A Phoenix-area walkway stays flat when it's poured over compacted soil and a uniform base, sloped to shed water, jointed at regular intervals, and kept away from constant irrigation at the edges. Public sidewalks along the street are generally in the city's right-of-way, where local permit rules apply.
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Walkways are narrow slabs, which makes them sensitive to what happens at their edges. Around the Phoenix metro, the usual troublemakers are irrigation water soaking the soil beside the walk, roots from shade trees, and soil that was never compacted well after the house was built. The result is lifted joints, sunken panels and trip hazards.
Common walkway projects
- New or wider front walks from the driveway to the door
- Side-yard paths to gates, trash bins and pool equipment
- Paths through desert landscaping or around a pool
- Replacing cracked, heaved or sunken panels
- Low steps and landings at entries and patios
Building a walk that stays flat
A good walkway starts with compacted soil and a uniform base, a slight cross-slope so water sheds off, and control joints at regular intervals so shrinkage cracks form along straight lines. Isolation joints separate the walk from the house, driveway and steps. In the Valley, it also helps to keep drip emitters and sprinkler spray off the edges, since soil that stays wet on one side and dry on the other is a common cause of tilting panels.
Side yards
Side yards between a house and a block wall are often tight, with little room for equipment, and they collect runoff from roofs and neighbors. A walkway there should be graded so water moves toward the front or back and not against the foundation or the wall footing. If there's an irrigation valve box or utility line in the path, plan around it before the pour.
Tree roots
Mesquite, palo verde, ficus and other shade trees can lift walks over time. Cutting large roots can injure a tree, so options include rerouting the path, using a joint or gap near the tree, or choosing pavers or gravel in that spot.
Public sidewalks
The sidewalk along the street is generally in the public right-of-way. Who repairs it and whether a permit is needed depends on your city. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Glendale and Peoria each manage their own right-of-way, so check with your city's transportation or development services department before replacing a public sidewalk panel.
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?
- How will you deal with nearby irrigation, roots and valve boxes?
- Will the new section match the old one? (Exact matches are hard.)
- Is a permit needed for work in the right-of-way, and who gets it?
Have a trip hazard or a new path in mind for your Phoenix-area home? Request a walkway contractor.
See how it works
Frequently asked questions
Why do my walkway panels keep tilting?
Often the soil on one side stays wetter than the other, from drip emitters, sprinklers or a downspout. Moving the water source away from the edge and lifting or replacing the panels usually solves it.
Who fixes the sidewalk in front of my house?
It depends on your city. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Glendale and Peoria each manage their own right-of-way. Check with your city's transportation or development services department before repairing a public sidewalk.
Can a sunken walkway be lifted?
If the panel is intact and sank as a unit, slab lifting with cement slurry or polyurethane foam often works. Broken or root-heaved panels are usually replaced joint to joint.
Sources and further reading
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Managing Caliche in the Home Yard (AZ1281)
- ASCE study: residential foundations and expansive clay in the Phoenix Valley
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
- Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1121 (contractor license exemptions)
- Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-103: residential license classifications
- City of Phoenix: Driveway Policy for Single Family Development
- City of Phoenix Street Transportation: special permits
- City of Scottsdale: Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance
- SRP: residential irrigation basics
- Arizona 811: call before you dig