vending
machines, and mailboxes. |
General Safety:
| Any safety issue that a pedestrian or sidewalk inspector believes
should merit attention. |
| Blocked drainage inlets and inadequate flow planning. |
| Temporary construction interruptions. |
| Inadequate patching after utility installation. |
Maintenance responsibilities:
| Although sidewalks are usually elements of the public right-of-way,
some city charters assign the responsibility for sidewalk upkeep to the
owner of the adjacent property. City charters commonly specify that the
city cannot be held liable for any accidents or injuries incurred due to
sidewalk conditions. |
| When homeowners and businesses are responsible for sidewalk
maintenance, they are allowed to decide whether to hire a contractor,
perform repairs on their own, or have the city do the repair. Homeowner
associations in some neighborhoods address right-of-way maintenance as a
group to minimize the cost to individual members. In some areas, the city
will subsidize property owners for sidewalk repairs. Local laws may also
dictate whether or not a homeowner must hire a professional contractor to
undertake sidewalk repair. Regardless of the approach for sidewalk
maintenance, municipal inspectors should review and approve all repairs to
guarantee that the improved sidewalk meets pedestrian access needs. |
| Check with your local authorities to find out who is responsible for
sidewalk maintenance, clearing snow, etc. This information will prove
very valuable to you if you are responsible for upkeep & maintenance of
the sidewalks that run through your property. |
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