How to Fix a Sunken Sidewalk

If you have a sidewalk slab that is sinking, chances are there is an underlying issue with water. There are a few options to fix this problem without having the whole slab removed and replaced. One option is slab jacking which lifts the slab and adds a stabilizing material. Another option, which you can venture to do yourself, is parging a new layer of modified mortar mix onto the sinking slab to level it from the top.

Slab jacking is a process where the sinking sidewalk is restored to its original position by lifting the slab and filling the space below with a cement mortar injection most commonly. It does not always address the actual reason why the sidewalk is sinking, but it does fix the uneven sidewalk surface

A concrete overlay topping mix is another viable option for repair. This can be done with a heavily modified cement mix. Overlay mixtures can be bought or you can make your own with general use portland cement, sand, concrete acrylic or latex fortifier, and water.

The acrylic or latex fortifier adds strength to the mortar mix to allow a thin layer. A regular mortar mix without the added fortifier cannot be thinner than about 1/4 inch. With acrylic or latex added to the mortar mix, it can be finished to a feathered edge or zero edge. With these tips and tricks, you can have your sinking sidewalk repaired whether you take on the challenge yourself, or hire a professional to perform the task.

00:00 - Option 1: Slab Jacking
01:29 - Option 2: Add Concrete to Level Out Sidewalk
02:26 - Overlay Cement Product for Zero Edge
03:09 - Recipe for DIY Overlay Cement Mix
06:09 - Benefits of Acrylic or Latex Fortifier
06:41 - Important Step Before Applying Overlay Mix
07:33 - Conclusion - Fixing a Sunken Sidewalk

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