Las Vegas walkways usually fail because water from drip lines, sprinklers or downspouts reaches the soil underneath. A lasting walk has compacted soil and a gravel base, a slight cross-slope, regular control joints and isolation joints at the house and block walls. Public sidewalks are in the right-of-way, handled by your city or Clark County.
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Walkways in Las Vegas include the front walk to the door, the side-yard path between the house and block wall, and paths through desert landscaping in the backyard. These narrow slabs often sit right next to drip emitters, planters and downspouts, which is why they are frequently where settling and cracking show up first.
Common walkway projects
- New front walks and entry landings
- Side-yard paths for trash cans, pool equipment and AC units
- Paths through new desert landscaping after a lawn removal
- Replacing cracked or sunken sections
- Steps and landings on sloped foothill lots
- Widening walks for strollers, wheelchairs or walkers
Water is the main enemy here
In the valley, the most common reason a walkway sinks is water getting under it. A leaking drip line, a sprinkler aimed at the slab or a downspout that empties at its edge can soften the subgrade or wash out fill. Some valley soils settle sharply the first time they are soaked, and others swell. Before replacing a sunken walk, find and fix the water source, and ask the contractor to move irrigation lines rather than pour over them.
Building a walk that stays flat
The soil is compacted, a gravel base is placed, and the walk is poured with a slight cross-slope so water sheds off. Control joints are tooled at regular intervals, often about the width of the walk or a bit more apart, so cracks form in predictable lines. Where the walk meets the house, steps, a block wall or the driveway, an isolation joint lets each piece move on its own.
Side yards and block walls
Side yards in Las Vegas are often narrow, with the house on one side and a block wall on the other. Concrete may have to be wheeled in, and the crew needs to keep the walk from draining toward the wall footing or the house. If utility meters, pool equipment or AC pads sit in the side yard, plan around them.
Steps
Steps need consistent riser heights and tread depths. Steps that serve an entrance may fall under building code rules, including handrails above a certain number of risers. Ask whether a permit is needed in your city or in unincorporated Clark County.
Public sidewalks
The sidewalk along the street is usually public right-of-way. In the City of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City that means the city; in unincorporated towns such as Spring Valley, Enterprise and Summerlin South, Clark County Public Works issues encroachment permits for work in the right-of-way. Responsibility for repairs also varies, so check with the right agency before you replace any public sidewalk.
Repair or replace?
- Hairline cracks are usually cosmetic.
- Sunken panels that are intact can often be lifted. See concrete repair and leveling.
- Broken or heaved panels are usually replaced joint to joint.
Questions to ask
- What base and thickness will you use?
- Will you relocate drip lines and sprinkler heads near the walk?
- How will the walk drain away from the house and block wall?
- Is a permit needed for steps or right-of-way work, and who obtains it?
Have a trip hazard or a new path in mind? Request a walkway contractor.
See how it works
Frequently asked questions
Why does my side-yard walkway keep sinking?
The most common cause is water. Look for leaking drip lines, sprinklers spraying the slab or a downspout at its edge. Fix the water source before lifting or replacing the walk.
Who handles the public sidewalk in front of my house?
Inside the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City, the city does; in unincorporated areas, Clark County Public Works does. Responsibility for repairs and permit rules vary, so check before working on it.
Will a new section match my old walkway?
New concrete rarely matches older, sun-weathered concrete exactly. Replacing whole sections between joints usually looks cleaner than patching.
Sources and further reading
- Nevada State Contractors Board: license requirements
- Nevada State Contractors Board: Residential Recovery Fund
- Nevada Administrative Code 624.230: C-5 concrete contracting classification
- USA North 811 (Nevada and Northern California)
- Southern Nevada Water Authority: Water Smart Landscapes rebate
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology: Subsidence in Las Vegas Valley, 1980-91
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension (Southern Nevada soils and caliche)
- Clark County Public Works: encroachment permits
- City of Las Vegas: permits and licenses
- Boulder City: driveway aprons
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)