A concrete walkway lasts in Dallas-Fort Worth when it's poured on compacted soil and a base, reinforced, jointed closely and sloped to shed water. Uneven watering, tree roots and expansive clay are common causes of lifted panels. Public sidewalks are usually in the city right-of-way, where permits and contractor registration often apply.
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Walkways are narrow slabs, and on Dallas-Fort Worth clay that makes them the first concrete to show movement. A front walk that sits next to a flower bed watered every few days and a dry lawn on the other side can tilt, crack and lift at its joints. Tree roots, settling backfill near the house and runoff from roofs add to the list. The result is the offset edge that catches a toe.
Common walkway projects
- New front walks from the driveway to the door
- Side-yard paths to gates, trash cans and the back patio
- Replacing cracked, heaved or sunken panels
- Concrete steps and landings at entries and on sloped lots
- Widening a walk for a stroller, wheelchair or walker
Building a walk that stays flat
Like any slab, a walkway depends on what's under it. The soil is shaped and compacted, a base is placed, and the walk is poured with a slight cross-slope so water sheds off. On expansive clay, rebar and closely spaced control joints help keep panels aligned when the ground moves. Isolation joints where the walk meets the house, steps or driveway let each piece move separately. Consistent watering on both sides of a walk also helps, because the clay moves most where moisture changes sharply.
Tree roots
Live oaks, cedar elms and other shade trees are a big reason walks lift in older Dallas and Fort Worth neighborhoods. Cutting large roots can injure or destabilize a tree, and some cities protect certain trees. Options include rerouting the path, bridging over roots or using a different material near the trunk. If a large tree is involved, get an arborist's opinion before the crew starts cutting.
Steps
Steps need consistent riser heights and tread depths so people don't trip. Steps at a required exit, or with enough risers to need a handrail, may fall under the building code your city has adopted. Requirements vary, so ask the contractor whether a permit is needed.
Public sidewalks
The sidewalk along the street is usually in the city right-of-way. In Fort Worth, the city says new or repaired sidewalks in the parkway need a parkway permit pulled by a bonded contractor, with a four-inch minimum sidewalk thickness. Dallas has issued paving permits for sidewalk work on city property through its permit center and runs its own sidewalk replacement program. Other cities, including Frisco, McKinney and Arlington, require right-of-way permits and contractor registration for work in the right-of-way. Who pays for repairs also varies, so check with your city's public works or engineering department before replacing a public sidewalk.
Repair or replace?
- Hairline cracks are usually cosmetic.
- Sunken panels that are otherwise intact can often be lifted. See concrete repair and leveling.
- Broken, heaved or crumbling panels are usually replaced one section at a time, joint to joint.
- Small raised edges can sometimes be ground down as a quick trip-hazard fix.
Questions to ask
- What base, thickness and reinforcement will you use?
- How will you handle tree roots and sprinkler lines near the walk?
- Will the new section match the old one? (Exact matches are difficult.)
- Does this need a city permit, and who obtains it?
Have a trip hazard or a new path in mind? Request a walkway contractor in Dallas-Fort Worth.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
It depends on your city. Some North Texas cities run sidewalk repair programs, and others expect adjacent owners to handle repairs. Work in the right-of-way usually needs a permit, so check with your city's public works or engineering department first.
Why does my walkway tilt toward the flower bed?
Clay soil swells where it's watered and shrinks where it's dry. A walk between a watered bed and a dry lawn often tilts or cracks as the soil moves differently on each side. Steadier watering and better drainage help.
Can a raised sidewalk edge be fixed without replacement?
Sometimes. A small raised edge can be ground down, and a sunken panel can often be lifted. Panels that are broken or heaved by roots are usually replaced from joint to joint.
Sources and further reading
- Texas Water Development Board: Houston Black, the Texas state soil
- National Weather Service Fort Worth: Dallas/Fort Worth climate narrative
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Texas 811: call before you dig
- City of Fort Worth: Residential Permitting
- City of Fort Worth: Parkway standards
- City of Dallas: Development Services forms (paving permits)
- City of Frisco: Right-of-Way
- City of McKinney: Right-of-Way Permits
- City of Plano: Building Permits
- City of Arlington: Do I Need a Permit? A DIY Guide
- North Texas Municipal Water District
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)