Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2019 and may now be outdated.
Prices of concrete sidewalk repair start at $25 per square metre. Just like with every other type of concreting job, this price may vary extensively, depending on different factors. If your sidewalk is severely damaged, the price will be higher than if it is just one or two small cracks in it.
Again, there are some easy repairs, and there are instances when you need to resurface or even replace an entire concrete slab. It is difficult for somebody who isn’t a professional concreter to determine the level of your sidewalk damage. That is why it is advisable to talk to a professional and ask them about the quotes for your concrete slab repair.
The less severe damage to your concrete sidewalk is cracking. If it is not too deep, it can be easily repaired. Even if you don’t mind the appearance of the cracked concrete, cracks can lead to much more serious and deep damage.
For example, water from rain, draining, and other sources can stay in the concrete cracks for prolonged periods of time. This will influence the structure of your concrete and demolish your sidewalk. Therefore, make sure the cracks are taken care of before this happens.
You can do the easy repairs like this yourself. To repair concrete cracks, you need to:
In a short while, the filler will cure, and your crack will be filled. In this way, you will prevent the crack from expanding and ruining your concrete slab. Also, it will make your concrete sidewalk look much better.
If your concrete slab is in much worse shape than just a couple of cracks on it, you may have to go for the entire concrete resurfacing. This is a project that is best left to the professionals.
You can expect your concrete resurfacing to cost anywhere between $50 and $85 per square metre. This job is done in two phases:
We have already discussed the concrete repair. It involves cleaning the concrete slab and applying epoxy adhesives to level out the cracks. The same process should be done with any sort of holes in the concrete, as well.
Once the concrete is nice and sealed, you need to check for any other imperfections, as well. This is the perfect opportunity to level some uneven surfaces on your concrete sidewalk or grind some parts that you don’t think look well.
When you have your concrete nice and ready, it is time to add another layer of concrete. This is usually done with the spray-on concrete that is easy to apply. Before the application, there should be some sort of primer applied to the surface.
With the spray on concrete distributed evenly over the entire surface of the concrete sidewalk, it is not your chance to change the appearance of your sidewalk using stencils or stamping.
When you resurface your sidewalk, it means that all the concrete finishes that you had before are underneath the same surface. You can choose the same pattern again, or you can go for a different finish this time.
The best thing about resurfacing is that you get the appearance of a brand-new sidewalk, and it is possible to walk over it within 12 hours.
In some cases, even this option isn’t enough, and you need to do a complete replacement of your concrete slab sidewalk. This is the most expensive and the most complicated option, especially because it involves digging up the already existing sidewalk.
It costs from $35 to $50 per m2 to remove a concrete slab. Add to that price at least $50 – $85 for fresh concreting, and you will come to the calculation that it costs anywhere from $95 to $135 to replace an easily accessible sidewalk, using plain concrete with no additional finishes.
The first thing that will happen is that your concreters will use a jackhammer to break your existing concrete path. This means destroying it and cutting it into pieces that can be disposed of in a proper manner. Keep in mind that some concreters will bring their own bin for such waste, while others will expect you to rent the concrete bin.
Image source: concreteremoval.com.au
Breaking the concrete is messy work, and removing all the debris from the sidewalk bed is a challenging task, but it has to be done. Once the bed is clean, it is time to pour the fresh concrete slab into it. However, if you and your concreter decide that the reason for your sidewalk deterioration was the lack of a good base, you should make a new gravel layer before pouring the concrete.
When everything is ready, the concrete is poured, levelled and properly cured. Good and solid curation of concrete is essential for its strength and durability, so make sure it is done properly.
Again, the complete ripping out of your concrete gives you a chance to change the appearance of your sidewalk. You can create different finishes this time and decorate it with some interesting stamping before sealing it. That is your option with resurfacing, as well.
However, with the total replacement of your concrete path, you can even change the width, length and other features of your walkway. You are practically building it from scratch, so you can recreate it in any way you like. Of course, your terrain must have some limitations, so it is best to hire a professional.
Don’t get intimidated by the idea of hiring professional concreters. It pays off to hire professionals for this kind of project because if they are not done well, it only means that you will have to do it all over again and pay again for the same work.
Get quotes from professional concreters without making any commitments in advance and see which one fits you the best.